reasons that are consistent with my political philosophy, including family values, including being a conservative who believes the family is a building block of society. i'm comfortable there now. >> the senate might look at this and say he's a politician, why is he doing this now when he found out two years ago? >> two things. one i'm comfortable with the position, and took me a while to rethink things, when we get to this position. >> reporter: the second reason? the supreme court, which will soon hear a case of gay marriage cases and portman suggested that to generate questions about his position. >> i thought it was the right time to let folks know where i stand so there is no confusion, so i would be clear about it. >> reporter: senator portman penned an op-ed in this morning's hometown paper, "the columbus dispatch" to explain his reversal to his constitue constituents, many who elected him as a traditional christian conservative who won't be happy.