Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who made news around the world for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay couples in 2015, has lost her re-election bid.
Davis lost out to Democrat Elwood Caudill Jr, who emerged victorious today with a reported 4,210 votes to Davis’ 3,566. He will become the new clerk for Rowan County, which has a population of less than 25,000.
Davis became a household name after refusing to acknowledge the Supreme Court's decision to legalise same-sex marriage nationwide, citing “God’s authority" - and was eventually jailed for being found in contempt of court.
In the lead-up to this week's vote, Caudill Jr. said that he wanted to restore equality and respect to the Kentucky county.
“I want Rowan County and Morehead to get back to where it was and treat everyone equally and treat everyone with respect,” Caudill Jr. told LEX 18 before today's results were announced.
Some social media users expressed their relief at the win, which is shaping up to be one of many victories for the LGBTIQ+ community during the US midterm elections.
Sharice Davids, a Native American lesbian with a history of MMA fighting, won the Kansas House race, while fellow Democrat Jared Polis becoming the first openly gay person elected as governor in the United States.
