Some Minnesota Lawmakers Face Gay Marriage Conflict

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers got a strong pulse of where their constituents stand in the statewide vote on a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

That knowledge will give some legislators cover and others concern in future gay rights debates, including a possible push for legalization of gay marriage.

An analysis by The Associated Press of Tuesday's vote identified 55 members of the incoming Legislature who would be forced to choose between the prevailing tide in their party and signals sent by constituents. The data would undoubtedly be used by both sides to exert pressure on a highly controversial matter.

Already, some Democrats in the new majorities say they plan to open a gay marriage campaign. But they will surely find squeamishness in their own ranks.

If the newly Democratic-led Legislature takes up measures to expand gay rights in 2013, it will put a particular spotlight on lawmakers from districts where votes on a constitutional gay-marriage ban didn't line up with the prevailing view of their own party.

Here's a look at the electoral mismatches:

REPUBLICANS FROM DISTRICTS WHERE A MAJORITY OPPOSED THE AMENDMENT TO BAN GAY MARRIAGE:

Sen. Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes

Sen. Dan Hall of Burnsville

Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie

Sen.-elect Karin Housley of St. Marys Point

Sen. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove

Sen.-elect David Osmek of Mound

Sen. John Pederson of St. Cloud

Sen.-elect Eric Pratt of Prior Lake

Rep. Sarah Anderson of Plymouth

Rep. Mike Beard of Shakopee

Rep. Matt Dean of Dellwood

Rep. Bob Dettmer of Forest Lake

Rep. Steve Gottwalt of St. Cloud

Rep.-elect Jerry Hertaus of Greenfield

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg of Lakeville

Rep. Joe Hoppe of Chaska

Rep. Kathy Lohmer of Lake Elmo

Rep. Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie

Rep. Andrea Kieffer of Woodbury

Rep. Tara Mack of Apple Valley

Rep. Denny McNamara of Hastings

Rep. Pam Myhra of Burnsville

Rep.  Joyce Peppin of Rogers

Rep.-elect Cindy Pugh of Chanhassen

Rep. Linda Runbeck of Circle Pines

Rep. Tim Sanders of Blaine

Rep.-elect Mark Uglem of Champlin

Rep.-elect Anna Wills of Apple Valley

Rep. Kurt Zellers of Maple Grove

DEMOCRATS FROM DISTRICTS WHERE A MAJORITY SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENT TO BAN GAY MARRIAGE:

Sen.-elect Kent Eken of Twin Valley

Sen.-elect Vicki Jensen of Owatonna

Sen. Tony Lourey of Kerrick

Sen. Lyle Koenen of Clara City

Sen. Tom Saxhaug of Grand Rapids

Sen.-elect Matt Schmit of Red Wing

Sen. Rod Skoe of Clearbrook

Sen. Dan Sparks of Austin

Sen. LeRoy Stumpf of Plummer

Sen. David Tomassoni of Chisholm

Rep. Tom Anzelc of Balsam Twp.

Rep. David Dill of Crane Lake

Rep.-elect Roger Erickson of Baudette

Rep. Andrew Falk of Murdock

Rep. Patti Fritz of Faribault

Rep. Paul Marquart of Dilworth

Rep. -elect Jay McNamar of Elbow Lake

Rep. Carly Melin of Hibbing

Rep.-elect Jason Metsa of Virginia

Rep. John Persell of Bemidji

Rep. Jeanne Poppe of Austin

Rep.-elect Joe Radinovich of Crosby

Rep.-elect Mary Sawatzky of Willmar

Rep.-elect Shannon Savick of Wells

Rep.-elect Mike Sundin of Esko

Rep. John Ward of Brainerd

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved)