It might be significant - this article (from 1994) suggests the marriage may have been (implemented/expodited as) a political move to some degree:

"Wives Called Upon to Help Their Husbands on the Hustings : Campaigning: Women are playing key roles as symbols of domestic values in local races. Some say the trend is a reaction against feminism."

http://articles.latimes.com /1994-10-30/local/me-56666_1_family-values/2 (page 2 of 2)