There has been both good and bad reaction nationwide, and locally, since President Obama announced he supports same-sex marriage.

Democrat Heidi Heitkamp says the president needs to focus on issues that can be resolved by congress.

"I think that this is a state issue," Heitkamp said. "I think that this is a distraction and I don't think he is going to get a congress that is going to agree with him and so here we go again talking about things that aren't about jobs and improving the economy and getting this country moving."

Heitkamp is running against the winner of a Republican primary between Congressman Rick Berg and Bismarck businessman Duane Sand.