Iowa LG Hopeful in Civil Unions Crossfire

Kim Reynolds, running mate of Iowa gubernatorial nominee Terry Branstad, angered conservatives this week when she suggested their Republican ticket might be open to civil unions. If elected, Branstad and Reynolds want to repeal marriage equality in the state via a constitutional amendment.

According to KCCI, Reybolds opened the door to civil unions in an interview with the Iowa Independent on Tuesday, in which she reiterated her belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

"We could take a look at civil unions," said Reynolds. "There are other options maybe that I would be in favor of looking at."

KCCI reports that the Branstad campaign went into damage control mode and insisted that Reynolds, a state senator, was not referring to state-sanctioned civil unions, but meant to indicate private arrangements.

Branstad, who served as Iowa governor from 1983 to 1999, won the Republican nomination last month. He will face incumbent Democratic governor Chet Culver in the November election.