Top Reads, Feb. 27: Gay marriage ruling / Noah’s ark scammer / Tea party birthday

First and foremost, a federal judge in San Antonio struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage, but he stayed his own decision until an appeals court can look at the case. The Texas Attorney General is appealing the case now to the conservative Fifth Circuit court in New Orleans. The NYT, along with everyone else, has the story. Ahead of the March 4 primaries, candidates for the top statewide position sounded off with clashing views in my round up of comment. And let’s not forget that Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, a lieutenant governor candidate, briefly said that the definition of marriage is one man and one man.

Republican Texas Attorney General candidate state Sen. Ken Paxton is facing fallout after The Dallas Morning News story about several lawmakers bought into an investment scheme from a man who on an unrelated note claimed to have found Noah’s ark. Paxton was among them, and his Republican opponents for AG have taken aim, The Dallas Morning News reports.

The tea party movement turns 5 today, and the Washington Post’s The Fix is looking back at its history here.