South Carolina’s U.S. senators split over the gay marriage amendment.

Democrat Fritz Hollings said he was against gay marriage but does not support an amendment.

“He doesn’t think we should mess with the Constitution,” said Hollings’ spokeswoman, Ilene Zeldin. “We don’t have domestic law in the Constitution. We don’t talk about divorces or alimony in the Constitution. We shouldn’t be talking about this either.”

Republican Lindsey Graham supported the proposed amendment.

“If we’re going to change the definition of marriage — one of the oldest and strongest concepts in our culture — it should come about through the constitutional process and actions of the peoples’ elected representatives,” he said.

“We cannot allow a few liberal judges to hijack and completely rewrite the definition of marriage.”

Both candidates seeking to succeed the retiring Hollings — Democrat Inez Tenenbaum and Republican Jim DeMint — have said they support the proposed amendment.

South Carolina banned same-sex marriages in 1996.

— Lauren Markoe