Rep. Mazie Hirono on Wednesday confirmed to DC808 that she believes same-sex couples should have the right to marry.

In a text message response to our question about whether Hirono believes same-sex marriage should be legal, a spokeswoman in her Washington office replied: “Yes.”

A campaign spokeswoman followed up with this statement: “President Obama’s announcement in support of equal rights for gay and lesbian couples shows the kind of courageous leadership that puts him in the vanguard of expanding civil rights for all. Today is a great day in our march for equality.”

Her stance isn’t a surprise. Hirono a is reliably liberal Democrat, and in 1998, Hirono spoke out against the proposed Hawaii state Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. But her willingness to articulate this viewpoint is notable for two reasons.

1. Hirono’s U.S. Senate campaign website largely avoids hot-button social issues like abortion and gay rights.

2. On the heels of President Obama‘s statements in support of same-sex marriage, Hirono’s definitive stance may signal a willingness from Democrats to be more open about where they stand. 

We’re waiting to hear from other Hawaii candidates for federal office on where they stand.