In a stunning development, Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced this morning that he is withdrawing the state’s appeal of a decision that required the state to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples today.

Christie directed the state’s Acting Attorney General John Hoffman this morning to withdraw the state’s appeal in Garden State Equality v. Dow, and Hoffman submitted the request to the state supreme court at 8:44 this morning.

A press release issued by Christie’s press officer states that, “Although the Governor strongly disagrees with the Court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the Court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law.”

“The Governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his Administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court,” concludes the press release.

New Jersey is now the 14^th state, plus the District of Columbia, to enable same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Fully one-third of the U.S. population now lives in a marriage equality state.