NEW PHILADELPHIA - As the Republican nominee looking to become congressman in the 17th District, Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III supports Theresa Santai-Gaffney, Schuylkill County's register of wills and clerk of the Orphans' Court, and her effort in appealing the May 20 order declaring Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional.
Santai-Gaffney, whose office issues marriage licenses in the county, asked U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III on Friday to allow her to intervene in the case and appeal his decision.
Jones, whose chambers are in Harrisburg but who lives in Pottsville, joined several federal judges in overturning the ban.
Moylan said Saturday that he considered Santai-Gaffney a hero "for her courageous stance in petitioning the government in the legal underpinning of the Jones decision to be studied in the higher court."
Moylan announced his support at the First Responder Appreciation barbecue Saturday at the Simon Kramer Community and Recreation Center, New Philadelphia.
Santai-Gaffney is also Moylan's campaign manager for Schuylkill County in his run for Congress. Moylan said Santai-Gaffney originally wanted to step down as manager after making the motion Friday.
"I want to stand beside her and she will be a most valuable asset in moving forward," Moylan said. "She was worried about the negative publicity that would be garnered because of her stand, but I stand by her and her decision 100 percent."
Moylan noted the overwhelming support of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Congress supported the legislation 85-14 in the Senate and 342-67 in the House.
"The will of the people should not be overturned that lightly," Moylan said.
Any appeal will be heard by the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Gov. Tom Corbett, who had defended the law in court, has said he will not appeal that decision.
Congressman Matt Cartwright, D-17, has not yet issued a statement on the issue.