Now There Are 3!: Sen. Johnson (D-SD) Supports Marriage Equality

U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced he will not seek re-election in 2014.

Tim Johnson, just one of four Democratic United states Senators who had not publicly stated his support for marriage equality, became the 54th member of that august body to join the right side of history on Monday by issuing the following statement:

"After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation.  This position doesn't require any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding who can marry whom."  

Only senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), all of whom represent red states and two of whom are up for re-election in 2014, have not (yet) endorsed marriage equality. It should be noted that Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina represents a red state and is up for re-election in 2014 and she announced support for marriage equality more than a week ago.

That brings the total number of marriage equality supporters  in the Senate to 54. Any chance we can get to a "filibuster-proof" majority by the end of the year? Now that would be something. You can re-read my analysis here of which Senate Republicans I think will be next to support marriage equality.