Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has publicly declared his support behind Kentucky clerk Kim Davis and her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs.

The 49-year-old county clerk is one of the few local officials in the nation who refuses to grant licenses to same-sex couples in light of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that overturned the national ban on gay marriage. After Davis was sued by local couples, Federal District Court Judge David L. Bunning ordered her to issue licenses. Both the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court then denied her request to delay the order while she filed for an appeal, reports the New York Times. Still, Davis maintains that her Christian beliefs prevent her from supporting gay marriage

As a result, on Thursday morning she was held in contempt of court and jailed for defying court orders by refusing to sign marriage licenses to couples in Rowan County.

In response, Cruz issued a statement calling on "every lover of liberty" to stand with Davis in the name of religious freedom.

"Today, judicial lawlessness crossed into judicial tyranny. Today, for the first time ever, the government arrested a Christian woman for living according to her faith. This is wrong. This is not America," Cruz stated.

"I stand with Kim Davis. Unequivocally. I stand with every American that the Obama Administration is trying to force to choose between honoring his or her faith or complying with a lawless court opinion," said the Texas senator.

Cruz went on to argue that those persecuting Davis believe that Christians should not serve in public office, and if Christians do serve in public office, they must disregard their religious faith or risk jail.

Davis, who cannot be terminated since she was elected to her position, will only be released from custody if she chooses to comply with the law, said U.S. District Judge Bunning.