New Obama for America co-chairs endorse freedom to marry plank in 2012 National Democratic Platform

Breaking news tonight, and we're pretty excited about it! Moments ago, the Advocate broke the news that four additional co-chairs of Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign have endorsed our campaign to include a freedom to marry plank in the Democratic Party's 2012 Platform.

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Representative Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), all co-chairs of President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, have joined a growing number of elected officials and more than 28,000 voters nationwide who are calling on the Democratic Party's Platform to officially support marriage for same-sex couples at the National Democratic Convention this September in Charlotte.

Our National Campaign Director Marc Solomon released this statement following the Advocate's story this evening:

“This outpouring of support from elected officials and trusted Democratic advisers is phenomenal. At its best, the Democratic Party stands strongly for freedom and equality for every American. Over the coming weeks and months, we will build and grow this campaign and make the case to Democrats throughout the country that a freedom to marry plank is just, politically smart, and what Democratic voters expect of their Party.”

Just earlier today, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was the first Attorney General to endorse the plank in a letter he sent to the Democratic Party Platform Drafting Committee. US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, who also serve as co-chairs of Obama's reelection campaign, endorsed the plank earlier this week. Combined with support from HRC's President Joe Solmonese, seven total co-chairs of the President's reelection campaign are on record supporting this effort.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Young Democrats of America Executive Director Emily Sussman, and the co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have also endorsed the plank.

More than 28,00 Americans have joined us in calling on the Democrats to do the right thing. Click here to add your name.