U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, says the gay marriage issue — which played a pivotal if not decisive role in the 2004 presidential election — is lurking for November.

King told CNSNews.com that Iowans care deeply about preserving traditional marriage and the issue is likely to mobilize voters:

“Here we are with the Democratic National Party conducting an assault directly on marriage that throws out everything we have known in 6,000 years of history,” King told CNSNews.com.

“I don’t think they [the people of Iowa] really believe it yet. They don’t take it seriously. They don’t understand the depth of mobilization. They won’t believe it will happen,” he added.

But King added that if Iowa’s own DOMA law, which is currently facing a challenge in the Iowa Supreme Court, is repealed, opposition to ending DOMA on the national level may gain momentum.

“When the people of Iowa see pictures of same-sex couples kissing on the steps of their churches, they will mobilize,” said King. “That’s when the Democratic Party’s advocacy becomes a problem.”