Ore. senator apologizes for polygamy comments

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SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith is apologizing for creating confusion by linking the debate over same-sex marriage to persecution of his Mormon ancestors for practicing polygamy.

Smith's comments came during a gay rights forum in Washington, D.C., last week. They've become an issue in his re-election campaign. Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley's campaign says it appears Smith was defending polygamy.

The Republican senator said in an interview Tuesday he has always opposed polygamy.

He says the issues of polygamy and same-sex marriage are unrelated. He says he's sorry he mentioned both in what he called confusing comments about Mormon history.