Wash. senator declares victory in R-71 campaign

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Writer Published: Nov 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM PST
Wash. senator declares victory in R-71 campaign
Eric Pedersen, left, his partner Rep. Jamie Pedersen, Pete-e Petersen, and Sen. Ed Murray cheer at an Election Night party for supporters of Referendum 71, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Seattle. Referendum 71 asked voters to either approve or reject the so-called "everything but marriage" law passed by the Legislature earlier this year. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle lawmaker who spearheaded Washington state's "everything but marriage" law for same-sex couples has declared victory in the campaign to uphold the law.

Sen. Ed Murray issued a statement Wednesday night saying that it was a "great day of celebration for the tens of thousands of gay and lesbian families in Washington, and for anyone who supports equality in our state and around the country."

With about 56 percent of the expected vote counted Wednesday night, Referendum 71 was leading 51 percent to 49 percent.

The measure asked voters to approve or reject the final expansion to the state's domestic partnership law, which grants registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples.

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