Sally Kern | |
|---|---|
 Sally Kern in 2011. | |
| Member of theOklahoma House of Representatives from the 84th district | |
| In office January 4, 2005 – January 9, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | William D. Graves |
| Succeeded by | Tammy West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1946-11-27)November 27, 1946 (age 79) Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. |
| 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 theOklahoma House of Representatives for the 84th district from 2005 to 2017.
Kern was born inJonesboro, Arkansas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from theUniversity of Texas at Arlington and a teaching credential fromEast Texas State University.[1]
Kern authored a bill, which passed theOklahoma House of Representatives in March 2008, mandating that students who believe inYoung Earth creationism still receive passing grades inEarth science classes.[2] After being passed in the House, it was voted down in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.[3]
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 GovernorBrad Henry.[4]
In March 2008, Kern made national headlines when she stated thathomosexuality was a greater threat to national security thanterrorism.[5]
After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern refused to apologize.[6][5][7] She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later.[8] In response to Kern's comments, hundreds ofgay andlesbian rights supporters protested at theOklahoma State Capitol.[9] Over 1500 people later turned out at the Capitol to support her.[10][11]
Kern claimed to have received death threats that caused her to hire abodyguard.[12][13]
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, ortransgender 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 inBishop v. Oklahoma) asame-sex marriage license.[14]
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.[15][16]
In 2011, she published her memoir,The Stoning of Sally Kern: The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism – and Why We Must Take a Stand.[17]
She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in the Oklahoma City area.[18]
| 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.[22]
In 2014 she was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.[23]
In 2016 she was term-limited and did not seek re-election.[24]