Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed a brief today with the California Supreme Court, asking it to hold off on enforcing its ruling legalizing same-sex marriages.

His action comes after Nixon has been attacked over the past three days by Gov. Matt Blunt and GOP gubernatorial candidate Kenny Hulshof for failing to make such a request.

In the letter, sent to California Chief Justice Ronald George, Nixon asks for the delay until California voters cast their ballots in November on a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Nixon spokesman Scott Holste issued the following statement:

“As attorney general, Jay Nixon supported the Missouri constitutional amendment to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, and has consistently fought to protect traditional marriage.

“Although he disagrees with the ruling by the California Supreme Court, he was pleased to see that the state will let the voters of California decide the definition of marriage in their state.

“Today, Attorney General Nixon sent the California Supreme Court a letter to encourage the court to place a stay on its ruling until the voters have been heard.

“But regardless of how California decides to proceed, Missouri does not recognize same-sex marriages performed in California or any other state.”

Early this evening, Blunt sent out a statement that lauded — and lambasted — Nixon for his action.

“Though it is nearly a week overdue, I am glad Nixon finally answered my call and joined with other attorneys general as he should have done last Thursday,” Blunt said in his statement.  “Missourians overwhelmingly believe that marriage is between one man and one woman and they deserve an attorney general who stands up for traditional marriage because it is the right thing to do, not because they receive pressure from others…”