a landmark $1.5 case of discrimination against a gay former Iowa state official. Justices ruled that there wasn’t evidence to show that then-Gov.
Terry Branstad, a Republican, knew the official’s sexual orientation. In the court’s opinion, Justice Christopher McDonald called it “pure speculation” that Branstad had been made aware of then-Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey’s sexuality.The justice also wrote that Godfrey's claim that Branstad's political affiliation as a Republican was not enough to show he held “anti-gay” sentiments.“It is an outcome-based decision,” Godfrey told the Associated Press.