Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said Thursday he had no control over the use of his public statements backing school vouchers in television commericials and other advertising paid for by a pro-voucher group.

Huntsman has said repeatedly he would not become involved in the referendum campaign beyond reiterating his longtime support for vouchers. The governor has stopped short, however, of asking Utahns to join him in voting for the referendum.

Most recently, Huntsman appeared at a pro-voucher press conference called by legislative leaders. That appearance was featured in television commercials urging Utahns to vote for Referendum I in the Nov. 6 election.

Comments made at the press conference as well as past statements in support of allowing the state program to help parents pay private school tuition go forward have also appeared in newspaper ads as well as mailings from Parents for Choice in Education.

"I don't think there's much I can do about that," Huntsman told reporters at his monthly press conference on KUED Channel 7 when asked about turning up in pro-voucher advertisements.

"As a public person, you're out there and what you say is reported and filmed," the governor said. "I'm on record supporting vouchers for years."

He called for a "respectful" debate on the controversial issue as the election nears. Relationships need to be maintained, Huntsman said, to tackle the problems facing public schools.

"Vouchers may be part of it if they're successful," he said. His top priority for improving education in Utah is raising teacher compensation, as well as improving assessments of student progress.

So far, the governor said, the debate has not become too heated — yet.

"But I suspect in the last little while, the heat will increase. And as it does, which is only inevitable in any kind of campaign, (I ask) that people remain respectful. There are legitimate issues on both sides of this."

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