White, 45, is an elder at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Houston, a conservative congregation that is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). In recent days, he has taken heat from other Democrats for being personally against abortion, though he has said he recognizes that abortion remains legal and that he would not try to change that if elected governor. According to online policy papers, PCA opposes same-sex marriage and “does not regard it to be in keeping with God’s intentions for marriage.

AUSTIN — The church where he is an elder may be steadfastly opposed to gay marriage, and considers homosexuality a sin.

But Andrew White, a Houston entrepreneur running for governor as a Democrat, says it will not affect his decisions as governor in any way.

“It’s a church-state issue and there is a separation in my mind,” White said. “My personal faith is personal to me, but I will not let it interfere with how I govern.”

White’s church-and-state position surfaced anew after he Tweeted on Thursday: “I’m for marriage equality and everyone deserves to be treated equally under the law.”

For years, Republican leaders in Austin have been often criticized for letting their church-going religious beliefs bleed over into their official state policy on various issues.

The facts: White, 45, is an elder at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Houston, a conservative congregation that is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

In recent days, he has taken heat from other Democrats for being personally against abortion, though he has said he recognizes that abortion remains legal and that he would not try to change that if elected governor.

According to online policy papers, PCA opposes same-sex marriage and “does not regard it to be in keeping with God’s intentions for marriage.

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