Justin Humphrey
Justin Humphrey | |
---|---|
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 19th district | |
Assumed office January 2017 | |
Preceded by | R. C. Pruett |
Personal details | |
Political party | Republican |
Residence | Lane, Oklahoma |
Alma mater | East Central University |
Justin Humphrey is an American politician from the state of Oklahoma. A Republican, he is a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, representing the state House District 19. He lives in Lane, Oklahoma, in the southeastern part of the state.[1]
Early life and career before politics
Justin Humphrey is the son of Jack Humphrey, a retired Superintendent of Lane Public schools and Linda Humphrey, a Librarian.[2] His mother, Linda, gave birth to him on August 17, 1966.[3] Humphrey graduated from East Central University. He worked for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for twenty years before retiring.[4] He has served as vice president of his local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.[4]
Political career
Humphrey first ran for the State House in 2016,[5] In the November elections, Humphrey, the Republican nominee, won with 7,029 votes (52.5%), defeating Democratic nominee James Campbell, who received 4,750 votes (35.5%) and independent candidate Morgan Hopson, who received 1,620 (12.1%).[6] District 19 includes Choctaw, Pushmataha, Atoka, and Bryan counties.[6]
In the state House, Humphrey introduced an anti-abortion bill (House Bill 1441) to require women to obtain the "written informed consent of the father" before obtaining an abortion,[1][7] except in cases of rape, incest and the mother's health.[7] Humphrey's bill would also compel women "to tell her doctor the father's name and prevents the abortion if the father challenges paternity."[7][8] The legislation was supported by anti-abortion activists and condemned by abortion-rights groups such as the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood, which called it "extreme" and "irresponsible" as well as unconstitutional.[8]
In an interview with The Intercept in February 2017, Humphrey referred to pregnant women as "hosts" for the child, prompting outrage and criticism from many quarters.[9] Fellow State Representative Emily Virgin called the comment "incredibly disrespectful,"[1] while The Oklahoman editorial board wrote that "dehumanizing language is the wrong approach on abortion."[10] Humphrey stood by his use of the term, saying he did not intend to offend anyone.[1]
On February 14, 2017, Humphrey's H.B. 1441 passed the state House Public Health Committee on a 5-2 party-line vote, with Republicans voting yes and Democrats voting no. The committee passed a second anti-abortion bill the same day.[11][12]
Personal life
Humprey has a host, Carla, and three children.[4]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Oklahoma Republican stands by calling pregnant women 'hosts', Associated Press (February 13, 2017).
- ↑ "Vote Justin Humphrey State Reprsentative". justinhumphreydistrict19.com. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ↑ "Justin Humphrey, Lane, OK". mylife.com. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- 1 2 3 New Faces at the Capitol 2017, Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, page 11.
- ↑ Justin "JJ" Humphrey Files for Oklahoma House District 19, FortySix News (April 20, 2016).
- 1 2 Oklahoma 19th District State House, New York Times (December 16, 2016).
- 1 2 3 Dale Denwalt, Lawmaker calls pregnant women 'hosts', The Oklahoman (February 14, 2017).
- 1 2 Lorne Fultonberg, Bill would require man’s permission for abortion, KFOR (February 8, 2017).
- ↑ Sandhya Somashekhar & Amy B. Wang, Lawmaker who called pregnant women a 'host' pushes bill requiring fathers to approve abortion, Washington Post (February 14, 2017).
- ↑ Dehumanizing language is the wrong approach on abortion, The Oklahoman (February 16, 2017).
- ↑ Randy Krehbiel, House committee changes mind, passes two bills limiting abortion, Tulsa World (February 14, 2017).
- ↑ William W. Savage III, Abortion bills advance, Humphrey says 'ignorant and stupid won't get you very far with me', NonDoc (February 14, 2017).