Gay Man Who Sued to Fight Gay Marriage Ban Runs for Texas Senate

AUSTIN, TX — Mark Phariss, the gay man who sued over the right to marry his spouse confirmed Tuesday that he is now running as a Democrat and hopefully the first openly gay state senator in Texas if elected in 2018.

Phariss, who is a lawyer from the Dallas suburb of Plano, told the press that he is encouraged by recent high-profile Democratic upsets in Virginia and especially Alabama as he launches his first run for public office in Dallas’ conservative northern suburbs.

He and his partner, Vic Holmes, were the lead plaintiffs in a 2013 lawsuit over a Texas ban on gay marriage. This was two years before the U.S. Supreme Court made history legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Mark Phariss‘ candidacy sets up a possible head to head race against Angela Paxton, the wife of Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Both Phariss and Angela Paxton, a school guidance counselor, face primary challengers.

“We’re spending too much time on issues that do not affect the daily lives of Texans like education does,” said Phariss of the Republican-controlled Legislature and Texas GOP leaders.

Winning will require turning a well established Republican Senate district. The outgoing senator, Republican Van Taylor, won with nearly 80 percent of the vote in 2014.

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