Utah AG Challenges Gov on Civil Unions

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is challenging statements from Governor Jon Huntsman last week that the state constitution is unclear on the legality of civil unions.

At his monthly press conference on Thursday, Governor Huntsman said that courts may ultimately need to decide whether the constitutional amendment voters approved to ban same-sex marriage also applies to civil unions.

Shurtleff has replied that Utah’s constitution clearly prohibits same-sex marriage and civil unions, and that a legal challenge has no merit, reports KTVX ABC 4 in Salt Lake City.

In 2004, Utah voters passed Amendment 3, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and bans any equivalent unions. Huntsman, a Republican, supported the measure when running for office.

Huntsman announced his support for same-sex civil unions and a package of basic LGBT rights proposals in February.

The governor, who enjoys high approval ratings in Utah, is considered a strong Republican presidential prospect for 2012.