Issue: Did County Clerk Have Good Reasons to Seek Halt to Gay Marriages?

Ernest Dronenburg’s request to halt same-sex marriage in San Diego County got batted down Tuesday by the state Supreme Court as criticism of his actions rose—including from fellow Republicans.

Dronenburg, the county clerk/assessor/recorder, said he wanted to clarify law, and protect gay and lesbian couples, in the wake of U.S. Supreme Court action effectively nullifying Proposition 8.

“I asked for a stay because it's cruel to set up people,'' Dronenburg told CBS8. “In 2004, the last time there was a case, the court came out against it and they had to unwrap 4,000 marriages—that is hurtful.”

But Susan Jester, president of Log Cabin Republicans of San Diego County, which represents gay and lesbian GOP members, demanded the county clerk stop using his office to interfere with the law.

“I don't believe it’s good government to mix your religious beliefs with your constitutional office duties,” Jester told NBC7/39. “His job is to implement the law, not to try to change it.”

Did Dronenburg cross the line?  Or was he right in making the request as a way to ensure same-sex marriage was on proper legal footing?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

—City News Service contributed to this report.