FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2011

Chairman of Oklahoma Democratic Party Joins Others in Asking for Rep. Kern to Step Down

Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party Todd Goodman is joining the NAACP and others in asking Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) to step down as a state legislator. In light of her recent comments on the house floor, Goodman said this mentality does not belong in Oklahoma’s State Legislature.

“After hearing Rep. Kern’s comments last night, I was appalled, like most Oklahomans,” Goodman said. “On behalf of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, I ask Sally Kern to step down as a legislator. Yes, I believe her comments do not represent most of her constituents. And yes, I believe her comments are bad for business in Oklahoma. But mostly, her comments are outright bigoted and sexist, and someone with that mentality does not belong in our representative body. Her half-hearted apology does not suffice. These comments are indicative of her beliefs. I also ask Republican leadership to denounce her statements and more specifically Gov. Mary Fallin to stand up against these comments as she did against the school board member who made a sexist joke. This is not a joke. This is an embarrassment on a national level, and if Oklahoma is going to continue to grow and progress, we cannot have legislators such as her representing us.”

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