Bill McCleery

bill.mccleery@indystar.com

The Indiana Family Institute plans to name State Sen. Mike Delph as its "Legislator of the Year" on Thursday, citing the Carmel Republican's "unflinching support of the proposed marriage amendment."

Last winter, Delph fought furiously to bring a referendum on same-sex marriage to Indiana voters this fall. He earned a rebuke from his own party for harsh words against what he perceived as GOP legislative leaders' lack of commitment to that cause.

The measure, known as HJR-3, would have asked voters whether the state's constitution should define marriage as a compact solely between a man and woman. The proposed amendment failed to make it out of the Indiana General Assembly, but the fight made Delph a hero among some social conservatives and a villain among many wanting to legalize same-sex marriage.

In the fall election, Delph now faces a Democratic opponent, J.D. Ford, who is gay.

Ford said late Tuesday he is unimpressed by Delph's award.

"Unfortunately, I don't think this award is a representation of families in District 29," Ford said. "My opponent only wants to represent his version of families."

The leader of the conservative Indiana Family Institute, however, lauded Delph's efforts to bring the marriage amendment to Indiana voters.

"We value and respect Sen. Delph's unswerving commitment to faith, family and freedom, the pillars of what makes Indiana such a special place to call home," said Curt Smith, the organization's president, in a prepared statement.

Delph will receive the award at a reception Thursday preceding a dinner at which Gov. Mike Pence is scheduled to be the main speaker. The Indiana Family Institute describes itself as a faith-based organization that is "pro-family, pro-life and pro-religious liberty." Pence is a past board member of the organization.

The dinner — a $75-per-person affair — will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ritz Charles banquet hall in Carmel.

Delph called the award refreshing following the grief he received earlier this year over his opposition to same-sex marriage.

He earned particular notoriety for a Twitter free-for-all starting Feb. 13 and continuing into early Valentine's Day. Over 18 hours, Delph fired off more than 200 tweets, engaging virtually anyone who wanted to discuss his views.

The state Democratic Party recently sent out fliers in Delph's district criticizing the "strange Twitter rant." Delph has decried the Democratic attacks as negative campaigning aimed at mocking his faith.

"The culture has definitely moved away from traditional Judeo-Christian values," Delph said. "Somebody that stands upon biblical principles is not as well received by popular culture as some of our more progressive contemporaries such as those in the LGBT crowd."

Delph said he has no desire for a feud with people who are gay.

"We need, as people of faith, to recognize that there are alternative family lifestyles out there, and we need to be supportive of all people," Delph said. "At the same time, when we have a time-tested bedrock of society known as the two-parent family with a mom and dad, we need also to ask some hard questions such as , 'Would society be better if Mom and Dad were a team raising son and daughter?' "

Ford said it's time to focus on other issues besides same-sex marriage.

"The award (from the Indiana Family Institute) is not creating jobs, it's not improving our infrastructure, and it's not strengthening our public schools," Ford said. "I want to be a senator who is solution-oriented and gets results."

On that matter, Delph said, he and his opponent agree.

"There are much more pressing issues in the Indiana General Assembly economically," Delph said, "that I think will define this election."

Call Star reporter Bill McCleery at (317) 444-6083. Follow him on Twitter: @BillMcCleery01.