News & Opinion
Anti-Gay County Clerk Kim Davis Loses Reelection
Davis made headlines in 2015 after refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple.
November 06 2018 11:21 PM EST
May 31 2023 5:36 PM EST
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Davis made headlines in 2015 after refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple.
County Clerk Kim Davis lost her reelection bid on Tuesday. With 3,566 votes, she lost the Kentucky election to Democrat Elwood Caudill Jr's 4,210 votes.
Related | Kim Davis Running for Reelection as County Clerk
Davis made headlines in 2015 when she refused to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple after it had been legalized by the Supreme Court. She defended her decision, citing "God's authority." Although Davis was jailed for five days, she was celebrated by the right as a champion of religious freedom.
"When I say I will faithfully execute the job of Rowan County Clerk and serve all citizens equally, of course that means LGBTQ+ citizens," Caudill wrote on his campaign website. "I support every American's right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' afforded them under the laws of our nation, and I do not believe our government should discriminate against anyone for being who they are."
Caudill originally ran for county clerk in 2014, losing the Democratic nomination to Davis by 23 votes. Davis switched parties the next year.