NATIONWIDE — The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

The justices voted 7-2 on Monday that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated baker Jack Phillips' First Amendment rights in a case that had been closely watched both by religious and LGBT advocates.

The justices did not, however, decide on a bigger issue in the case: whether a business can refuse to serve LGBT people.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion that the issue "must wait further elaboration." Kennedy's vote had been closely watched, because although he wrote the Supreme Court's ruling that paved the way for same-sex marriage several years ago, he also favors free-speech rights.

Ken Paxton, R-Texas Attorney General:

"This is a landmark victory for our first liberties of religious freedom and freedom of speech. The Supreme Court’s ruling affirms that the First Amendment contains robust protections for people who choose to operate their business consistent with their faith. Every American should have the freedom to choose what they will or won’t create without fear of being unjustly punished by the government."

Chuck Smith, Equality Texas:

"Our nation decided more than 50 years ago that when a business decides to open its doors to the public, that business should be open to all. That core principle is at the heart of how we treat one another, and it’s more important than ever in light of today’s decision. While the Court’s decision does not create a new license to discriminate, it also does not address the discrimination that millions of Americans and Texans still face. Texas law does not explicitly protect LGBTQ Texans from discrimination in stores and restaurants, in the workplace, or in access to housing.

"That’s why Equality Texas is urging the Texas Legislature to pass a statewide non-discrimination law that protects all Texans from discrimination. We also urge Congress to pass the Equality Act and create one set of rules for everyone. It’s time for our nation’s laws to catch up to our nation’s values and protect all Americans from discrimination. No one should be fired from their job, denied a place to live, or turned away from a business simply because of who they are."

Jonathan Saenz, Texas Values:

"This is an important religious liberty victory for a private business owner who prevailed over the wrongful attempts of the government to punish Jack Phillips for his faith. This decision will go a long way to helping Texas lawmakers pass state law protection on these specific religious freedom attacks from local government laws like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, just to name a few. The First Amendment protects religious liberty and freedom of speech and does not give government power to force artists such as Jack Phillips to express someone else's message, particularly on an issue such as marriage that has been widely debated in our country."

Sen. Donna Campbell, R-Texas Senate District 25:

"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for religious liberty and strengthens one of the founding principles on which this nation was built. I applaud the U.S. Supreme Court for affirming the right to express ourselves free from government interference and conduct our businesses in accordance with sincerely held religious beliefs."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas:

"Today, the Supreme Court took a stand for religious liberty against the unconstitutional demands of an oppressive bureaucracy. The decision’s wide 7-2 margin shows that the justices recognize what millions of Americans have known since the first Constitutional Convention: whether a baker, a teacher, a doctor, or clergy, the government may not force any American to violate his sincerely held religious beliefs. I look forward to the day when the First Amendment rights of all Americans are recognized and reaffirmed at the Supreme Court and in every statehouse across the nation."

Information from the Associated Press and CNN was used in this report.