Liberty in Action is a completely volunteer organization. Every primary election season since 2022, we’ve released a voter guide of Republican candidates that we recommend for their conservative bona fides. This year, we conducted interviews with all GOP candidates that responded to our interview offers. Our criteria for supporting candidates are based in Judeo-Christian values and the beliefs enshrined in our Constitution. We believe that God created government to protect our rights to life, liberty, and property.
Before interviewing the candidates, we were not familiar with the role of justices of the peace. As a result, we neglected to ask these particular candidates about marriage ceremonies. Justices of the peace also preside over a court that has jurisdiction on juvenile crimes, criminal misdemeanor offenses, and small claims. We asked questions surrounding these tasks instead of marriage.
LIA completed our interviews and released our voter guide on January 30. On that guide, we recommended Mr. Frank Bigler for Justice of the Peace in precinct 3. We also supported Mrs. Christine Martinez for Justice of the Peace in precinct 4.
During a candidate forum on February 5, a question was posed to the candidates about whether they will perform same-sex marriage ceremonies if elected as justice of the peace. Mr. Bigler’s answer at the candidate forum wasn’t clear and half in jest, but he committed not to perform any marriage ceremonies if elected. Mrs. Martinez stated that she is an ordained minister and has conducted same-sex
wedding ceremonies in the past. She also stated that she will continue to perform marriage ceremonies, including same-sex, if elected.
We at LIA believe that marriage is God’s created institution. Therefore, He defines marriage as solely between one man and one woman, for life. Marriage is the fundamental unit of government and the primary building block for society. If we get this wrong, our whole society suffers the consequences.
We’ve also just learned that the Texas Supreme Court revised their judicial court of conduct last October (Supreme Court revision about judges’ right to refuse same-sex marriages) that allows justices of the peace to refuse same-sex marriages if performing them would violate their consciences.
Mrs. Martinez was not aware of the new Supreme Court guidance. When LIA informed her of this, Mrs. Martinez stated she would no longer perform same-sex marriages. However, we believe that actions speak louder than words. Mrs. Martinez’s voluntary decision to perform same-sex marriages as an ordained minister in the past indicates that she may still perform the ceremonies.
LIA also spoke to Mr. Bigler after the candidate forum. He clarified his belief that marriage is only between one man and one woman. Mr. Bigler reiterated that he will not perform marriage ceremonies if elected as justice of the peace.
With these points clarified, LIA reiterates our support of Frank Bigler for Justice of the Peace, precinct 3. However, we retract our previous support of Christine Martinez for Justice of the Peace, precinct 4.