Tom Woods (Oklahoma politician): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|American politician}}

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'''Tom Woods''' is an American high-school graduate and dairy farmer who has served asbeen the [[Oklahoma Senate]] member from the 4th district since November 16, 2022. A self-proclaimed Christian, he is best known for referring to LGBT Oklahomans as “filth” when asked about the death of a 16-year-old LGBT student in February 2024.

==Career==

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Woods ran for the open seat in Oklahoma's 4th Senate district in [[2022 Oklahoma Senate election|2022]].<ref name="Nondoc1" /> During the primary campaign, Woods questioned if candidate Hoguen Apperson was fit for office after revealing Apperson had sought treatment for depression. Woods discussion of Apperson's mental health while campaigning was criticized by Oklahoma Representative [[Josh West (politician)|Josh West]].<ref name="NonDoc2">{{cite news |last1=Brinkman |first1=Bennett |title=Tom Woods v. Keith Barenberg: SD 4 runoff gets 'dirty' over mental health remarks |url=https://nondoc.com/2022/07/29/sd-4-tom-woods-keith-barenberg/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=NonDoc |date=29 July 2022}}</ref> He advanced to a runoff primary with rancher Keith Barenberg, whom he defeated in the August election.<ref name="Nondoc3">{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Tres |title=Legislative runoffs: Jech holds on, four others elected |url=https://nondoc.com/2022/08/24/oklahoma-legislative-runoffs-darcy-jech-survives/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=NonDoc |date=24 August 2022}}</ref> He was sworn into office on November 16, 2022.<ref name="Sworn in 2022">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Alyse |title=Twenty-three returning, newly elected senators take Oath of Office in Oklahoma |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-senators-sworn-oath-office/41984849 |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=[[KOCO]] |date=16 November 2022}}</ref> Woods enlisted with the [[Oklahoma Air National Guard]] in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |title=Political notebook: Gov. Stitt not alone at Paris Air Show |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/government-politics/political-notebook-gov-stitt-not-alone-at-paris-air-show/article_24ee66c6-11cd-11ee-a199-93ce59f003b8.html |access-date=25 June 2023 |work=[[Tulsa World]] |date=June 25, 2023}}</ref>

During a Legislative Update on FebFebruary 23rd23, 2024, Woods was part of a panel. The panel was asked by an audience member, "Why does the Legislature have such an obsession with the LGBTQ citizens of Oklahoma and what people do in their personal lives and how they raise their children?" Woods replied, "We are a Republican state – supermajority – in the House and Senate. I represent a constituency that doesn't want that filth in Oklahoma."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guthrie |first1=Lee |title=Senator calls LGBTQ+ Oklahomans 'filth,' says constituents don't want them |url=https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/senator-calls-lgbtq-oklahomans-filth-says-constituents-dont-want-them/article_c8979398-d260-11ee-9823-973bf20c3730.html |access-date=23 February 2024 |work=Tahlequah Daily Press |date=February 23, 2024}}</ref> Woods also said "we are a religious state" and "we're a Christian state."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Griffin |title='Reprehensible And Inappropriate': State Senator Calls LGBTQ People 'Filth' During Forum |url=https://www.news9.com/story/65dd0740b038bf075e105212/reprehensible-and-inappropriate:-state-senator-calls-lgbtq-people-filth-during-forum |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=www.news9.com |language=en}}</ref> After criticism for appearing to describe the LGBTQ community as "filth" and that Christianity excludes LGBTQ people, Woods did not apologize for the comment and stood by his statement, saying that he is against any effort to "normalize any behavior that shouldn't be tolerated" including transgender children and youth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=lguthrie@tahlequahdailypress.com |first=Lee Guthrie {{!}} |date=2024-02-26 |title=Woods makes statement about 'filth' remark controversy |url=https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/woods-makes-statement-about-filth-remark-controversy/article_c939154e-97ba-53db-88aa-29b3b2ba25fe.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Muskogee Phoenix |language=en}}</ref> Senate Majority leader [[Greg Treat]] called Wood's comments a "lapse of judgement" and said they did not reflect the Senate Republican Caucus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=A. O. L. |date=2024-03-05 |title=GOP condemned Sen. Woods' 'filth' remarks, but look at their voting records. It's lip service. {{!}} Opinion |url=https://www.aol.com/gop-condemned-sen-woods-filth-133043018.html |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==

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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

[[Category:21st-century Oklahoma politicians]]

[[Category:Transphobia in the United States]]

[[Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in the United States]]