The Rhode Island Senate passed legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage with a 26-12 vote. The wide margin defied wide expectations that the vote would either pass or be defeated by one to two vote margin.

The Senate’s passage of the bill — introduced by Sen. Donna Nesselbush, D-Pawtucket — all but guarantees Rhode Island will be the tenth state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. Gov. Lincoln Chafee ’75 P’14 has said he will sign same-sex marriage legislation if it comes to his desk.

The dramatic vote followed speeches by several senators, including Sen. James Doyle, D-Pawtucket, and Maryellen Goodwin, D-Providence, who had previously opposed same-sex marriage but declared their support for the legislation.

“I am thrilled that the Senate passed an historic equality bill which will enable all loving couples in Rhode Island to have the freedom to marry,” wrote House Speaker Gordon Fox, D-Providence,  in a statement immediately after the vote. ”I thank all the Senators who supported the bills sponsored by Senator Donna Nesselbush and Representative Art Handy, two unwavering advocates for marriage equality,”