Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour says he voted for a state ballot initiative that would declare life begins at fertilization.

The Republican says he voted by absentee ballot Thursday because
he won't be in his hometown for Tuesday's election.

Barbour told reporters Wednesday he was undecided because he
thinks the initiative is ambiguous and he had concerns about how it
might affect in-vitro fertilization and ectopic pregnancies.

Barbour says he still has concerns about how it might affect health care, if passed. He says he voted for it, ultimately, because he believes life begins at conception.

Barbour weighed a presidential bid in 2012 but decided against
it.

He answered questions after appearing at a campaign rally for
Phil Bryant, the Republican trying to succeed him as governor.