A top Republican legislator has called on the governor to include the gay marriage issue in a special legislative session that might be called to deal with Iowa’s caucus date. Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat, said today he wants to talk with legislators on both sides before calling a special session.

Culver says a special session is always an option, but he wants to talk with legislators on both sides, and also wants to see how the court proceedings work themselves out. Culver says he hasn’t decided on a special session for either issue at this point.

Culver says a special session is always on the table, whether it’s for the caucuses, gay marriage or any other matter that might pop up. "We’re not going to outrule it at this time, I don’t necessarily think we have to do anything, but we have to talk about it," Culver says. House Republican leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City called for the governor to include the gay marriage issue in any special session, or he asked that it be addressed first thing when the legislature reconvenes in January.