WASHINGTON, D.C., August 22, 2016 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Presidential candidate Evan McMullin has said that he will not seek to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision redefining marriage nationwide, because the institution of marriage is “not a matter of life.”

McMullin, a longtime registered Republican and former CIA officer who announced his independent presidential campaign this month, responded to the question during a Fox News interview last Monday.

McMullin previously said that the Supreme Court decision is binding and the nation should “move on.” Columnist George F. Will asked if McMullin’s logic did not also apply to Roe v. Wade, a decision issued more than 40 years ago and upheld numerous times by the Supreme Court. McMullin responded:

It's a good question and a fair question, but I see the issues differently. On the issue of life, it's life, so I actually would pursue appointments – court appointments – that would overturn Roe v. Wade. So, that's my view. But I do believe on the issue of gay marriage that the American people have a certain positioning, the court has spoken and again that's not a matter of life. So I respect the decision and I do think it's time to move on. But on a matter of life, I remain committed to overturning Roe v. Wade.

McMullin is widely touted as the candidate of the “Never Trump” movement, of which Will is a member. McMullin holds positions generally in harmony with Republican leadership on issues varying from immigration to trade and foreign policy.

McMullin said he hopes to prevent both major party candidates from reaching the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. However, he missed the deadline to be on the ballot in more than half the states in the nation.

The candidate has said that he will force his way onto state ballots through lawsuits. Nick Gillespie has written at Reason, "His claim that he will compete in all 50 states (mostly by using legal challenges) strays into Trumpian overstatement."

But McMullin, who is a Mormon, is said to have wide support in Utah and the West, possibly tipping the balance in favor of Hillary Clinton, who is contesting Utah strongly.

The exchange begins approximately 10 minutes into the video.