UPDATED: Waukee Weighs in on Gay Marriage Ruling

Republicans have lost the fight on marriage equality with Wednesday's 5-4 ruling by the United States Supreme Court which struck down a portion of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, says Dallas County Recorder Chad Airhart of Waukee.

Airhart, who supports marriage equality, said, "If you are a U.S. citizen, you are entitled to the same rights as every other citizen regardless of your skin color or religion. Today, the courts confirmed that you are entitled to the same rights regardless of who you choose to marry."

Waukee Democrat Sue Ellen Kennedy said, "I believe in equality for all our American citizens. It is a historical day for our nation. I wish the best for all those who have been waiting for this day. It is their life, not yours or mine. Go get married and be happy!"

Airhart says he is not a Republican because of his views on marriage.

"I am a Republican because I  believe in limited government, free enterprise and because I believe in personal freedoms and the pursuit of happiness," Airhart said. "My wife and I have been married for seven years, and I know that choosing a partner in life, could not be more central to personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness. A segment of the Republican Party has fought the war on the issue of marriage for many years now, and in my humble opinion, they have lost."

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in 2009. But a successful effort by former gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats and his Family Leader organization led to the ouster of three justices from the bench when they were up for retention.

Opponents of gay marriage want Iowans to vote on whether it should be legal, a move that was blocked in the Iowa Legislature by Sen. Michael Gronstal and Senate Democrats.

State Rep. Rob Taylor, R-West Des Moines, predicts Wednesday's ruling will renew the push for Iowans to vote on whether to allow gay marriage.

Deciding whether to allow gay marriage is "a state's rights issue and I think it's time for us, in the state of Iowa, to revisit this issue," Taylor said. "Voters in the state of Iowa have the right to vote on this issue."

Local Democrat Julia Zeisman says since the U.S. Constitution lists marriage as individual state's governance, the Supreme Court made the correct decision on DOMA "and should have been determined sooner. Iowa's Constitution proclaims equal rights for all as does the California Constitution, so it was the correct decision in regard to Prop 8."

The GOP must welcome people who chose civil marriage into the party, Airhart said.

"It is time to … stop waging this war. It is time that we not only tell them we need them in our party, but yes, we want them in our party. Republicans will always differ on certain issues. Quietly, I think many good Republicans have differed with those leading the fight against marriage equality for a long time. Now is the time for the party to accept those that choose civil marriage, and this needs to happen without vilifying them. It is time to bring people together."