Gov. John Kasich said he will support Attorney General Mike DeWine's appeal of an upcoming ruling by a federal judge that will require the state of Ohio to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Gov. John Kasich reaffirmed his position on gay marriage yesterday. He�s still against it.

Following an economic-development announcement at AmerisourceBergen in Lockbourne, Kasich said he supports Attorney General Mike DeWine�s appeal of an upcoming ruling by a federal judge that will require the state of Ohio to recognize same-sexmarriages performed in other states and areas where it�s legal.

�He is going to appeal it; he should,� Kasich said in response to a reporter�s question. Kasich�s comments on the subject were his first since U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Black announced his intentions on Friday.

DeWine�s office says if Black rules as he said he would, DeWine will appeal his decision to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and also seek an immediate stay to prevent the ruling from taking effect.

Black�s ruling is not expected to immediately affect Ohio�s ban on gay marriages inside the state.

�The people of the state, including me, voted years ago on a constitutional amendment to say that marriage is between a man and a woman,� Kasich said. �(Black) has overruled that in some respects, and that�s what a federal judge can do. But it doesn�t change the fact of how people voted.�

Kasich�s likely Democratic opponent in November, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, said the governor wasted an opportunity to send an important signal that Ohio is a tolerant and welcoming state.

�Not only is accepting the federal ruling the right thing to do, but increasingly businesses, conventions, and major sporting events are considering a state�s openness when deciding whether or not to bring their business here. Gov. Kasich�s announcement today was a step in the wrong direction for Ohio�s LGBT community and for our economy,� FitzGerald said in a statement.

David Pepper, DeWine�s electoral opponent, said he would not appeal Black�s decision because opposing same-sex marriage is indefensible.

�I believe your first and most important duty is to stand for the constitutional rights of citizens,� the former Hamilton County commissioner said. �You just don�t defend the law blindly."

Kasich was visiting AmerisourceBergen�s new distribution center, which is under construction and scheduled to open in the fall, creating about 100 jobs. Dozens of company employees and local officials were on hand for Kasich�s visit.

Dispatch Reporter Alan Johnson contributed to this story.

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