Texas’ U.S. Senators, both Republicans, have recommended the appointment of an openly gay man as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, a development that could affect the next gubernatorial election.

Although Robert Pitman’s sexual orientation had been prominently featured in a profile in the Austin American-Statesman back in 2003, a spokesman for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said the choice was made, “based on the merits of each individual’s qualifications and their abilities,” adding that Hutchison may not have even known about Pitman’s sexual orientation.  Sen. John Cornyn’s spokesman, who said the Senator knew Pitman was gay, said sexual orientation “has no bearing on his qualifications for a job. … It’s just not even remotely considered.”

Social conservatives are up in arms, according to the Dallas Morning News:

Some Republicans are vehemently and unapologetically not ready for that. That could make it even harder for Hutchison to woo social conservatives in her bid to outflank and oust Gov. Rick Perry in March.

Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition, a former member of the Republican National Committee – and, like nearly all prominent social conservatives in Texas who have picked sides, a Perry supporter – called the recommendation “very unusual and disturbing.”

“I suspect that a lot of Republican primary voters would find it interesting that Senator Hutchison would make that recommendation,” Lambert said.

Pittman is a highly regarded former prosecutor and judge, and considered one of the most qualified candidates in the state, according to the Morning News.