{{short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jason Rapert | image = Jason Rapert by Gage Skidmore.jpg | state_senate = Arkansas | district = 35th | term_start = January 15, 2013 | term_end = January 15, 2023 | predecessor = Bill Pritchard | successor = | state_senate2 = Arkansas | district2 = 18th | term_start2 = January 10, 2011 | term_end2 = January 15, 2013 | predecessor2 = Bob Johnson | successor2 = Missy Irvin | birth_name = Stanley Jason Rapert | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|4|3}} | birth_place = Pocahontas, Arkansas, U.S. | death_date = | death_cause = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = {{marriage|Laurie Tyler|1990}} | children = 2 | alma_mater = University of Central Arkansas | profession = | website = }}
'''Stanley Jason Rapert''' (born April 3, 1972)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://static.ark.org/eeuploads/arml/91st_AR_General_Assembly.pdf |title=91st Arkansas General Assembly Legislative Directory |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301225027/https://static.ark.org/eeuploads/arml/91st_AR_General_Assembly.pdf |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> is an American politician from the state of Arkansas. A member of the Republican Party, he was a member of the Arkansas State Senate from 2011 to 2023, representing the 18th district and then the 35th district.
==Early life, education, and career== In 1990, Rapert married Laurie Ellen Tyler of Pocahontas in Randolph County and a member of the Jarrett Tribe Family.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mcnabbfh.secure.tributecenteronline.com/obituaries/James-Eldon-Jarrett-Sr?obId=1165177 | title=Obituary information for James Eldon Jarrett, Sr }}</ref> The couple moved to Conway, where they both attended the University of Central Arkansas, where he majored in Political Science and Sociology. He worked for United Parcel Service while attending college.<ref name="suntimes" />
Rapert is the founder and president of Holy Ghost Ministries.<ref name=suntimes/> A 2012 profile in a local newspaper reported that he made annual missionary visits to Ghana.<ref name=suntimes/>
==State Senate (2011–2023)== Rapert was elected in 2010 to the Arkansas State Senate, representing the 18th district. As a result of decennial redistricting, he sought reelection in the 35th district in 2012, when he defeated Democrat Linda Tyler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox16.com/news/politics/republican-rapert-wins-heated-arkansas-senate-race/ |title=Republican Rapert wins heated Arkansas Senate race|publisher=Associated Press|via=KLRT-TV|date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060849/http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Republican-Rapert-wins-heated-Arkansas-Senate-race/n-kVhAoeHUigY9ADsWPqCg.cspx?rss=315|archive-date=October 23, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> In the general election held on November 4, 2014, Rapert won a four-year term in the state Senate by defeating Democrat Joel Pearson, 13,483 votes to 10,267.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thv11.com/elections/|title=Arkansas 2014 general election results|publisher=thv11.com|access-date=December 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224022716/http://www.thv11.com/elections/|archive-date=December 24, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Rapert is a member of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).<ref name=BiographyOff>{{cite web |title=Biography of the Honorable Jason Rapert, Arkansas State Senator |url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/Member%20Profiles/Jason%20Rapert%20-%20Senate%20Bio.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212103927/http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/Member%20Profiles/Jason%20Rapert%20-%20Senate%20Bio.pdf |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2013 |publisher=arkleg.state.ar.us |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Rapert has embraced the label of Christian nationalist.<ref name=LarsonDAnnunzio>Henry Larson & Francesca D'Annunzio, [https://azmirror.com/2023/09/11/a-group-of-far-right-christian-lawmakers-aims-to-merge-church-and-state/ A group of far-right Christian lawmakers aims to merge church and state], News21 (September 11, 2023).</ref> In 2019, Rapert founded the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), a far-right group that seeks to dismantle separation of church and state.<ref name=LarsonDAnnunzio/> In an interview in 2023, Rapert described America as a country that had "reached a level of debauchery and immorality that is at biblical proportions."<ref name=LarsonDAnnunzio/> He recruited influential figures of the Christian right, including Mike Huckabee, Bob McEwen, and Tony Perkins, to join the group's advisory board.<ref name=LarsonDAnnunzio/>
In 2017, Rapert introduced legislation to remove the names of the Clintons from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.<ref>Tafi Mukunyadzi, [https://apnews.com/national-national-general-news-64f1623b751444a0a5d190c10dfa965a Naming airport after Clintons doesn't fly with GOP lawmaker], Associated Press (February 26, 2017).</ref>
===Reproductive rights=== {{Main|Abortion in Arkansas}} Rapert supports banning abortion without exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the mother.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Jan |date=2022-06-09 |title=The New Abortion Bans: Almost No Exceptions for Rape, Incest or Health |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/09/health/abortion-bans-rape-incest.html |access-date=2022-07-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2013, Rapert authored a bill to ban all abortions in Arkansas after twelve weeks of pregnancy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eckholm|first1=Eric|title=Arkansas's Abortion Ban and One Man's Strong Will|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/us/arkansas-senator-jason-raperts-abortion-ban.html?_r=0|access-date=January 24, 2016|work=New York Times|date=March 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804055914/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/us/arkansas-senator-jason-raperts-abortion-ban.html?_r=0|archive-date=August 4, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Then-Governor Mike Beebe (D) vetoed the bill as unconstitutional, but Republican-majority Legislature overrode the veto.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lyon|first1=John|title=Supreme Court Declines To Rule On Arkansas Abortion Law|url=http://swtimes.com/news/supreme-court-declines-rule-arkansas-abortion-law|work=Times Record|date=January 19, 2016|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121161733/http://swtimes.com/news/supreme-court-declines-rule-arkansas-abortion-law|archive-date=January 21, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2013, a federal judge stopped the law from being implemented, saying it was likely unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/us/abortion-law-in-arkansas-is-blocked-by-us-judge.html | work=The New York Times | first=Erik | last=Eckholm | title=Abortion Law in Arkansas Is Blocked by U.S. Judge | date=May 17, 2013 | access-date=February 27, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406042951/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/us/abortion-law-in-arkansas-is-blocked-by-us-judge.html | archive-date=April 6, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In January 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the State's petition for a writ of certiorari to review the case.<ref>{{cite news|title=Home / News / Supreme Court rejects Arkansas bid to revive abortion law|url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/jan/19/supreme-court-rejects-arkansas-bid-revive-abortion/|access-date=January 24, 2016|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122040942/http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/jan/19/supreme-court-rejects-arkansas-bid-revive-abortion/|archive-date=January 22, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The State of Arkansas was ordered to pay over $97,000 in attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing plaintiffs before the Supreme Court decision was finalized.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brantley|first1=Max|title=U.S. Supreme Court refuses review of court ruling overturning Arkansas's 12-week abortion limit|url=http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/01/19/us-supreme-court-refuses-review-of-arkansass-12-week-abortion-limit#more|work=Arkansas Times|date=January 19, 2016|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121202723/http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/01/19/us-supreme-court-refuses-review-of-arkansass-12-week-abortion-limit#more|archive-date=January 21, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Minorities=== At a 2011 Tea Party rally, Rapert said, "we're not going to allow minorities to run roughshod over what you people believe in".<ref>{{citation|author=Norm Ornstein|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/when-extremism-goes-mainstream/374955/|title=When Extremism Goes Mainstream|work=The Atlantic|date=August 2014|access-date=March 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016070837/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/when-extremism-goes-mainstream/374955/|archive-date=October 16, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=GOP State Legislator Asks Why America Can't Be More Like Saudi Arabia|author=Samantha Lachman|work=The Huffington Post|date=June 10, 2014|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/10/jason-rapert-saudi-arabia_n_5481020.html|access-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705124559/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/10/jason-rapert-saudi-arabia_n_5481020.html|archive-date=July 5, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Rapert later claimed that his remarks about minorities were taken out of context.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sen. Jason Rapert releases statement on 'Heartbeat Bill', 'minorities' comment|url=http://archive.thv11.com/news/govt_politics/246968/125/Sen-Rapert-releases-statement-on-Heartbeat-Bill-minorities-comment|access-date=24 January 2016|date=February 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129071215/http://archive.thv11.com/news/govt_politics/246968/125/Sen-Rapert-releases-statement-on-Heartbeat-Bill-minorities-comment|archive-date=January 29, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The "minority" comments Rapert made in 2011 referenced both Barack Obama and a ballot initiative (Arkansas Proposed Initiative Act No. 1 (2008)) stricken as unconstitutional that prohibited unmarried cohabitating couples from adopting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sen. Jason Rapert releases statement on 'Heartbeat Bill', 'minorities' comment|url=http://archive.thv11.com/news/govt_politics/246968/125/Sen-Rapert-releases-statement-on-Heartbeat-Bill-minorities-comment|access-date=January 24, 2016|date=February 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129071215/http://archive.thv11.com/news/govt_politics/246968/125/Sen-Rapert-releases-statement-on-Heartbeat-Bill-minorities-comment|archive-date=January 29, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The Federalist Society">{{cite web|last1=Pratt|first1=Jordan|title=Arkansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban on Adoption by Unmarried Cohabitating Couples|url=http://www.fed-soc.org/publications/detail/arkansas-supreme-court-strikes-down-ban-on-adoption-by-unmarried-cohabitating-couples|publisher=The Federalist Society|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201035428/http://www.fed-soc.org/publications/detail/arkansas-supreme-court-strikes-down-ban-on-adoption-by-unmarried-cohabitating-couples|archive-date=February 1, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Arkansas act had been criticized for prohibiting gay couples from adopting.<ref name="The Federalist Society"/>
On June 30, 2015, the Jason Rapert for Arkansas Senate Facebook page announced, in response to a post suggesting that the rights of minorities are not subject to majority wishes, that "we the majority grant you rights by choice."<ref name=arktimes20150630>{{citation|title=The line is open; with today's video and also: Child abuse and more crazy Rapert|author=Max Brantley|work=Arkansas Times|date=June 30, 2015|url=http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/06/30/the-line-is-open-with-todays-video|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701162543/http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/06/30/the-line-is-open-with-todays-video|archive-date=July 1, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Later on that same day, the Facebook page accused Max Brantley and the ''Arkansas Times'' as a whole, of reporting that Rapert does not "recognize God has endowed us with natural rights that are given by God that no man can take away."<ref name=arktimes20150630/>
===LGBT issues=== While running for the Arkansas General Assembly, Rapert stated: "Traditional marriage in our society has always been between one man and one woman. I support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects that right now and forevermore."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jasonrapertforsenate.com/?q=content%2Fissues |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115032903/http://www.jasonrapertforsenate.com/?q=content%2Fissues |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 15, 2011 |title=Jason Rapert for State Senate 18 – Issues |access-date=2017-04-19 }}</ref> As a member of the Arkansas Legislative Council, a powerful committee in the Arkansas General Assembly, Rapert proposed a non-binding resolution to "urge the Arkansas Supreme Court to overturn a circuit judge’s ruling striking down Arkansas’ same-sex marriage ban."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lyon|first1=John|title=Legislators adopt resolution opposing judge's ruling on gay marriage|url=http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/legislators-adopt-resolution-opposing-judge-s-ruling-gay-marriage|work=Arkansas News|date=20 June 2014|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010606/http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/legislators-adopt-resolution-opposing-judge-s-ruling-gay-marriage|archive-date=February 2, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Rapert initially proposed impeaching the judge who issued the ruling, but later stated he wanted to establish a system of judicial recall.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lyon|first1=John|title=Unhappy with ruling on gay marriage, some want ability to recall judges|url=http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/unhappy-ruling-gay-marriage-some-want-ability-recall-judges|work=Arkansas News Bureau|date=22 June 2014|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202034956/http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/unhappy-ruling-gay-marriage-some-want-ability-recall-judges|archive-date=February 2, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On June 7, 2015, Rapert took to Facebook to "urge everyone to contact the Conway City Council and Mayor Tab Townsell in opposition to allowing activists to march through the streets of Conway on a Sunday to mock Christian values and accuse Christians of being bigots", in protest of the Conway Gay Pride Parade that was scheduled to take place later that same day, which he deemed an anti-Christian activity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anti-Christian activists will march through the streets of Conway tomorrow and the Conway city council enables them to do so on a Sunday, the Lord's day|author=Jason Rapert for Arkansas Senate |date=June 6, 2015|via=Facebook|url=https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10152874751361304&id=267072741303}}</ref> According to ''The Chicago Sun-Times'', responses to the Facebook post were "largely mocking".<ref>{{citation|title=Arkansas lawmaker: Gay pride parades on Sundays 'mock Christians'|author=Chad Merda|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 8, 2015|url=http://national.suntimes.com/national-world-news/7/72/1254897/arkansas-lawmaker-gay-pride-parades-sundays-mock-christians|access-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704215416/http://national.suntimes.com/national-world-news/7/72/1254897/arkansas-lawmaker-gay-pride-parades-sundays-mock-christians|archive-date=July 4, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in ''Obergefell v. Hodges'', which recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, Rapert claimed that the Court's ruling was unconstitutional.<ref name="Arkansas Democrate-Gazette">{{cite news|title=Cleburne County clerk will resign over same-sex marriage licenses|url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/jun/29/rapert-told-one-clerk-will-resign-issuing-same-sex/|access-date=January 24, 2016|work=Arkansas Democrate-Gazette|date=June 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122052246/http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/jun/29/rapert-told-one-clerk-will-resign-issuing-same-sex/|archive-date=January 22, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Rapert encouraged public officials "to refuse to comply with an unjust ruling that violates religious freedom and states rights".<ref name="Arkansas Democrate-Gazette"/>
In 2017, Rapert took to Facebook and compared LGBT people to the Nazis, stating that "LGBT activists ... demand full compliance with their diminished morality. They clearly behave just like the 'brown shirts' and 'SS' troops."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jeff |title=Senator compares LGBT people to Nazis & then fundraises off the outrage he caused |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2017/08/senator-compares-lgbt-people-nazis-fundraises-off-outrage-caused/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=LGBTQ Nation|date=August 18, 2017 }}</ref>
In January 2020, Rapert suggested cutting funding for PBS and AETN (Arkansas PBS) for the appearance of gay actor Billy Porter on ''Sesame Street'', saying: "I can pass a bill to cutoff all funding for the rebroadcast of PBS programming through AETN and also stop all funding for AETN altogether if necessary".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=David |date=2020-02-03 |title=Rapert objects to appearance of gay actor Billy Porter on Sesame Street, questions AETN funding |url=https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2020/02/03/rapert-objects-to-appearance-of-gay-actor-billy-porter-on-sesame-street-questions-aetn-funding|website=Arkansas Times |language=en-US}}</ref> A Facebook commenter asked "if Jesus would approve of your judgment and intolerance?" To which he replied: "You are totally amiss and you know it. Christians do not support anti-Biblical behavior. The Bible is clear on certain sins — including homosexuality. Romans Chapter 1 and the Book of Jude just to cite two examples are very clear about this issue. Jesus never endorsed homosexual behavior and opposed it as he referenced Sodom and Gomorrah. Speaking the truth is not hatred. If you oppose the Bible, you are not a sincere Christian."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republican lawmaker wants to cut funding from 'Sesame Street' because Billy Porter will appear on it|newspaper=New York Daily News |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-billy-porter-sesame-street-republican-jason-rapert-20200207-yvk3njovxrgx7nlzcnqocfd2he-story.html|date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref>
In February 2023, Rapert said on an episode of ''Save The Nation'' that the Christians must take authority over "the drag queens running this place", stating that: "We must take authority, God told us to go out there and be fruitful, multiply, fill the Earth, subdue it, and have dominion over everything. Friends, the reason the country is struggling because the Christians in America have failed to take authority and now is the time to choose, now is the time to stand."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Alex |title=GOP lawmaker tells Christians to take authority over the "drag queens running this place" |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/02/gop-lawmaker-tells-christians-to-take-authority-over-the-drag-queens-running-this-place/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=LGBTQ Nation|date=February 7, 2023 }}</ref>
=== Medical marijuana === In November 2016, Arkansas became the first state in the Bible Belt to legalize medical marijuana; a ballot referendum to legalize marijuana for medical use passed by nearly 70,000 votes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/11/08/arkansas-medical-marijuana-results-issue-6-election-2016/66133/|title=Arkansas medical marijuana Issue 6 passes, marking milestone in Bible Belt|work=The Cannabist|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214020546/https://www.thecannabist.co/2016/11/08/arkansas-medical-marijuana-results-issue-6-election-2016/66133/|archive-date=February 14, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Rapert opposed the campaign; he introduced legislation to ban the consumption of medical marijuana in smoked form, and to delay legalization as long as federal laws continued to ban marijuana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/01/25/rapert-seeks-to-derail-medical-marijuana-amendment-floats-ban-on-smoking-marijuana|title=Rapert seeks to derail medical marijuana amendment, floats ban on smoking marijuana|last=Ramsey|first=David|work=Arkansas Times|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153913/https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/01/25/rapert-seeks-to-derail-medical-marijuana-amendment-floats-ban-on-smoking-marijuana|archive-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> When asked whether it was hypocritical for him to oppose medical marijuana in favor of federal law, while opposing marriage equality ''in spite'' of federal law,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/02/28/rapert-passes-measures-aimed-at-banning-same-sex-marriage-and-abortion-on-second-votes|title=Rapert passes measures aimed at banning same-sex marriage and abortion on second votes|last=Brantley|first=Max|work=Arkansas Times|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119201133/https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/02/28/rapert-passes-measures-aimed-at-banning-same-sex-marriage-and-abortion-on-second-votes|archive-date=November 19, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> he responded with "Watch your language with me or we'll stop the interview".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/02/04/your-daily-dose-of-jason-rapert|title=Your daily dose of Jason Rapert|last=Ramsey|first=David|work=Arkansas Times|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015055403/https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/02/04/your-daily-dose-of-jason-rapert|archive-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Ten Commandments monuments === Rapert pushed for the installation of a privately funded Ten Commandments Monument on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol. Rapert sponsored a bill in 2015 which would require the secretary of state to allow for the installation of the monument. The monument was challenged by the ACLU as being a violation of clauses in both the federal and state constitutions prohibiting the government from favoring any religion.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Steve|title=Ten Commandments monument installed in Arkansas; ACLU vows court fight|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-arkansas-commandments/ten-commandments-monument-installed-in-arkansas-aclu-vows-court-fight-idUSKBN19I2OO|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=Reuters|date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430114540/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-arkansas-commandments/ten-commandments-monument-installed-in-arkansas-aclu-vows-court-fight-idUSKBN19I2OO|archive-date=April 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wamsley|first1=Laurel|title=Ten Commandments Installed At Arkansas State Capitol; ACLU Plans Lawsuit|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/27/534558892/ten-commandments-installed-at-arkansas-state-capitol-aclu-plans-lawsuit|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=NPR.org|date=June 27, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423131803/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/27/534558892/ten-commandments-installed-at-arkansas-state-capitol-aclu-plans-lawsuit|archive-date=April 23, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The first version of the monument was installed in 2017, and was destroyed less than 24 hours later.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Petit|first1=Emma|title=Arrest made after Ten Commandments monument at Arkansas Capitol toppled, shattered|url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jun/28/ten-commandments-monument-arkansas-capitol-toppled/|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=Arkansas Online|date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430115336/http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jun/28/ten-commandments-monument-arkansas-capitol-toppled/|archive-date=April 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Legal challenges were suspended until a replacement monument could be installed. The new version, with protective concrete bollards, was unveiled April 27, 2018. The monument was again challenged by the ACLU, the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers, and The Satanic Temple. The Satanic Temple had successfully challenged a similar monument in Oklahoma in 2015, and in both locations has offered to install a bronze monument to Baphomet as a symbol of religious pluralism and freedom.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hardy|first1=Benjamin|title=Ten Commandments rise again at Capitol, but Satanic Temple says Arkansas law is on its side|url=https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2018/04/27/ten-commandments-rise-again-at-capitol-but-satanic-temple-says-arkansas-law-is-on-its-side|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=Arkansas Times|date=April 27, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427181719/https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2018/04/27/ten-commandments-rise-again-at-capitol-but-satanic-temple-says-arkansas-law-is-on-its-side/|archive-date=April 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bleed|first1=Jill|last2=DeMillo|first2=Andrew|title=Arkansas Replaces Ten Commandments Monument at State Capitol|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arkansas/articles/2018-04-26/arkansas-replaces-ten-commandments-monument-at-state-capitol|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=U.S. News & World Report|agency=Associated Press|date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430181257/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arkansas/articles/2018-04-26/arkansas-replaces-ten-commandments-monument-at-state-capitol|archive-date=April 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chappel|first1=Bill|title=Arkansas Installs A New Ten Commandments Monument At Its Capitol|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/26/606029241/arkansas-installs-a-new-ten-commandments-monument-at-its-capitol|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=NPR.org|date=April 26, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427194211/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/26/606029241/arkansas-installs-a-new-ten-commandments-monument-at-its-capitol|archive-date=April 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Comments on nuclear weapons=== In February 2015, Rapert stated that the United States should use nuclear weapons in response to the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.<ref name="Esquire">{{citation |author=Charles P. Pierce |title=Jason Rapert Wants To Nuke ISIS |date=February 17, 2015 |url=http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a33172/jason-rapert-wants-to-nuke-isis/ |work=Esquire |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219161430/http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a33172/jason-rapert-wants-to-nuke-isis/ |quote=Here's Some Stupid For Lunch |access-date=February 19, 2015 |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 16, 2015 |title=If Jason Rapert didn't exist, we'd have to invent him |url=http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/02/16/if-jason-rapert-didnt-exist-wed-have-to-invent-him |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218124745/http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/02/16/if-jason-rapert-didnt-exist-wed-have-to-invent-him |archive-date=February 18, 2015 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |work=Arkansas Times |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The post sparked a "lively debate...rang[ing] from agreement to ridicule" on social media:<ref>{{citation |title=State Senator calls for using nukes on ISIS |date=February 15, 2015 |url=http://www.thv11.com/story/news/2015/02/15/state-senator-calls-for-using-nukes-on-isis/23476675/ |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707092058/http://www.thv11.com/story/news/2015/02/15/state-senator-calls-for-using-nukes-on-isis/23476675/ |location=Little Rock, Arkansas |publisher=KTHV News |access-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-date=July 7, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Wonkette'' replied sarcastically to this stance,<ref>{{citation |author=Doktor Zoom |title=Arkansas State Senator: Liberals Love ISIS So Much They Don't Even Want Nuclear War |date=February 17, 2015 |url=http://wonkette.com/576484/arkansas-state-senator-liberals-love-isis-so-much-they-dont-even-want-nuclear-war |work=Wonkette |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709031339/http://wonkette.com/576484/arkansas-state-senator-liberals-love-isis-so-much-they-dont-even-want-nuclear-war |quote=Can't see how anyone could object to a few nuclear strikes in the Middle East — it's all just sand and camels anyway... |access-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-date=July 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> as did ''Daily Kos'',<ref>{{citation |author=Hunter |title=Arkansas State Sen. Jason Rapert: America should nuke ISIS |date=February 17, 2015 |url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/17/1365071/-Arkansas-State-Sen-Jason-Rapert-America-should-nuke-ISIS |work=Daily Kos |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707104508/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/17/1365071/-Arkansas-State-Sen-Jason-Rapert-America-should-nuke-ISIS |quote=...after persons pointed out that State Sen. Jason Rapert was quite possibly a raging idiot, he was then of course obligated to defend his plan... |access-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-date=July 7, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Esquire''.<ref name="Esquire" />
===Social media=== In early September 2015, after having been approached by a local constituent at a store, Rapert posted a tweet that read, "Not smart to come up and harass somebody in a parking lot who's carrying a handgun. Better be glad you decided to walk away #armed&ready", which became the center of a controversy on social media.<ref name="abc7">Jordan Bontke for KATV. September 10, 2015 [http://katv.com/news/local/senator-rapert-explains-controversial-gun-tweet Senator Rapert explains controversial gun tweet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131054014/http://katv.com/news/local/senator-rapert-explains-controversial-gun-tweet |date=January 31, 2016 }}</ref><ref>Jonathan Rozelle for KARK. September 7, 2015. [http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/state-senator-under-fire-after-tweet State Senator Comes Under Fire After Tweet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122205018/http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/state-senator-under-fire-after-tweet |date=January 22, 2016 }}</ref> Rapert said that the tweet was not referring to the incident with that constituent.<ref name="abc7" />
In February 2019, the sludge metal band Eyehategod posted a Facebook event for a show booked in Little Rock that used a picture of Rapert eating a baby, and Rapert spoke out, calling for a protest of the venue and the band, saying "I call on Vinos in Little Rock to cancel this event and apologize for such a disrespectful image that shows the dehumanization of babies lives. It is disrespectful of all who value babies lives and people of faith" and urged the band to find the "love, grace and mercy of God and choose to update their name to 'EyeloveGod'" in a later update to his post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/arkansas-state-senator-not-cool-181008386.html|title = Arkansas state senator not cool with Eyehategod concert poster showing him eating a baby| date=February 6, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/arkansas-senator-jason-rapert-eyehategod-poster/|title = Arkansas Senator calls out venue for poster of him eating a baby|website = Alternative Press|date = February 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/eyehategod-respond-arkansas-senator-baby-eating-poster-controversy|title = Eyehategod Respond to Arkansas Senator Baby-Eating Poster Controversy|date = February 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/22067695960/10157588493290961 |archive-date = 2022-04-27| url = https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEyeHateGod/posts/10157588493290961 |title = Eyehategod on Facebook |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>
====Social media lawsuit==== In 2018, after Rapert blocked several critics on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, the group American Atheists sued Rapert, alleging that the blocking violated constituents' First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://katv.com/news/local/atheist-group-files-lawsuit-against-jason-rapert-on-social-media-blocking|title = Atheist group files lawsuit against Jason Rapert on social media blocking|date = October 2, 2018}}</ref> In 2022, Rapert settled the suit; as part of the settlement, he was required to unblock the accounts, and the State of Arkansas paid $16,291 to cover the plaintiffs' legal fees.<ref>Josie Lenora, [https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-08-18/arkansas-sen-rapert-settles-lawsuit-brought-by-atheist-group Arkansas Sen. Jason Rapert settles lawsuit with atheist group], KUAR (August 18, 2022).</ref><ref>Andrew Demillo, [https://apnews.com/article/religion-social-media-lawsuits-arkansas-e4bebcfcb0be8fee4c448f005195723e Settlement requires Arkansas senator to unblock critics], Associated Press (August 17, 2022).</ref>
==Campaign for lieutenant governor== In August 2019, Rapert said he would seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Arkansas in the 2022 election.<ref>[https://apnews.com/general-news-3070787dd4964d7cafc1febcbbc0c838# Rapert says he's running for Arkansas lieutenant governor], Associated Press (August 2, 2019).</ref> A crowded field of other Republicans also ran, including Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge; Doyle Webb, the chairman of the state Republican Party, Greg Bledsoe, the state surgeon general; Joseph Wood, the Washington County county judge; and Chris Bequette, an attorney.<ref>Roby Brock, [https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-11-09/rutledge-drops-out-of-arkansas-governors-race-will-run-for-lt-governor Rutledge drops out of Arkansas governor's race, will run for lt. governor], KUAR (November 9, 2021).</ref> Rutledge defeated Rapert in the Republican primary election.<ref name=Vrbin>Tess Vrbin, [https://arkansasadvocate.com/2023/12/15/arkansas-senate-confirms-former-gop-sen-jason-rapert-to-state-library-board/ Arkansas Senate confirms former GOP Sen. Jason Rapert to state library board], ''Arkansas Advocate'' (December 15, 2023).</ref>
==State Library Board (2023–2025)== In December 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Rapart to the seven-member Arkansas State Library Board, for a term expiring on October 18, 2029.<ref name=Vrbin/> The state Senate confirmed Rapert's appointment on a 22–10 vote; all six Democratic senators, as well as four of Rapert's Republican former colleagues (Jimmy Hickey Jr., Bryan King, Breanne Davis, and Jane English), voted against confirming him.<ref name=Vrbin/> While a board member, Rapert promoted the book banning movement. In 2024, after the board rejected Rapert's proposals to defund libraries that did not restrict circulation of works he found objectionable, Rapert said of his fellow board members: "You probably should be tarred and feathered. That's what they used to do in America."<ref>Debra Hale-Shelton, [https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/08/27/former-lawmaker-calls-for-tarring-feathering-of-fellow-library-board-members Former lawmaker calls for tarring, feathering of fellow library board members], ''Arkansas Times'' (August 27, 2024).</ref> In April 2025, the Arkansas legislature approved a bill to abolish the library board, supported by Rapert.<ref>https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/apr/02/senate-approves-bill-to-abolish-state-library/</ref> Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has since appointed new board members, minus Rapert.<ref>https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/08/20/following-new-law-arkansas-governor-appoints-six-state-library-board-members/#:~:text=Arkansas%20Gov.,over%20the%20Arkansas%20State%20Library.</ref>
==Personal life== Rapert and his wife have two daughters. He plays the fiddle, which he learned by ear when he was ten years old.<ref name="suntimes">{{cite web|url=https://www.thesuntimes.com/article/20110316/NEWS/303169964?template=printart|title=A personal look at Sen. Rapert|location=Heber Springs, AR|work=The Sun-Times|date=June 29, 2012|access-date=October 22, 2013|archive-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232025/https://www.thesuntimes.com/article/20110316/NEWS/303169964?template=printart|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
In July 2020, during COVID-19 pandemic, Rapert was hospitalized with pneumonia due to COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-state-senator-hospitalized-with-covid-19|title = Arkansas State Sen. Jason Rapert hospitalized with COVID-19|date = July 23, 2020}}</ref>
Rapert is a member of the Gideons International and Rotary International.<ref name=BiographyOff/>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Legislators/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2013%2F2013R&member=Rapert Archive official webpage] at the Arkansas General Assembly website * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=119197 | fec= | congress= }}
{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|Politics|Conservatism|Christianity}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rapert, Jason}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Republican Party Arkansas state senators Category:American Christians Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:University of Central Arkansas alumni Category:People from Randolph County, Arkansas Category:People from Perry County, Arkansas Category:21st-century members of the Arkansas General Assembly