Sally Kern | |
---|---|
Member of the OklahomaHouseofRepresentatives from the 84th district | |
In office January 4, 2005 –January 9, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Bill Graves [1] |
Succeeded by | Tammy West |
Personal details | |
Born | Jonesboro,Arkansas,U.S. | November 27,1946
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Steve Kern |
Children | 1 |
Education | University of Texas at Arlington (BA) |
Sally Kern (born November 27,1946) is an American politician and former educator who served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 84th district from 2005 to 2017.
Kern was born in Jonesboro,Arkansas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington and a teaching credential from East Texas State University. [2]
Kern authored a bill,which passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives in March 2008,mandating that students who believe in Young Earth creationism still receive passing grades in Earth science classes. [3] After being passed in the House,it was voted down in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate. [4]
Kern co-authored the Religious Viewpoints Anti-discrimination Act that included the provision "Students shall not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of their work",which was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry. [5]
In March 2008,Kern made national headlines when she stated that homosexuality was a greater threat to national security than terrorism. [6]
After receiving attention for the remarks,Kern refused to apologize. [7] [6] [8] She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later. [9] In response to Kern's comments,hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol. [10] Over 1500 people later turned out at the Capitol to support her. [11] [12]
Kern claimed to have received death threats that caused her to hire a bodyguard. [13] [14]
In January 2015,she introduced three bills in the state legislature which would permit businesses to deny goods,services,or other forms of public accommodation to lesbian,gay,bisexual,or transgender people;prohibit the state from interfering if parents put their children through so-called "conversion therapy";and to fire any state employee who grants (such as authorized by the district court ruling in Bishop v. Oklahoma ) a same-sex marriage license. [15]
On May 2,2011,The Oklahoma State House of Representatives publicly reprimanded Kern for the comments she made which some people interpreted as unflattering to blacks and women during a debate on affirmative action. Rep. Mike Shelton,D-Oklahoma City,made the motion to reprimand her. A member objected,and the House voted 76–17 to reprimand Kern. [16] [17]
In 2011,she published her memoir,The Stoning of Sally Kern:The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism –and Why We Must Take a Stand. [18]
She is married to Steve Kern,pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in the Oklahoma City area. [19]
Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
Sally Kern,Rep. | 8,815 | 67.65% | Won |
Ronald E. Wasson,Dem. | 4,215 | 32.35% | Lost |
Name | Outcome |
---|---|
Sally Kern,Rep. | Won (Unopposed at filing) |
Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
Sally Kern,Rep. | 7,230 | 57.95% | Won |
Ron Marlett,Dem. | 5,247 | 42.05% | Lost |
Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
Sally Kern,Rep. | 5,717 | 65.90% | Won |
Brittany M. Novotny,Dem. | 2,958 | 34.10% | Lost |
In 2012,she was opposed in the Republican primary by small business owner Curtis Moore,but defeated him by 1500 votes to 507 for Moore;she was unopposed in the general election. [23]
In 2014 she was unopposed in both the primary and general elections. [24]
In 2016 she was term-limited and did not seek re-election. [25]
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