Taking sides...

GOP candidates split on Kentucky marriage license clerk

By Eliza Collins

Republican candidates are weighing in on both sides of the controversy over the Kentucky clerk who is refusing to issue marriage licenses out of religious belief.

Kim Davis on Tuesday continued to refuse to issue licenses despite the Supreme Court denying her request for an emergency stay on Monday night. She is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday before Judge David Bunning, son of former GOP Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul gave her his support.

"I think people who do stand up and are making a stand to say that they believe in something is an important part of the American way," he said of Davis on Boston Herald Radio.

"I think one way to get around the whole idea of what the Supreme Court is forcing on the states is for states just to get out of the business of giving out licenses,” Paul added. “Alabama has already voted to do this, they're just no longer going to give out licenses. And anybody can make a contract. And then if you want a marriage contract you go to a church."

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also sided with the clerk.

"I don't think anyone should have to choose between following their conscience and religious beliefs and giving up their job and facing financial sanctions. I think it's wrong to force Christian individuals or business owners,” he said in an interview with The Huffington Post. "I absolutely do believe people have a First Amendment right, a constitutional right. I don't think the court can take that away."

“I stand w/ Kim Davis & Americans of faith under attack by Washington elites who have nothing but disdain for our faith & the Constitution,” Gov. Mike Huckabee tweeted Wednesday.

In an interview with MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Thursday, Huckabee reiterated that Clark is merely following state law, which does not have enabling legislation to enact the Supreme Court's ruling.

"The specific form that she is required to fill out for a marriage license specifically requires male and female. Now if the Kentucky Legislature decides that they agree with the Supreme Court and they change the laws of Kentucky, that's a whole different thing," the former governor of Arkansas said. "We're bordering on judicial tyranny here."

Carly Fiorina took a different approach Tuesday on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show. While she said she disagrees with the SCOTUS gay marriage ruling, a government official follows different rules than an average citizen.

"Given the role that she is playing, given the fact that the government is playing her salary, I think that is not appropriate,” Fiorina said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took a similar stance to Fiorina's, saying that government employees have a “bit of a different obligation” than regular citizens.

Speaking during a radio interview with Laura Ingraham on Wednesday, Christie said it’s importantboth to allow for the exercise of religious freedom and to enforce the law.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham came out strongly against Davis’ actions as a public official on Hugh Hewitt’s show Wednesday.

"As a public official, comply with the law or resign," Graham said. "The rule of law is the rule of law. That's what we are. We are a rule-of-law nation, and I appreciate her conviction. I support traditional marriage, but she's accepted a job where she has to apply the law to everyone. And that's her choice."

In an interview with The Washington Post on Wednesday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said he had been clear on where he stood on the issue of same-sex marriage, a statement that a spokesperson clarified by confirming that it was in reference to the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefellv. Hodges. Following that decision, Kasich expressed disappointment but ruled out taking any action against it.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, said that the government should respect the beliefs of people like Davis.

“While the clerk’s office has a governmental duty to carry out the law,” Rubio said in a statement to The New York Times, “there should be a way to protect the religious freedom and conscience rights of individuals working in the office.”