Washington County marriage amendment supporter sees quiet support for ballot measure on campaign trail, strong support in church

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Larry Putnam believes there is a bloc of Minnesotans eager to vote for the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage — even if they’re not vocal.

As Putnam is out campaigning for conservative political candidates in the east metro area, he said he has encountered many people who quietly support the proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Putnam said the marriage amendment is a “hot issue” and some people just want to vote and not get into a public fray over the topic.

“People that believe in traditional marriage are going to be voting in favor of this thing,” said Putnam, of Woodbury. He said some amendment supporters aren’t pounding pro-amendment signs in their yard out of fear that they will get stolen or provoke neighborhood feuds.

There is little disagreement over the amendment within Putnam’s church, however. Like many congregations across Minnesota, members at Putnam’s New Life Church in Woodbury have taken a side in the amendment campaign.

There is almost unanimous support for the amendment among New Life congregants, Putnam said, and proponents are allowed to distribute “vote yes” signs at the church. New Life draws members from around south Washington County.

“I can’t even think of anyone yet that has wanted to vote ‘no’ on it,” he said.

Putnam said passing the amendment is important to him because he thinks the alternative is the eventual overturning of a state law banning gay marriage.

“If this passes, then no judge can overturn it. That’s a big issue,” he said. “I just believe in marriage. It’s the building block of our society. Marriage is already in trouble with all the divorce and harm that comes to families from divorce. To water it down more, to me it’s scary to think (about the country’s future).”

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