GOP presidential hopeful Cruz to visit jailed Kentucky clerk

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz is heading to a Kentucky jail to support the county clerk imprisoned for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier says the Texas senator will meet with Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis on Tuesday afternoon. Another Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, had previously announced plans to meet with Davis Tuesday.

Davis has become a conservative hero since being jailed last Thursday. The GOP’s evangelical wing says she should be allowed to deny same-sex marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs. The Supreme Court made same-sex marriage the law of the land in June.

Frazier says Cruz won’t attend an afternoon rally with Huckabee and other Davis supporters outside the Carter County Detention Center where Davis is being held.