SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson says Georgia's governor "did the right thing" by vetoing a proposed law that would have allowed some individuals and organizations to deny service to others based on their religious beliefs.
But the GOP senator, who is seeking re-election this year, also says he's not criticizing fellow Republicans and religious conservatives who say Gov. Nathan Deal turned his back on Georgians of faith.
Isakson told reporters Wednesday in Savannah: "Everybody's welcome to criticize us in public life for whatever we do."
Isakson says religious exemptions should be handled by the federal government rather than individual states to avoid "a patchwork of statutes that corporations have to weave their way around."
Fellow Republicans Derrick Grayson and Mary Kay Bacallao are challenging Isakson in the May 24 primary.
