Some of the leading candidates vying to replace Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele oppose gay marriage.

The candidates discussed their views on the subject with National Organization for Marriage (NOM) Chairwoman Maggie Gallagher.

NOM is the nation's most vociferous opponent of gay marriage. The group backed successful efforts to repeal gay marriage in California and Maine. Its next targets appear to be New Hampshire and Iowa, where Republican lawmakers increased their numbers on November 2.

Gallagher discussed the issue with several leading candidates, including Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus, Save American Jobs Project Chairman Saul Anuzis, former RNC political director Gentry Collins and former Missouri Republican Chairwoman Ann Wagner.

The four candidates were interviewed via Skype and their responses were posted on the NOM website. 

Collins said gay marriage "devalues the relationship that is shared by my wife and I and a number of committed married couples."

Marriage, Anuzis said, was an American institution essential to society.

"Marriage is an institution that has been around for 3,000 years. It's part of our faith. It's part of out culture," Anuzis said. "It's important to have a mother and a father … People care that you're a family person."

Opposition to gay marriage is a "pillar" of the Republican platform, Wagner said in her interview.

"I think that's where the American people are. They believe in traditional marriage. They want to lift that up. … It's important that we hold true to those tenants and values that I think are a pillar of our Republican party and our platform."

Priebus said marriage was given to us by God and needs to be protected from "activist judges."

"I believe marriage is a gift from God and the sanctity of marriage ought to be protected … and I don't believe the comedy clause in the constitution allows for activist judges to redefine what marriage is," he said, referring to the constitution's Full Faith and Credit clause. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page.)

The RNC will elect a new chairman next month. Its current chairman, Michael Steele, is looking to keep his job. Steele has previously said that he opposes gay marriage because it hurts small business.