Tom Gann (born January 11, 1959) is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 8th district since 2016.[1][2] 8th House District which covers Mayes, Rogers, and Wagoner Counties. He was re-elected by default in 2020.[3]

Tom Gann
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 8th district
Assumed office
November 17, 2016
Preceded byBen Sherrer
Personal details
Born (1959-01-11) January 11, 1959 (age 65)
Wagoner, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

Personal life and political views

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Tom Gann was born in "Wagoner and grew up in Tahlequah where he later graduated from Northeastern State University with degrees in marketing and accounting." He served on Ft. Gibson School Board. He calls himself a "limited government conservative" who is against vaccine mandates.[4] Gann "is retired from Tulsa International Airport where he was the Airport Auditor for 10 years." He and his wife have 3 children and 8 grandchildren."[5] He attends church in Inola and supports crisis pregnancy centers.[6]

CAIR Oklahoma states Gann is against abortion.[7]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

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Electoral history

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2018 Oklahoma House of Representatives election: District 8 general[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Gann 6,863 57.2
Democratic Darrell Moore 5,137 42.8
Total votes 12,000 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

Legislation

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In 2024 Gann, along with Warren Hamilton, introduced bill HB 3115 titled "Public libraries; Opposition to Marxism and Defense of Oklahoma Children Act of 2024; associations; Department of Libraries Board; required credentials; effective date." The bill, if passed, would keep tax-funded libraries from being affiliated with the largest library associations in the state and country, the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) and the American Library Association (ALA), accusing them of spreading Marxism.[9] The ALA is the "oldest, largest and most influential library association in the world" and it advocates for librarians and libraries in legislation and other areas.[10] It is an accrediting body for universities, such as the University of Oklahoma, who award Masters of Library and Information Studies, or the MLIS, programs.[11] The OLA "works to strengthen the quality of libraries, library services and librarianship in Oklahoma" and its members "work in public, school, academic and special libraries of all sizes."[12]

Voting history

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In 2024, he voted against HB 3329 which still passed the house floor. It is intended to provide free menstrual products in school bathrooms.[13] He voted in favor of a bill that would require adults to show and ID before accessing porn sites.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Representative Tom Gann". Okhouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  2. ^ "Gann Sworn in to Serve Second Term for House District 8". Claremoreprogress.com. 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  3. ^ Savage, Tres (2020). "More than 40 Oklahoma legislators re-elected by default". NonDoc.
  4. ^ "Oklahoma House of Representatives". Oklahoma House of Representatives. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  5. ^ "Tom Gann for Oklahoma State Representative House District 8". www.gannforhouse.com. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  6. ^ "Representative Tom Gann - Oklahoma House of Representatives". former.okhouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  7. ^ Habrock, Lani. "Tom Gann". CAIR Oklahoma. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  8. ^ "Tom Gann". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  9. ^ "Bill Information". oklegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  10. ^ HCHO (2015-05-11). "American Library Association Fact Sheet". News and Press Center. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  11. ^ ALA (2006-07-24). "Directory of ALA-Accredited and Candidate Programs in Library and Information Studies". Education & Careers. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  12. ^ "About OLA - Oklahoma Library Association". www.oklibs.org. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  13. ^ "House Votes". webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  14. ^ "House Votes". webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us. Retrieved 2024-03-12.