Justin Humphrey

Justin J. J. Humphrey (born August 17, 1966) 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]

Justin Humphrey
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 19th district
Assumed office
January 2017
Preceded byR. C. Pruett
Personal details
Born (1966-08-17) August 17, 1966
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceLane, Oklahoma
Alma materEast Central University

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] He was born on August 17, 1966.

Humphrey graduated from East Central University. He worked for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for twenty years before retiring.[3] He has served as vice president of his local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.[3]

Political career

Humphrey first ran for the State House in 2016 as the Republican nominee.[4] In the November election he won the 19th District seat 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%).[5] District 19 includes Choctaw, Pushmataha, Atoka, and Bryan counties.[5]

On February 6, 2017, Humphrey introduced in the state House an anti-abortion bill (House Bill 1441) to require women to obtain the "written informed consent of the father" before obtaining an abortion,[1][6] except in cases of rape, incest and the mother's health.[6] Humphrey's bill would also compel women "to tell her doctor the father's name and prevents the abortion if the father challenges paternity."[6][7] 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.[7]

In an interview with The Intercept in February 2017, Humphrey referred to pregnant women as "hosts" for the fetus, prompting outrage and criticism from many quarters.[8] 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."[9] 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.[10][11] H.B. 1441 was never brought up for a vote in the House.[12]

In 2018 he was elected to a second term by 68.27% over his Democratic opponent's 31.73%.[13]

Personal life

Humphrey and his wife, Carla, have three children.[3]

See also

References
  1. Oklahoma Republican stands by calling pregnant women 'hosts', Associated Press (February 13, 2017).
  2. "Vote Justin Humphrey State Reprsentative". justinhumphreydistrict19.com. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  3. New Faces at the Capitol 2017, Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, page 11.
  4. Justin "JJ" Humphrey Files for Oklahoma House District 19, FortySix News (April 20, 2016).
  5. Oklahoma 19th District State House, New York Times (December 16, 2016).
  6. Dale Denwalt, Lawmaker calls pregnant women 'hosts', The Oklahoman (February 14, 2017).
  7. Lorne Fultonberg, Bill would require man's permission for abortion, KFOR (February 8, 2017).
  8. Sandhya Somashekhar & Amy B. Wang, Lawmaker who called pregnant women a 'host' pushes bill requiring fathers to approve abortion, Washington Post (February 14, 2017).
  9. Dehumanizing language is the wrong approach on abortion, The Oklahoman (February 16, 2017).
  10. Randy Krehbiel, House committee changes mind, passes two bills limiting abortion, Tulsa World (February 14, 2017).
  11. William W. Savage III, Abortion bills advance, Humphrey says 'ignorant and stupid won't get you very far with me', NonDoc (February 14, 2017).
  12. "Legislative Research: OK HB1441, 2017, Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  13. "General Election — November 6, 2018". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
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