TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A pastor whose church hosted a town hall meeting with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is seeking an apology from the governor.

Pastor Kenneth Clayton of St. Luke Baptist Church in Paterson says Christie disrespected Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and misused an opportunity to unite the community.

Christie referred to Oliver — by race and gender, but not by name — as the lawmaker responsible for blocking a vote on a school voucher bill that would allow children in failing districts to attend classes elsewhere.

The speaker, who is black, later accused Christie of “racial polarization.” A Christie spokesman says the governor’s comments were misinterpreted.

The dust-up comes as the governor actively courts the African American and Latino vote for his re-election bid in November.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)