Judge, Clerk in Marriage Case Dealt with Nepotism

Kim Davis and the judge that will decide her fate have at least one thing in common: They both had to deal with questions of nepotism when they got their jobs.

Davis is the Democrat Rowan County Clerk who has refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious beliefs in defiance of multiple court orders. Several other clerks in Kentucky, Alabama, and Texas are also refusing to issue licenses for the same reason.

Davis will be in court again Thursday as U.S. District Judge David Bunning considers whether to punish her by imposing heavy fines.  

"To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue," Davis said in a statement this week. "It is about marriage and God's word. It is a matter of religious liberty." 

In all, there are three county clerks in Kentucky refusing to issue marriage licenses for the same reason, including Casey County Clerk, Casey Davis, and a third clerk that Governor Beshear has not identified.

Davis' mother was the county clerk for 36 years and hired Davis to work for her. Davis was elected in 2014 and now her son works for her.

Bunning is the son of former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning. The Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment in 2001 despite the American Bar Association saying he lacked experience.

Since then, Bunning has ruled against several conservative causes.