NJ Court Nominee Would Not Rule on Gay Marriage

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the first openly gay man nominated to the New Jersey Supreme Court has promised to recuse himself from hearing any gay marriage cases because the nominee has advocated for the issue.

Bruce Harris wrote to state several state senators asking for their support of a same-sex marriage bill being heard by the Senate in late 2009. Christie, a Republican who supports civil unions but opposes calling it marriage, says Harris volunteered the information to him.

On Monday Christie also disclosed that he was aware of a civil case involving the family of his other nominee, Phillip Kwon, who paid civil fines to the federal government concerning the way cash from their liquor store business was deposited.

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