{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Sally Kern | image = File:Kern, Sally.jpg | caption = Sally Kern in 2011. | image_size = | state_house = Oklahoma | district = 84th | term_start = January 4, 2005 | term_end = January 9, 2017 | predecessor = William D. Graves | successor = Tammy West | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|11|27|mf=y}} | birth_place = Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Steve Kern | education = University of Texas at Arlington (BA) | children = 1 }} '''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.
== Early life and education == 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sally Kern|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Sally_Kern|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}}</ref>
==Career== 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/oese/ |title=Legislative: HB 2211 Passes House Education Committee. Help Defeat this Very Bad Bill! |access-date=March 11, 2008 |work=Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education }}</ref> After being passed in the House, it was voted down in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/oese/ | title = House Bill 2211 (Kern's 'Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act') Dies In Committee | access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/henry-vetoes-religious-viewpoints-antidiscrimination-act/article_b7f8a6cd-038e-5422-ba90-ec1960f0b6dc.html | title = Henry vetoes 'Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act' | date = June 6, 2008 | publisher=Tulsa World | access-date=June 10, 2008}}</ref>
In March 2008, Kern made national headlines when she stated that homosexuality was a greater threat to national security than terrorism.<ref name="democracynow">{{cite web|date=March 11, 2008|title=Oklahoma State Rep.: Gays "Biggest Threat" to US|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/11/headlines#6|access-date=March 14, 2008|work=Democracy Now}}</ref>
After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern refused to apologize.<ref name="McNutt">{{cite web|last=McNutt|first=Michael|date=March 10, 2008|title=Kern vows not to apologize for remarks against homosexuality|url=http://www.newsok.com/article/3214388/|access-date=January 5, 2014|website=Newsok.com}}</ref><ref name="democracynow" /><ref>{{cite web|author=Paul ColichmanChief Executive Officer|date=October 23, 2013|title=PlanetOut online news|url=http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2008/03/10/3|access-date=January 5, 2014|website=Planetout.com}}</ref> She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hinton|first=Mick|date=March 11, 2008|title=Kern cites support from GOP|work=Tulsa World|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080311_1_A9_hUnde16804|access-date=March 13, 2008}}</ref> In response to Kern's comments, hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol.<ref>{{cite news|last=Branson|first=Hailey|date=March 19, 2008|title=Oklahoma: Lawmaker's Comments Bring Protest|page=A17|work=The New York Times|location=New York|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/us/19brfs-LAWMAKER8217_BRF.html?ref=us}}</ref> Over 1500 people later turned out at the Capitol to support her.<ref>{{cite news|last=McNutt|first=Michael|date=April 3, 2008|title=Amid Controversy, Kern Gets Support|work=The Oklahoman|url=http://newsok.com/article/3224704/1207238655|access-date=April 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Branson|first=Hailey R.|date=2008-03-19|title=Oklahoma: Lawmaker's Comments Bring Protest|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/us/19brfs-LAWMAKER8217_BRF.html|access-date=2021-06-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Kern claimed to have received death threats that caused her to hire a bodyguard.<ref name="bodyguard">{{cite web|date=March 14, 2008|title=State Representative Under Attack by Anti-Christian Homosexual Hate Groups|url=http://www.cwfa.org/articles/14871/CFI/misc/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412082101/http://www.cwfa.org/articles/14871/CFI/misc/index.htm|archive-date=April 12, 2008|access-date=March 16, 2008|work=CWFA.org|publisher=Concerned Women for America}}</ref><ref name="bodyguard2">{{cite web|last=Phan|first=Katherine T.|date=March 15, 2008|title=Lawmaker Threatened for Comparing Gay Lifestyle to Terrorism|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/lawmaker-threatened-for-comparing-gay-lifestyle-to-terrorism-31528/|access-date=May 10, 2018|work=Christian Post Reporter|publisher=The Christian Post}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|first=Hemant|last=Mehta|date=January 23, 2015|title=Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern Files Three of Most Bigoted Anti-Gay Bills You'll Ever See|publisher=Friendly Atheist|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/23/oklahoma-state-rep-sally-kern-files-three-of-most-bigoted-anti-gay-bills-youll-ever-see/}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNutt|first=Michael|date=May 3, 2011|title=Oklahoma House reprimands Rep. Sally Kern|url=http://newsok.com/oklahoma-house-reprimands-rep.-sally-kern/article/3564084|work=The Oklahoman}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 2, 2011|title=Oklahoma House Votes To Reprimand Sally Kern|publisher=KWTV-DT|url=http://www.news9.com/story/14556870/oklahoma-house-votes-to-reprimand-sally-kern}}</ref>
In 2011, she published her memoir, ''The Stoning of Sally Kern: The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism – and Why We Must Take a Stand''.<ref name="McNutt (2011)">{{cite news|last1=McNutt|first1=Michael|title=Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern writes book on national outcry|url=http://newsok.com/oklahoma-state-rep.-sally-kern-writes-book-on-national-outcry/article/3546056|access-date=April 2, 2015|publisher=NewsOK|date=March 5, 2011}}</ref>
== Personal life == She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in the Oklahoma City area.<ref name="OKhousesite">[http://okhouse.gov/Committees/Member.aspx?MemberID=87 Oklahoma House of Representatives – Sally Kern].</ref>
==Election history== *'''2004 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84'''<ref name="2004 results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ok.gov/~elections/04gen.html |title=General Election November 4, 2004 Summary Results |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |access-date=March 12, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080305190733/http://www.ok.gov/~elections/04gen.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 5, 2008}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome |-{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sally Kern, Rep.''' |'''8,815''' | '''67.65%''' | '''Won''' |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Ronald E. Wasson, Dem. |4,215 | 32.35% | Lost |} *'''2006 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84'''<ref name="2006 results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ok.gov/~elections/06unopp.pdf |title=Unopposed Candidates Elected |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |access-date=March 26, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080319200215/http://www.ok.gov/~elections/06unopp.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 19, 2008}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !Name !Outcome |-{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sally Kern, Rep.''' | '''Won (Unopposed at filing)''' |} *'''2008 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84'''<ref name="2008 primary opponent"/> {| class="wikitable" |- !Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome |-{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sally Kern, Rep.''' |'''7,230''' | '''57.95%''' | '''Won''' |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Ron Marlett, Dem. |5,247 | 42.05% | Lost |} *'''2010 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84'''<ref name="2008 primary opponent">{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/kern-foe-files-terrill-cargill-draw-opponents/article/3252325 |title=Kern foe files; Terrill, Cargill draw opponents |work=The Oklahoman |access-date=June 10, 2008}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome |-{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sally Kern, Rep.''' |'''5,717''' | '''65.90%''' | '''Won''' |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/OK/39733/90635/Web01/en/summary.html |title=Official election results for primary |publisher=Results.enr.clarityelections.com |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref>
In 2014 she was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.<ref>[http://ballotpedia.org/Sally_Kern#2014 Ballotpedia]</ref>
In 2016 she was term-limited and did not seek re-election.<ref>[http://ballotpedia.org/Sally_Kern#2016 Ballotpedia]</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * [http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=46295 Project Vote Smart – Representative Sally R. Kern] * [http://www.library.okstate.edu/oralhistory/wotol/kern/index.htm Sally Kern – Women of the Oklahoma Legislature Oral History Project Oklahoma State University Library]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kern, Sally}} Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Category:21st-century members of the Oklahoma Legislature Category:Politicians from Jonesboro, Arkansas Category:University of Texas at Arlington alumni Category:Women state legislators in Oklahoma Category:21st-century American women politicians