government
Waco J.P. prevails in lawsuit to decline performing same-sex marriages
By Matt McGovern at FOX 44 News (KWKT)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
TEXAS (FOX 44) - A Travis County judge has sided with a McLennan County Justice of the Peace who refused to marry gay couples and sued the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) for disciplining her for her choice. The state’s judicial oversight agency must pay $640,000 to a Waco judge who w...
Key takeaway The state’s judicial oversight agency must pay $640,000 to a Waco judge who was disciplined for [...
Why this matters in The Waco
The outcome of this lawsuit has significant implications for the balance of power between the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and local judges in McLennan County. By siding with the Justice of the Peace, the Travis County judge's decision sets a precedent that could influence how similar cases are handled in the future. The $640,000 payment to the Waco judge also raises questions about the financial burden on the state's judicial oversight agency and how it will impact their ability to discipline judges in the future. Locally, this decision may spark a renewed debate about the role of judges in performing marriages and the extent to which they can exercise personal beliefs in their official duties. As the city's government and residents consider the implications of this ruling, it will be important to watch how the State Commission on Judicial Conduct responds and whether they will appeal the decision.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 44 News (KWKT) . 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 FOX 44 News (KWKT) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 44 News (KWKT) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? TEXAS (FOX 44) - A Travis County judge has sided with a McLennan County Justice of the Peace who refused to marry gay couples and sued the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) for disciplining her for her choice. The state’s judicial oversight agency must pay $640,000 to a Waco judge who w...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by FOX 44 News (KWKT) and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matt McGovern at FOX 44 News (KWKT). 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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