Mike Huckabee willing to go to jail in lieu of Kim Davis to fight for religious freedom

Republic presidential candidate Mike Huckabee speaks at a rally for Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk in Grayson, Kentucky, on Sept. 8, 2015.Reuters

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee truly believes in the cause Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis is fighting for: religious freedom. That's why he has expressed willingness to be locked up in jail instead of Davis should the judge again decide to send the apostolic Christian to jail.

"I have a message for the judge, and I say this with all my heart," Huckabee reportedly told the crowd who greeted Davis when she was finally released on Tuesday. "Let Kim go, but if you have to put someone in jail, I volunteer to go. Let me go. Lock me up, if you think that is how freedom is best served."

Huckabee said he has his eyes set on the White House, but if he has to spend the next eight years in jail to fight in defence of Christianity, then so be it. "I want you to know I'm willing to spend the next eight years in jail, but I'm not willing to spend one day under the tyranny of people who believe they can take our liberty and conscience away!" he pointed out.

After spending six days in jail, Davis appears in no rush to get back to work. According to her lawyers from Liberty Counsel, she will be going back to work on Monday after she settles personal matters at home.

"I am deeply moved by all those who prayed for me. All I can say is that I am amazed and very grateful," Davis said in a statement, which was released by her lawyers. "I am enjoying spending time with my husband, my family, and my three dogs. I have also been spending time reading boxes of letters expressing support and prayers from people around the country."

Davis earlier vowed that she will not issue any same-sex marriage licences nor will she allow her deputies to do so under her authority.

However, at least one of her deputies, Brian Mason, said he will still issue marriage licences to same-sex couples even if Davis orders her not to do so when she returns to work.

"When Miss Davis comes back, I'll still issue licences," Mason told NBC News.

Mason added that he has not talked to Davis since she was sent to jail, but during her absence, he said they have already issued seven licences to same-sex couples and three to heterosexual couples.

"It's been a little hectic, but we still carry on business like we normally do," said Mason.