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NewsSeptember 21, 2015

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Politicians who may have thought they wouldn't have to say much about gay marriage once the U.S. Supreme Court effectively legalized it now must answer a different question: Do you support Kim Davis? The Rowan County clerk, who has become a darling of many conservatives despite being a Democrat, cited "God's authority" and religious liberty in choosing jail time over issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples...

By ADAM BEAM ~ Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Politicians who may have thought they wouldn't have to say much about gay marriage once the U.S. Supreme Court effectively legalized it now must answer a different question: Do you support Kim Davis?

The Rowan County clerk, who has become a darling of many conservatives despite being a Democrat, cited "God's authority" and religious liberty in choosing jail time over issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Some social conservatives have cast Davis as a hero, shifting the gay marriage debate from one about civil liberties -- a matter that appeared to have been settled -- to one about religious liberty.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher running for president but trailing in the polls, rushed to Davis' side and said it was unfair the government would not accommodate her beliefs.

A judge ultimately freed Davis on the condition she not interfere with her deputies issuing the licenses.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also traveled to Morehead to bask in her defiance.

And Kentucky Republican governor hopeful Matt Bevin has tried to capitalize on her recent celebrity.

Others find themselves in a more awkward position. Jack Conway, the Democratic nominee in the state's closely watched governor's race, eventually declined to defend the state's gay-marriage ban as attorney general and now must dodge attacks from Bevin, even though both candidates favor carving out an exemption in state law for Davis.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, whose presidential campaign has focused more on economics than social issues, first said Davis should follow the rule of law. But in last week's GOP presidential debate, he agreed "there needs to be an accommodation for someone acting on their faith."

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In the same debate, former U.S. senator Rick Santorum compared Davis to a student killed in the Columbine High School massacre who reportedly told one of the gunmen she believed in God before she was shot.

And Huckabee said it wasn't fair the government allowed the suspected Fort Hood shooter to grow a beard in prison for religious reasons but would not accommodate Davis' beliefs.

Piggybacking on Davis' fight could be risky because she refused to fulfill her duties as an elected official and defied several federal court orders, said Matt Mackowiak, who leads the Super PAC "Fight for Kentucky" that is supporting Bevin. He said any ad built around Davis would have to be "very, very carefully constructed."

"You don't have to defend every decision she made and the ramification of every decision she made," Mackowiak said, adding he has not decided whether his group will make ads based on Davis and the gay-marriage issue. "It's a pretty narrow situation, but you know it does raise the question: Do you believe in religious liberty?"

Bevin spoke at a jailhouse rally telling the crowd of thousands to share Davis' story with their neighbors and "bring them to the polls with you."

But since she has been released from jail, he has used Davis mostly as an avenue to remind voters Conway, as the attorney general, chose not to appeal a federal judge's order overturning Kentucky's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Kentucky voters approved that amendment in 2004 with 75 percent of the vote.

His first television ad, released Friday, made no mention of gay marriage.

Although populist Democrats have maintained a foothold in Kentucky, an otherwise socially conservative state, others in the party also have been subject to attacks.

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