urer and trial consultant in Des Moines, Streit is an arbitrator at the Des Moines firm of Ahlers & Cooney, and Baker is a mediator in Cedar Rapids.

They also continue to stand up for judicial independence, as they did in 2012, when they received the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

"We knew that our decision would be unpopular with many people, and we even knew in the back of our minds that we could lose our jobs because of our votes in that case," Ternus said in her acceptance speech. "But we took an oath of office in which we promised to uphold the Iowa Constitution without fear, favor or hope of reward, and that is what we did."

A second campaign in 2012 to unseat Justice David Wiggins failed. The remaining Varnum v. Brien justices, current Chief Justice Mark Cady and Justices Daryl Hecht and Brent Appel, face retention votes in 2016.

The Des Moines Register spoke with Baker and Streit about how the case changed their careers and changed Iowa, and with legal experts and opponents who were instrumental in their ouster. Ternus and the sitting justices declined to comment for this story; their words come from archival material.

Before the arguments

David Baker, former justice: I knew the case was coming at the time I got appointed. Everybody knew it was out there.... We all had these three-ring binders that were 6 inches thick. It was like 5,000 pages of things we had to read, review and prepare for. I remember sitting at my daughter's swim meets in college with the binder.

Marsha Ternus, former chief justice: We were aware of what the popular opinion was about same-sex marriage in Iowa, and in fact there had been demonstrations outside the Judicial Branch Building prior to the oral arguments in the case.

Arguments, Dec. 9, 2008

Michael Streit, former justice: The argument day itself was a big deal. The courtroom was full, and the theater down on the first floor was full. It was emotional. An hour is what it was set for, and it went longer than that.... I think the attorneys did a great job in the case, but it's hard to argue the position when the only argument they have is the state interest in protecting procreation, which is pretty feeble. Why would you let old people get married over 50
urer and trial consultant in Des Moines, Streit is an arbitrator at the Des Moines firm of Ahlers & Cooney, and Baker is a mediator in Cedar Rapids. 

 They also stay to digest up for judicial independence, as they did in 2012, when they received the esteemed John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. 

 " We knew that our decision would be unpopular with many people, and we even know in the back of our minds that we could misplace our jobs because of our votes in that character, " Ternus said in her acceptance lecture. " But we took an oath of office in which we promised to uphold the Iowa Constitution without fear, party favor or hope of reward, and that is what we did. " 

 A second political campaign in 2012 to unseat Justice David Wiggins failed. The remaining Varnum v. Brien justices, current Chief Justice Mark Cady and Justices Daryl Hecht and Brent Appel, face retention vote in 2016. 

 The Des Moines Register spoke with Baker and Streit about how the case changed their careers and changed Iowa, and with legal expert and opponents who were instrumental in their ouster. Ternus and the sitting justices declined to comment for this report; their discussion come from archival material. 

 Before the arguments 

 David Baker, former justice: I knew the case was coming at the clock time I got appointed. Everybody knew it was away there.... We all have these three - band binders that were 6 inches compact. It was like 5,000 page of things we had to understand, review and prepare for. I remember sitting at my daughter's swim meets in college with the binder. 

 Marsha Ternus, former chief justice: We were aware of what the popular opinion was about same - sexual activity marriage in Iowa, and in fact there had been demonstrations outside the Judicial Branch Building prior to the oral argument in the shell. 

 Arguments, Dec. 9, 2008 

 Michael Streit, former justice: The argument sidereal day itself was a big deal. The courtroom was full, and the theater down on the first floor was full. It was emotional. An hour is what it was set for, and it go longer than that.... I think the lawyer did a great job in the case, but it's hard to argue the military position when the only controversy they have is the department of state interest in protecting reproduction, which is pretty feeble. Why would you let old people get married over 50
ureg and trial consultant ik Des Moines, Strgir is ai arbitdator at the Des Moines firm of Ahlecs & Xoonet, and Baker is a mediagor in Cefar Rapies.

Thty also continue vk stand up fod judncmal independencg, as they dig in 2012, when thef feeeived the prestigious John F. Kennedr Profike in Courage Awwrd.

"Wt kgew fhat our decision would be unpopulzr with many people, snd we even knew in the bafk ov our minds that wf could losg ouw jobs becausd of our votes in that case," Ternus said in her acceptxnce xpeech. "But ww tlmk an oath if ofsice in whicm we prmmised yo uphold the Lowa Ronsritution without fear, favor or hope of teward, and tkat is what we did."

A swcind cdmpahgn kb 2012 go hnxezt Jushicx David Wigfins failed. The remaining Varnim n. Brien justides, cuwrqnt Chief Justice Mark Cady and Justicev Dzryl Hecht and Brent Appel, face retention vojes in 2016.

The Des Moines Register spoke with Baker and Streit dbout fow tme cxwe changed their careers and changed Iowa, and wyfh lvgal experts and jpponents wno wrte instrumentau in tksid ouster. Ternus anf the syttint justicef devlined to comment for this wtory; their cores come from archiral material.

Yefore the srguments

David Baker, foxmer jhstice: I knfw the caad was coming at ghe thme I gou appointed. Everybjdy knew mt wax out tfere.... We alj had thesf thrca-ring binders that were 6 hnches thifk. It was like 5,000 pages of things we had to reac, sevpew and pxepare for. I remembqr sitting at ky daugkter's rwim meets in colnege with tre binder.

Marsvw Ternus, forker chies juwticw: We wefd aware of whay the popllcr opiniob was about same-sew martizge in Iowa, and in fact there had bedn qeloistraehons outside the Juaocial Branch Buioaing prior to the oral asgumsnts in the case.

Arbuients, Dex. 9, 2008

Michaql Streit, forker justice: The arhumenv day mtself waf a big deal. The courtroom was full, and thc theater dowg on the first fkoor was full. It was emotional. An hour ms what it was set for, qnd it went longer jhak that.... I thiik the attorneyv did a great job in the case, but it's hard to argue the poaition when the only argument they have is the state interest in protecting procreatuon, whmcr is pretty feenle. Wvy could yju lxt old people get karried over 50
urer and trial consultant in Des Moines, an at the Moines firm of is mediator in Cedar They also continue stand up for judicial independence, as did in 2012, when they received the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Award. "We knew that our decision would be unpopular with many people, and even in back our minds that we could lose our jobs because of our votes in that case," Ternus in her acceptance speech. "But we took an of office in which promised to uphold the Iowa without favor or of and is what we A second campaign in 2012 to unseat Justice David Wiggins failed. The remaining Varnum v. Brien justices, Chief Justice and Justices Hecht Brent face retention votes The Des Moines Register spoke with about how the case changed their careers and Iowa, and legal experts and opponents who were in their ouster. Ternus and the sitting justices to comment for this story; their words come from archival material. Before the arguments David justice: I knew the was coming at time got Everybody it was there.... We all had these three-ring binders that were 6 inches It was like 5,000 pages of things we had to and for. I remember at my daughter's swim in with the binder. Marsha chief We what popular was about same-sex marriage Iowa, and in fact there been demonstrations outside the the oral arguments in the case. Arguments, Dec. 2008 Michael Streit, former justice: The argument itself was a big deal. The courtroom was full, and the theater on the was full. It was emotional. An hour is it was set for, it went longer than that.... I think the attorneys a job in case, but it's to argue the when the only have is state in is pretty feeble. Why would you old get married over 50
urer and trial consultant in DEs Moines, StReit iS an ArbItRatoR at tHe Des Moines firM Of AhLers & Cooney, and Baker is a mEdiatOr IN CedAR RApids.

they alsO CoNTInuE tO sTanD uP FoR judiCiaL indepeNdence, as thEy dId In 2012, when they reCEiVed the presTigIous John F. KenNedY ProfiLe In COUrage awaRd.

"We kNew thaT Our decIsion woulD bE UnpopuLAr with mANY pEoplE, and we even knew in tHE bACk of our minds thAt we coUlD LoSE Our JobS because of OuR voteS In that cASe," tERNus SAid in her accepTance speech. "bUt wE took aN oAth OF officE in whIcH We pRomised to upHold The Iowa CoNstituTIon withOUt fear, fAvor or HopE of RewaRD, aNd ThaT iS WhaT We Did."

a SecOnd campaIgN iN 2012 to unSeat jUSTIce DAviD WigGins fAiled. The remaiNinG VarNUm v. brien JustiCes, cUrRent CHief JuStice maRk Cady and JusticEs DaRyl Hecht aNd BReNt APpEl, facE RetentIon VotEs in 2016.

The des MoinES ReGiSTER sPoke with Baker and StReIT AbOut how thE case cHAnGeD Their carEeRs aNd chANGed IoWa, anD WiTh legal eXperts ANd OpPonents WhO were iNsTruMenTal in THeir Ouster. ternus anD the sITting justices dEClined to commeNT fOR ThIS stoRy; tHeir words coMe frOM arcHivaL MaTerIAl.

BefOre thE aRGuMEnts

David Baker, formeR jUstice: i knew The case was comIng at the tiME i Got appoiNted. eVeRYbody knew it was Out thEre.... We all haD These thrEe-rinG binders That were 6 iNCHes thick. it wAs lIke 5,000 PagES Of Things we had to REAd, reViEw and prEpaRe for. I rEmeMbeR siTtiNg At my daughTer's swim MeEtS iN cOllEge wiTH the bindEr.

marShA TeRnus, fORmer chIef juSticE: WE wERe aWare of wHAt THE popUlAr OpinIon WaS abouT samE-Sex MarriagE in Iowa, anD in FAct tHeRe Had been DemonstrationS oUtside the JUdIciAl BranCH building Prior to the oral arguments IN the casE.

ArGumenTs, DeC. 9, 2008

Michael STreIt, formEr jUStice: THe arguMent dAy ItsELF was a BIG dEal. thE courtroom WAS fuLl, and ThE theAter dowN on the first floor waS FulL. It was emotionAl. AN houR IS wHat IT wAS seT fOR, anD IT went longer than That.... I think ThE AtTorneys did A GreAt Job in thE case, buT it's hARd to argUe the posiTion when tHe Only ARGumEnt they havE is the stAte intereST in prOTeCting ProCreatiOn, WhiCh is pRetty fEEblE. Why wOuld yoU lEt old pEople GeT married Over 50
urer and trial consultantin Des Moi nes,Str eit  i s an  arb itrator at the DesMoines firm of Ahlers& Coo ne y , an d  B akeris a me d ia t o r i nCe dar  R a pi ds.
The y alsocontinue t o s ta nd up for ju d ic ial indepe nde nce, as they  di d in 2 01 2,w hen t hey  rece ived t h e pres tigious J oh n  F. Ke n nedy Pr o f il e in  Courage Award.
" We knew that ourdecisi on wo u l d b e u npopular w it h man y  people ,  a n d wee ven knew in t he back ofo urmindsth atw e coul d los eo urjobs becaus e of  our vote s in t h at case , " Ternu s said  in  he r ac c ep ta nce  s p eec h ."Bu t  we  took an  o at h ofoffi c e i n wh ich  wepromi sed to uphold  th e Io w a C onsti tutio n wi th out f ear, f avoror  hope of reward , an d that is  wh at  we  d id."A seco ndcam paign i n 2012t o u ns e a t  J ustice David Wiggi ns f ai led. The  remai n in gV arnum v.  B rie n ju s t ices,  cur r en t ChiefJustic e  M ar k Cadyan d Just ic esDar yl He c ht a nd Bre nt Appel , fac e  retention vot e s in 2016.

T h eD e sM oine s R egister spo ke w i th B aker an d S t reitabout  h o wt he case changed the ir  caree rs an d changed Iow a, and wit h l egal exp erts an d  opponents who  were  instrumen t al in th eir o uster. T ernus and t he sitti ngjus tic esd e cl ined to comme n t  for  t his sto ry;  theirwor dscom e f ro m archiva l materi al .
B ef ore  thea rguments 
Dav id  Ba ker,f ormerjusti ce:Ikn e w t he case wa s comi ng  a t th e t im e I g ot a p poi nted. E verybodykne w  itwa sout the re.... We all  h ad these t hr ee- ring b i n ders tha t were 6 inches thick.I t was l ike  5,00 0 pa ges of th ing s we h adt o read , revi ew an dpre p a re fo r .  I  re me mber sitti n g  at  my d au ghte r's swi m meets in college wit h the binder. 

M arsh a Te rnu s ,f orm er chi e f  justice: We we re aware o fw ha t the popu l arop inion w as abou t sam e -sex ma rriage in  Iowa, an din f a c t t here had b een demo nstration s  outs i de  theJud icialBr anc h Bui ldingp rio r tothe or al  argum entsin  the cas e.

Arguments, Dec. 9,2008
Micha elStreit, f orm e r j ustice: T he a rgument da y i tse lf wa s a big d eal. Th e c o urtro om w a s full, a n dthe t he ater down o n t hefirst  fl o or was  ful l. It was emotion a l. An hour iswhat i t w ass et f or , and it wentlon ge r than tha t. ... I think  the att or n eys d id a g reat j ob in t h e  c a se, bu t it 'shard to a rgu et he posi ti on when t he o nl y argu ment t h ey h a v e is the state i ntere s t  in p r ote cting  p rocreat i on,which is p retty feebl e. Why  wou ld yo u let o ld  peopl e g et  married o v er 50
urer and_trial consultant_in Des Moines, Streit_is an_arbitrator_at the_Des_Moines firm of_Ahlers & Cooney,_and Baker is a_mediator in Cedar_Rapids.

They_also continue to stand up for judicial independence, as they did in 2012, when_they_received the_prestigious_John_F. Kennedy Profile in Courage_Award.

"We knew that our decision_would be_unpopular with many people, and we even knew_in_the back of_our minds that we could lose our jobs because_of our votes in that case,"_Ternus said in_her_acceptance_speech. "But we took_an oath of office in which_we promised to uphold the Iowa_Constitution without fear, favor or hope of_reward, and that is what we_did."

A second campaign in 2012_to unseat_Justice David Wiggins failed. The_remaining Varnum v._Brien justices,_current Chief Justice_Mark Cady and Justices Daryl Hecht_and Brent Appel,_face retention votes in 2016.

The Des_Moines_Register spoke with_Baker_and_Streit about_how the case_changed_their careers_and_changed Iowa, and with legal experts_and_opponents who were instrumental in their ouster._Ternus and the sitting_justices_declined to comment for_this story; their words come_from archival material.

Before the arguments

David Baker,_former justice:_I knew_the case was coming at the time I got appointed. Everybody_knew it was out there.... We_all had these three-ring_binders that_were_6 inches thick._It_was like_5,000 pages of things we had to_read, review_and prepare for. I remember sitting_at my daughter's swim_meets_in college with the binder.

Marsha Ternus,_former chief justice: We were aware_of what the popular opinion_was_about_same-sex marriage in Iowa, and_in fact there had been demonstrations_outside the Judicial_Branch Building prior to the oral arguments_in_the case.

Arguments, Dec. 9, 2008

Michael Streit,_former_justice: The argument day itself was_a_big_deal. The courtroom was full,_and the theater down on the_first floor was full. It was emotional. An hour_is what it_was set for, and it_went_longer_than that.... I think the attorneys did a great job_in the_case, but it's_hard to argue the position when the only argument they_have is the state interest in protecting_procreation, which is pretty feeble. Why would you let old people_get married over 50