RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Del. Bob Marshall says it’s his duty to try and pursue impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Mark Herring.

A handful of African-American ministers joined Marshall on Tuesday at a Capitol news conference to denounce Herring’s decision to back two same-sex couples challenging state laws. They also criticized Herring’s backing of a constitutional provision barring gay marriage in Virginia.

The ministers said Herring had misled them about his views on gay marriage when he was a candidate for office.

A spokesman for Herring called Marshall’s news conference a “desperate ploy.”

Marshall is the General Assembly’s most outspoken social conservative. He wants a House of Delegates committee to investigate whether Herring should be impeached for violating his oath of office. House Republicans leaders have said they do not support Marshall’s effort.

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