Recalling her personal journey as a Catholic in coming to support same-sex marriage, Gov. Chris Gregoire last month extended an offer to talk to her New Jersey counterpart, Republican Chris Christie, as his state, too, was wrestling with gay marriage.

Christie has yet to respond.

This week, the New Jersey Senate since passed legislation legalizing gay marriage; the State Assembly is expected to vote on it Thursday.

Christie has vowed to veto the bill, saying neither chamber has the votes to override his veto.

Here in Washington, on Monday, Gregoire, a Democrat, signed a bill into law, legalizing gay marriage.

In a statement, her staff said the invitation to Christie was open: "The ball is in Gov. Christie's court if he wants to talk this issue through with her."

The two have gotten to know one another.

"I don't think that there is any expectation that he would definitely be providing some sort of response - she just wanted him to know that she's available to talk this through if he's interested," Gregoire's staff said.