An Oregon official who caused a Christian-owned bakery to shut down after a gay cake row has lost his bid to be Secretary of State.

(Reuters/Lucy Nicholson) A wedding cake is seen at a reception for same-sex couples at The Abbey in West Hollywood, California, July 1, 2013.

Republican Dennis Richardson has defeated Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in the race for Secretary of State. His loss comes three years after he was propelled into the national spotlight when he launched an attack against the Christian bakers who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, Fox News details.

For Sweet Cakes by Melissa owners Aaron and Melissa Klein, participating in a same-sex wedding would go against their Christian faith. Avakian, a staunch lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advocate, publicly accused them of discriminating against the lesbian couple.

The Kleins were met with boycotts and picket lines, and their children received death threats. Their social network profiles were also hijacked by LGBT activists who flooded the pages with profane messages. In the end, the Christian couple was ordered to pay the lesbians $135,000 for "emotional damages" and they had to close their retail outlet.

Just last month, the Kleins announced on Facebook their decision to close Sweet Cakes by Melissa. They also thanked those who prayed and supported them throughout their court ordeal, Christian Broadcasting Network relays.

The Christian bakers may have shuttered their bakery, but they will reportedly continue to stand up for religious liberty. According to their legal representatives, the government should not force people to do things that clash with their beliefs.

"Should the government force Catholics to sculpt totems for Wiccan rituals, or feminists to photograph fraternity initiations, or pro-life videographers to film an abortion? Of course not," First Liberty Institute president Kelly Shackelford said. "No one should be forced to contribute to the celebration of an idea that goes against his or her beliefs."

The World Congress of Families (WFC) also expressed support for the Christian bakers. In a statement, WFC president Brian Brown called the Kleins' plight a tragedy resulting from LGBT extremists' efforts to rid the society of people who do not endorse their agenda.