government
McLennan County judge wins $640,000 judgment after refusing to perform same-sex marriages
By Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
A Travis County judge ordered the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to pay McLennan County Justice of the Peace Diane Hensley $640,000 in court costs and compensatory damages.. Hensley stopped officiating marriages in 2019, citing her Christian faith and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration...
Key takeaway The lawsuit was filed in December 2025 after Hensley said she lost more than $60,000 a year since stopping wedding ceremonies due to threats and investigations from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Why this matters in The Waco
The judgment in favor of McLennan County Justice of the Peace Diane Hensley has significant implications for local officials who may face similar dilemmas in the future. As the State Commission on Judicial Conduct is still facing a statewide class action lawsuit, this ruling may set a precedent for how the commission handles cases involving justices of the peace who refuse to perform same-sex marriages due to religious beliefs. Locally, this decision may embolden other officials to take a stand on similar issues, potentially leading to more conflicts between personal beliefs and public duties. The fact that Hensley lost over $60,000 a year since stopping wedding ceremonies highlights the financial stakes for local officials who choose to recuse themselves from certain duties. As the situation unfolds, it will be worth watching how the State Commission on Judicial Conduct responds to this judgment and whether it will lead to changes in how the commission handles similar cases in McLennan County and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Travis County judge ordered the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to pay McLennan County Justice of the Peace Diane Hensley $640,000 in court costs and compensatory damages.. Hensley stopped officiating marriages in 2019, citing her Christian faith and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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