Rusk County Clerk Resigns Over Gay Marriage Ruling

HENDERSON (AP) — An East Texas county clerk has resigned rather than comply with the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the right of same-sex couples to marry. Rusk County Clerk Joyce Lewis-Kugle submitted her resignation letter Thursday. County Judge Joel Hale, Rusk County’s top administrator, said Lewis-Kugle wrote that she could not in good conscience issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. County commissioners are scheduled to vote on her resignation Monday. Hale said he expected it would be accepted.

District Attorney Michael Jimerson said Lewis-Kugle asked about her options and he told her “the Supreme Court is the law of the land.” He said she had a choice of issuing the license or resigning in protest. Lewis-Kugle has no published telephone number and couldn’t be reached to comment on her resignation.