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Justin Humphrey
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 19th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 16, 2016
Preceded byR. C. Pruett
Personal details
Born (1966-08-17) August 17, 1966 (age 58)
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Lane, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma materEast Central University

Justin J. J. Humphrey (born August 17, 1966) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 19th district, which covers parts of the counties of Choctaw, Pushmataha, Atoka, and Bryan. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in the 2016 election and sworn in on November 16, 2016.

Humphrey has gained media coverage for several of his proposed bills during his tenure. He has expressed support for banning abortion except in the cases of the woman's life being in danger, banning transgender athletes from sports, allowing animal control to remove furries from schools, legalizing cockfighting, and for designating all Hispanic street gang members in Oklahoma as terrorists.

Early life and career

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Justin Humphrey is the son of Jack Humphrey, a retired superintendent of Lane Public Schools, and Linda Humphrey, a librarian.[1] Humphrey graduated from East Central University. He worked for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for twenty years before retiring. He has served as vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chapter 147. Humphrey and his wife, Carla, have three children.[2] He lives in Lane, Oklahoma, in the southeastern part of the state.[3]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

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Humphrey first ran for the State House in 2016 as the Republican nominee.[1] District 19 includes Choctaw, Pushmataha, Atoka, and Bryan counties.[4] He was sworn in November 16, 2016.[5] He won re-election in 2018, 2020, and 2022. He's served in the 56th, 57th, 58th, and 59th Oklahoma Legislatures. Humphrey was endorsed by Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 United States presidential election.[6]

56th to 58th Legislature

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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, except in cases of rape, incest and the mother's health.[3][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] The legislation was supported by anti-abortion activists and opposed 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]

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.[9][10] H.B. 1441 was never brought up for a vote in the House.[11] Humphrey played a major role in SB2, a bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports.[12]

In 2021, Humphrey, in an effort to bolster tourism, proposed an official Bigfoot hunting season in Oklahoma, indicating that the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation would regulate permits and the state would offer a $3 million bounty if such a creature was captured alive and unharmed.[13][14]

"Hosts" interview

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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.[15] Fellow State Representative Emily Virgin called the comment "incredibly disrespectful,"[3] while The Oklahoman editorial board wrote that "dehumanizing language is the wrong approach on abortion."[16] Humphrey stood by his use of the term, saying he did not intend to offend anyone.[3]

59th Legislature

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In 2023, Humphrey introduced HB 2530 to allow county-specific elections to reduce from felonies to misdemeanors the criminal penalties related to cockfighting. He argued the bill as a criminal justice reform measure. The bill advanced out of the House Criminal Judiciary Committee on Feb. 22.[17] In 2022, Jon Echols amended a previous bill of Humphrey's about cockfighting that was later changed to include issues of loitering.[18] The Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, "a pro-cockfighting political action committee" donated $1,000 to Humphrey "and he is listed on one report as receiving support from the organization when it spent $178.12 on a checkbook from First United Bank in Durant."[19] In 2023 Dave Rader co-authored House Bill 1792 with Mike Osburn[20] that would lessen the penalties of and cockfighting dogfighting in Oklahoma, which sparked pushback from animal rights advocates.[21] Also in 2023, Lonnie Paxton authored Senate Bill 1006 which died in the Senate. It would have also lessened the penalties for cockfighting in the state, similar to House Bill 2530, authored by Justin Humphrey and Paxton, which also died in the same timeframe.[22]

Humphrey, along with Kevin McDugle, have been outspoken against DAs and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, especially in relation to the Richard Glossip case.[23] In December 2023, Humphrey accused DAs of possibly illegally collecting money during supervised probation and called for the attorney general to investigate. The Oklahoma District Attorneys Council's chair, Christopher Boring, rebuked Humphrey's claims.[24][25]

On January 17, Humphrey introduced House Bill 3084, which proposed on banning furries from schools. The proposed bill also went on to state that if a furry was determined to be at school, animal control would be called to force the student out.[26] Later that day, Humphrey retracted the provision of animal control coming to force a "furry" out of school, stating that he put the provision to make "a sarcastic point", instead wanting to send "furries" to mental health counseling.[27] Humphrey referred to the bill the next day as "crazy but important," stating, "we ought to neuter [furries] and vaccinate them and send them to the pound".[28]

The same day, Humphrey introduced House Bill 3133.[29] The bill proposed defining "any person who is of Hispanic descent living within the state of Oklahoma" and "a member of a criminal street gang" as a terrorist.[29][30][31] The bill proposed the forfeiture of all assets, including all property, vehicles, and money as punishment.[30] The bill did not mention any other racial or ethnic group.[31] The bill was widely condemned.[30][31] State Senator Michael Brooks-Jimenez, who founded the Oklahoma Latino legislative caucus, wrote that the law would "treat people differently based on their race or ethnicity".[30] Numerous social media users called Humphrey racist.[30][31] In response to criticism, Humphrey was unapologetic. He stated the bill was meant to focus on "those people who are here illegally and who are coming across the border and trying to do harm to America and to Oklahoma",[31] and said he "was not wrong. Again, these are Hispanic. Reality is they are Hispanic".[30] Humphrey, however, did state he would go back to the bill and replace the word "Hispanic" to "undocumented here illegally, or something like that".[30]

Cockfighting advocacy

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Humphrey's efforts to introduce cockfighting legislation[32] has led to the outcry from animal rights advocates[33] and the former attorney general.[34] Oklahoma has been called the "Cockfighting Capitol of the United States."[35] HB 2530, pushed by Justin Humphrey, died on April 13, 2023, for the second year in a row. Tulsa District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said he was glad cockfighting remained a felony.[36] In early 2024, cockfighting rings have been operating illegally in the state, with the "Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action and a native of Adair County" saying that "'enforcement of state cockfighting laws has been mixed even though the cruel practice is associated with a host of other crimes, such as illegal gambling, drug trafficking, gang activity, illegal weapon sales, and violence."'[37]

Opinions on LGBT and gender issues

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In an email responding to a constituent Humphrey said "I understand transgender people have mental illness." This view is not supported by the World Health Organization or the American Psychiatric Association. In an interview published after the incident on April 15, 2021, Humphrey doubled down by saying "I want to tell your audience there is no transgender. There is male and there is female. And transgender would be a mental health issue... So those people that say I'm bigoted, I will say you're insane and you're doing the people wrong by doing that." Freedom Oklahoma, an LGBT advocacy group, denounced Humphrey's comments calling them "a long-debunked myth."[38]

Humphrey was quoted as saying “You’re dang skippy I’ll take my kid to a chicken fighting before I’m gonna take them to see a drag queen."[36] In 2024, he voted against HB 3329 which still passed the house floor. It is intended to provide free menstrual products in school bathrooms.[39] He voted in favor of a bill that would require adults to show an ID before accessing porn sites.[40]

Electoral history

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2016

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Humphrey ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Oklahoma House District 19, General Election, November 8, 2016[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Justin Humphrey 7,029 52.5
Democratic James Campbell 4,750 35.5
Independent Morgan Hopson 1,620 12.1
Total votes 13,399 100.00

2018

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Humphrey ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Oklahoma House District 19, General Election, November 6, 2018[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Justin Humphrey 6,052 68.27
Democratic Lewis Collins 2,720 31.73
Total votes 10,231 100.00

2020

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Humphrey ran unopposed in the 2020 Oklahoma House of Representatives election.[42]

2022

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Humphrey ran unopposed in the 2022 Oklahoma House of Representatives election.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Justin "JJ" Humphrey Files for Oklahoma House District 19". FortySix News. April 20, 2016. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ^ "New Faces at the Capitol" (PDF). State Chamber of Oklahoma. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 16, 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Oklahoma Republican stands by calling pregnant women 'hosts'". Washington Post. Associated Press. February 13, 2017. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Oklahoma 19th District State House Results: Justin Humphrey Wins". The New York Times. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  5. ^ "New lawmakers take oath". The Oklahoman. November 16, 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  6. ^ "New Endorsements from Oklahoma State Legislators Strengthen Trump Leadership - ClayCoNews". www.clayconews.com. 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  7. ^ a b Denwalt, Dale (February 13, 2017). "Lawmaker calls pregnant women 'hosts'". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Bill would require man's permission for abortion". KFOR-TV. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  9. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (February 15, 2017). "Oklahoma abortion bill that would require father's consent passes out of House committee". Tulsa World. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  10. ^ Savage, Tres (February 14, 2017). "Abortion bills advance, Humphrey says 'ignorant and stupid won't get you very far with me'". NonDoc. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Legislative Research: OK HB1441, 2017, Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  12. ^ Murphy, Sean (15 April 2021). "GOP Oklahoma lawmaker criticized for transgender comments". Associated Press. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  13. ^ Johnson, Lauren M. (25 January 2021). "Oklahoma lawmaker proposes a bill that calls for creation of a Bigfoot hunting season". CNN. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Lawmaker invites world to participate in Oklahoma's $3 million Bigfoot bounty". koco.com. KOCO-TV. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  15. ^ Somashekhar, Sandhya; Wang, Amy B. (26 October 2021). "Lawmaker who called pregnant women a 'host' pushes bill requiring fathers to approve abortion". Washington Post. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Dehumanizing language is the wrong approach on abortion" (Editorial). The Oklahoman. February 16, 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  17. ^ Allen, Mike; Savage, Tres (February 26, 2023). "Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol". Nondoc. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Loitering becomes target of Oklahoma House bill". Journal Record. 2022.
  19. ^ Savage, Mike Allen and Tres; Savage, Tres (2023-02-26). "Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol". NonDoc. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  20. ^ "Bill Information". www.oklegislature.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  21. ^ Staff, Mckenzie Richmond, KTUL (2023-04-12). "An Oklahoma bill could dramatically reduce punishment for dog fighting". KTUL. Retrieved 2023-04-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ News, E. I. N.; PACELLE, WAYNE (2023-04-13). "Pro-Cockfighting Bills Fail in Oklahoma Legislature". EIN News. Retrieved 2023-04-14. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  23. ^ Two of five Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board members resign, retrieved 2023-08-17
  24. ^ "Oklahoma Rep. Humphrey says DAs may be illegally collecting money, asks AG to investigate". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  25. ^ "Oklahoma DA's respond to Rep. Humphrey's illegal fee collection claim". www.kten.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  26. ^ Wilson, Colleen (January 17, 2024). "Oklahoma lawmaker targets 'furries' in school with bill to involve animal control". KOKH-TV. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Ehrlich, Brenna (January 17, 2024). "Students Dressed as Furries Could be Collected by Animal Control if New Oklahoma Bill Passes". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  28. ^ Jones, Alyse (January 18, 2024). "How many newly filed bills will become law in Oklahoma?". KOCO-TV. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Wilson, Colleen (2024-01-17). "Oklahoma bill proposes labeling Hispanic gang members as terrorists". KOKH-TV. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g Salam, Erum (January 18, 2024). "Outrage as Oklahoma Republican's bill labels Hispanic people 'terrorists'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  31. ^ a b c d e Espadas Barros Leal, Isabela (2024-01-18). "Proposed Oklahoma bill would single out Hispanic gang members as 'terrorists'". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  32. ^ "Bill Information". www.oklegislature.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  33. ^ "KOCO". Oklahoma bill to lessen punishment for cockfighting stalls after House vote. 2023.
  34. ^ "Journal Record". Latest cockfighting bill draws ire of former AG. 2023.
  35. ^ "'Cockfighting capital' of US? Oklahoma bill to ease penalties draws attack from activists". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  36. ^ a b staff, Sunny Leigh, KTUL (2023-04-14). "Bill to reduce penalties for animal fighting shut down in Oklahoma Senate". KTUL. Retrieved 2023-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ Times, The Black Wall Street (2024-02-07). "Massive Cockfighting Derby Discovered in Oklahoma". Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  38. ^ Richards, Dillon (15 April 2021). "Oklahoma lawmaker accused of bigotry after saying transgender people 'have mental illness'". KOCO 5 News. ABC. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  39. ^ "House Votes". webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  40. ^ "House Votes". webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  41. ^ "OK Election Results November 06 2018". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  42. ^ Savage, Tres (2020). "More than 40 Oklahoma legislators re-elected by default". NonDoc.
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