Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will
appeal a ruling handed down Wednesday striking down the state's ban
on gay marriage.
Abbott, a Republican running for
governor, said in a statement that marriage equality is “an issue
that will ultimately be resolved by a higher court. Texas will begin
that process by appealing today's ruling to the Fifth Circuit.”
“The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled
over and over again that states have the authority to define and
regulate marriage. The Texas Constitution defines marriage as
between one man and one woman. If the Fifth Circuit honors those
precedents, then today's decision should be overturned and the Texas
Constitution will be upheld,” he added.
Abbott made his announcement shortly
after U.S. District Court Judge Orlando Garcia released his ruling.
(Related: Texas'
gay marriage ban ruled unconstitutional.)
Texas State Senator Wendy Davis,
Abbott's likely Democratic rival, released a statement in support of
the ruling.
“I believe that all Texans who love
one another and are committed to spending their lives together should
be allowed to marry,” Davis said.