Md. First Lady Apologizes For Calling Delegates Opposed To Gay Marriage 'Cowards'
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)-- Maryland First Lady Katie O'Malley issues an apology for calling members of the House of Delegates "cowards" for failing to pass same-sex marriage legislation last year.
Political reporter Pat Warren has more on Judge O'Malley's statements.
In a written statement, Judge O'Malley said she let her feelings get the better of her.
Sticking up for the governor's same-sex marriage bill, First Lady Katie O'Malley pointed to delegates who voted against a similar bill last session.
Judge O'Malley told the Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality in Baltimore that: "We didn't expect the things that happened to the House of Delegates to occur, but sadly, they did, and there were some cowards that prevented it from passing."
There are delegates taking exception to that.
"They're very angry," Del. Don Dwyer (R) from Anne Arundel County said. "I can assure you there are many members that are very, very angry."
The first lady later criticized Dwyer and others in the House for their opposition.
"I'm not sure why he is. Is it a religious thing or is it because he doesn't think he can get re-elected? I hear a lot of that from legislators like, 'Well, I'm for it but I might not get re-elected,' which I think is sort of lame," O'Malley said.
"Isn't every politician afraid of not being re-elected?" Dwyer said. "Isn't that what most politicians live for-- just to be re-elected?"
The first lady issued an apology Friday saying: "I regret my recent choice of words at the Creating Change Conference last night. I let my feelings get the better of me. I deeply respect that there are strongly held and differing views on marriage equality in Maryland."
Despite her regrets, the first lady may have alienated some of the very people the governor was trying to woo.
"I can't believe it," Dwyer said. "Honestly, I am shocked and amazed that a sitting judge would make that kind of a statement that would reveal her partiality and her prejudice."
Dwyer says that since the first lady's remarks, at least one delegate who was on the fence has now signed on to protect traditional marriage.
Governor O'Malley is scheduled to address the same LGBT conference on Sunday.
