Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett won't appeal gay marriage ruling

The Republican Pennsylvania governor said on Wednesday that he won't appeal Tuesday's ruling that struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban.

In a statement, Gov. Tom Corbett said state officials would "follow ... the provisions of Judge [John E.] Jones' order with respect for all parties," repots CNN. Corbett noted that while he still views marriage as between a man and a woman, he doesn't believe in the "likelihood of a successful appeal."

Corbett added, "Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal."

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane previously said she wouldn't defend the state statute or help appeal the ruling. CNN notes that others could appeal the ruling, but almost certainly would lack legal standing.

U.S. District Judge Jones ruled on Tuesday that despite how gay marriage might make some feel, "does not make its prohibition constitutional." Corbett initially defended the gay marriage ban in court.

National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown condemned the governor for choosing "to defend himself and his political aspirations" and not his personal views.

Jones' Tuesday ruling is just the latest court decision striking down gay marriage in the United States. Oregon's gay marriage ban was ruled unconstitutional on Monday.

While there was some opposition in court in Pennsylvania, no one defended Oregon's law and Multnomah County was actually prepared to immediately begin issuing marriage licenses should the law fall, as all others challenged so forth have.

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