Delegate's Same-Sex Marriage Vote Draws Backlash

A state delegate whose district includes Derwood and parts of unincorporated Rockville is drawing heavy criticism for voting against the same-sex marriage bill.

Del. Sam Arora (D-Dist. 19) of Silver Spring was the lone member of the Montgomery County delegation to vote against the bill, which passed the House of Delegates on Friday and is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate this week.

Joshua Lapidus, Arora’s legislative aide, resigned in protest following the vote, the Washington Blade reported.

Arora has been largely silent on his vote, reportedly declining an on-camera interview with WJLA/ABC7 but issuing a statement via email that said: "This has been an emotional debate and I understand that there re those who disagree with my vote. Now that the bill has passed, I've turned my focus to my efforts [on other issues] in Maryland."

This week Arora sent emails to supporters promoting a bill to close a loophole in state law that allows ex-convicts to own rifles and shotguns and a bill to require people convicted of driving under the influence while a child was in their vehicle to install an ignition interlock device.

Maryland Juice has blogged extensively about Arora’s vote. The blog referred to him Wednesday as “temporary Maryland lawmaker Sam Arora.”

Maryland Juice published a roundup of criticism of Arora on Saturday under the heading “Sam Arora Becomes National Lightning-Rod & Internet Meme // MD Lawmaker Backstabbed Progressives.”

Arora, a former aide to Hillary Clinton, was elected in 2010 after a campaign that included support for marriage equality. He cosponsored the 2011 same-sex marriage legislation that died in the House after passage in the Senate.

Then, Daily Kos reported on Monday, Arora withdrew his sponsorship and tried to delete tweets supporting the bill.

That led a supporter to request that Arora return his campaign donation, americablog.com reported.

Del. Anne Kaiser (D-Dist. 14) of Burtonsville, an openly gay member of the legislature and one of several members of the county delegation who spoke to WTOP, said Arora's same-sex marriage vote damages his credibility.

Sen. Roger Manno (D-Dist. 19) of Silver Spring told WNAV that he was disappointed in Arora’s vote. The District 19 delegation has not discussed the 2014 election, Manno told WNAV.