ST. PAUL  (AP) - A handful of Minnesota Republicans will help try to defeat amendment that would ban gay marriage in the state constitution.

The group held a press conference Thursday where they say core GOP values of limited government and individual responsibility leave room to oppose the gay marriage ban. The group includes state Rep. John Kriesel of Cottage Grove, former candidate for governor Wheelock Whitney and others.

Republicans who control the Minnesota Legislature put the amendment on next year's general election ballot, but those speaking Thursday say the party does not speak with one voice on the issue.

State GOP Chairman Tony Sutton says individual Republicans can disagree with Republican beliefs on some issues - but says the official party platform will retain its support for the constitutional gay marriage ban.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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