LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate Bob Kerrey is voicing support for same-sex marriage in the wake of a similar endorsement by President Barack Obama. The Nebraska Democrat said in a statement Thursday that he believes strongly in marriage equality, but added that states should retain the authority to establish family and marriage laws. Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2000 that banned same-sex marriage. Kerrey pointed to his opposition to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which he views as a restriction on states. Kerrey is seeking to return to the U.S. Senate after an 11-year hiatus. His statement came on the heels of an announcement by Obama, who said in an interview Wednesday that he supports same-sex marriage.