It’s official: Former Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton is now a bona fide national celebrity.

Chilton’s overnight fame is the result of his pledge to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples, in defiance of state law, after he’s sworn in as Orange County Register of Deeds.

The national press is now paying attention, and on Thursday night, Chilton made an appearance on Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.

Things started on an awkward note when guest host Ari Melber struggled with pronouncing the word “Carrboro.” (See video, below)

After Melber recovered from that flub, he asked Chilton to defend his position.

“What are you trying to do here?” Melber asked.

“Well, I’m trying to be the register of deeds of Orange County, North Carolina, mostly,” Chilton replied, with a chuckle. “But I’m a legal scholar, as well as a real estate attorney. “And after reading all the cases that are involved with same-sex marriage that have come down from the federal courts, it seems very clear to me that North Carolina’s state constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage is definitely contrary to the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”

Chilton won the three-way Democratic primary for Register of Deeds on Tuesday, beating Sara Stephens and incumbent Deborah Brooks, He’ll run unopposed in November.

Neither of his primary opponents echoed his vow to immediately start signing same-sex marriage licenses despite Amendment One, which was approved by a majority of North Carolina voters in a 2012 referendum.

Melber asked Chilton what he would do if he received a court order to desist.

“I’m going to obey and competent court order that may be issued in connection with this,” said Chilton. “As an attorney, I’m obliged to do that, as well as an elected official. But you know, honestly, I don’t know that any such order is necessarily going to be forthcoming.”

Related Stories
‹
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
After 12 Years, Mark Chilton Stepping Down Early as Orange County Register of Deeds
Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announced Thursday that he's stepping down, a few months before his term was set to expire.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Orange County Register of Deeds
With the current Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton retiring from the role after 12 years, the race to replace him is on.
Candidate Intros: Orange County Register of Deeds Primary
During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for each of the races in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their background in the community and what they wish for residents to think of when voting. […]
On Air Today: Dale Edwards of The News of Orange County
Managing Editor of the News of Orange County newspaper joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Monday, April 18, to share updates on recent stories around the Efland and Hillsborough area.
Burroughs To Join Orange County Board of Commissioners
Democrat Mia Burroughs becomes the newest member of the Orange County Board of Commissioners after beating Republican Gary Kahn with 76 percent of the vote.
Same-Sex Couples Sign Up to Get Married in Orange County
The Mayor of Carrboro and her longtime partner were first in the line of same-sex-couples that showed up at the Orange County Deeds office Monday for marriage licenses.
Chilton Elected Register Of Deeds
Former Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton defeated incumbent Deborah Brooks and challenger Sara Stephens to become Orange County’s next Register of Deeds.
OC Register Of Deeds Candidates Face Off In First Debate
In what might be a first for Orange County, a crowd of nearly fifty came out to hear from three candidates vying for the job of Register of Deeds.
Chilton: "I'll Sign Same-Sex Marriage Licenses"
Former Carrboro mayor Mark Chilton says he will issue same-sex marriage licenses if elected Register of Deeds.
›