Update: 4 in Minn. House GOP break ranks vote yes on gay marriage, DFL'er Sawatzky votes no

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Four Minnesota House Republicans have broken party ranks to pass a gay marriage bill, with two Democrats voting against it.

Thursday's 75-59 vote to legalize same-sex marriage sets up a Monday vote in the Senate, where supporters say they have sufficient backing.

No Republicans had declared their support heading into the House vote. But yes votes came from David FitzSimmons of Albertville, Pat Garofalo of Farmington, Andrea Kieffer of Woodbury and Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie.

Loon says she decided during the debate. Garofalo and FitzSimmons say an amendment to fortify religious protections was key. Kieffer was unavailable for comment.

The two Democrats against the marriage bill were Patti Fritz of Faribault and Mary Sawatzky of Willmar. Both come from districts that heavily supported a gay marriage ban.

Based on the feedback I’ve received from constituents, I feel that voting ‘no’ is the best way to represent the people of District 17B.” 

Here is how area state representatives voted on the same-sex marriage bill:

Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, no

Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, no

Roger Erickson, DFL-Baudette, yes

Steve Green, R-Fosston, no

David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, yes

Mary Murphy, DFL-Hermantown, yes

Ben Lien, DFL-Moorhead, yes

Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, yes

John Persell, DFL-Bemidji, yes

Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township, yes

Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing, yes

Jason Metsa, DFL-Virginia, yes

Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, yes

Erik Simonson, DFL-Duluth, yes

Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, no

Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, no

Mark Anderson, R-Lake Shore, no

Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, no

John Ward, DFL-Baxter, yes

Joe Radinovich, DFL-Crosby, yes

Mike Sundin, DFL-Esko, yes

Tim Faust, DFL-Hinckley, yes

Jay McNamar, DFL-Elbow Lake, yes

Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, no

Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, no

Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, no

Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, no

Andrew Falk, DFL-Murdock, yes

Mary Sawatzky, DFL-Willmar, no

Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, no

Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing, no

Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, no

Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, no

Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, no

Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, no

Kathy Lohmer, R-Lake Elmo, no

Andrea Kieffer, R-Woodbury, yes

Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park, yes

Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, no

Anna Wills, R-Apple Valley, no

Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, yes

This story includes contributions from Forum News Service and West Central Tribune.