Gay man challenges clerk who denied him marriage license

MOREHEAD, Ky. — Shelly Phillips works in an office at the First United Methodist Church in Laramie, Wyo., and rarely donates to political candidates.

But in December, she sent a small donation to David Ermold, who wants to be the next clerk in Rowan County, Ky., about 1,200 miles from where she lives. She’s one of more than 5,000 people from at least 48 states who have donated in increments of $ 10 and $ 20 to Ermold, giving him more than $ 200,000 for an election that could require as few as 900 votes to win.

Her interest in the far- flung campaign is less about specific needs than a general principle: The LGBT activist wants to see a gay candidate defeat the clerk who denied him a marriage license.

It was three years ago when Ermold stood in disbelief as the current clerk, Kim Davis, told him “God’s authority” prevented her from giving him a marriage license. Davis would eventually go to jail for her stance, making her a hero to some and a scofflaw under the U. S. Supreme Court decision that effectively legalized same- sex marriage nationwide.

Before Ermold can run against Davis, he must first survive a four- person Democratic primary Tuesday.

Ermold doesn’t mention Davis — who is running as a Republican — in his campaign materials or radio ads, aside from saying a vote for him would “reaffirm Rowan County as one of the most welcoming communities in Kentucky.”