Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has said that Iowa will “live with” a Supreme Court ruling striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) but he would like to see a public referendum on gay marriage.

The decision means that the federal government must recognize the legal marriages of gay couples. A second ruling paved the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California.

Branstad, a Republican, played it close to the vest when asked whether the DOMA decision will help or hurt Iowans.

“I guess it depends upon your perspective and your point of view on those things,” he told reporters on Monday. “I guess people can make their own judgment on that. We're going to live with the law and make whatever adjustments are necessary.”

A 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling extended marriage rights to gay couples, making Iowa the first Midwest state to do so.

Branstad has supported previous attempts to overturn the decision with a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a heterosexual union.

When asked Monday whether he would still like to see a public referendum, Branstad replied that he would.

“It basically says the federal law is struck down but it's up to the individual states,” he said. “And many states have indeed amended their constitution to provide for one-man/one-woman marriage. I've always felt the people of Iowa should have the opportunity to vote on that issue.”