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Jason Spencer

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Jason Spencer
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 180th district
In office
January 10, 2011 – July 31, 2018
Preceded byCecily Hill
Succeeded bySteven Sainz
Personal details
Born
Jason Chauncey Spencer

(1974-11-14) November 14, 1974 (age 49)
Offutt AFB, Nebraska, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Woodbine, Georgia, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Georgia (BS)
South University (BS)
University of Nebraska (MPAS)
Signature

Jason Chauncey Spencer (born November 14, 1974) is an American physician assistant and Republican politician.

Spencer was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2010, representing district 180, and serving into July 2018.[1][2] He was defeated by Steven Sainz in the May 2018 Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 180.[3] He strongly opposed the Affordable Care Act and helped prevent Medicaid expansion in Georgia.[4]

Spencer faced widespread criticism in July 2018 for his behavior during an episode of the satirical television show Who Is America? in which British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised as an Israeli counter-terrorist expert, led Spencer to drop his pants and shout multiple racial slurs.[1] Criticized by Republican leaders, Spencer announced later that month that he would resign from the Georgia House of Representatives, and was replaced by Steven Sainz.[5]

The family moved in 1978 to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, and a year later to Alapaha, Georgia. Spencer graduated from Berrien High School in 1993.[6] He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before transferring to Alabama State University, a historically black college (HBCU), on a full athletic scholarship for tennis. He transferred again to the University of Georgia, from which he graduated in 1997 with a degree in exercise & sport science.[6] Spencer studied and trained as a physician assistant, receiving a second bachelor's degree from South University in Savannah and a master's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2005.[6]

Political career

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Electoral history

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An active member of the Tea Party movement in coastal Georgia, Spencer was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2010 after defeating incumbent Cecily Hill in a primary runoff.[7] His district centers on Woodbine in southeastern Georgia.[1] He was reelected in 2012, 2014, and 2016.[8]

Legislative mentions

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Spencer served on the following committees in the Georgia State House: Science and Technology; Games, Fish and Parks; Juvenile Justice; Human Aging and Relations, and served as the Secretary to the House Special Rules Committee.[9] He voted for legislation that relaxed “live-aboard” boating restrictions and legalized home brew beer competitions in Georgia.[10][11]

Spencer served as an advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse, introducing and gaining passage in 2015 of a landmark civil statute of limitations (SOL) reform legislation, known as the Georgia Hidden Predator Act (HB 17, 2015). This legislation removed or extended the civil SOL so survivors can gain justice and expose the identities of hidden child abusers in the state of Georgia. The Hidden Predator Act was instrumental in leading to the unraveling of one of the largest sex scandals in U.S. sports history: the exposure of Dr. Larry Nassar, who was later convicted of serial child molestation committed while serving the USA Gymnastics organization.[12] Rep. Spencer received Voice Today's "Voice of Gratitude Award" for his efforts authoring the legislation.[13]

In 2018, Spencer attempted to amend this 2015 law to strengthen it and provide more time for survivors to file cases, but the bill was weakened by lobbying efforts from the Atlanta Archdiocese of the Catholic Church,[14] the Boy Scouts of America, and other powerful interest groups. It narrowly failed to pass on the last day of the 2018 legislative session.[15][16][17]

In 2017, Spencer introduced and passed legislation, known as the Georgia Space Flight Act (House Bill 1, 2017), to attract the commercial space industry to Georgia as part of an ongoing effort to establish the state's first commercial spaceport.[18][19]

Issues during tenure

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Spencer was one of the strongest opponents in the Georgia House to President Barack Obama's administration's Affordable Care Act (ACA).[20] He authored legislation that effectively blocked Medicaid expansion in Georgia. Spencer also blocked the establishment of the state's insurance marketplace, and forced the University of Georgia to terminate its "Obamacare" Navigator program under the Act.[4][21][22] In 2014, Spencer introduced legislation to block the state from "using of its resources to implement any portions of the health care law."[23] When this legislation was tabled by Senate Majority Whip Cecil Station (R-Macon) and other opponents in committee, Spencer issued a press release blaming fellow Republicans for an "eleventh hour betrayal" and likening them to "Benedict Arnolds, the King George the Third and his myrmidons."[24][25]

In 2016, after facing bipartisan opposition, Spencer withdrew a bill that was perceived to have banned Muslim women from wearing religious garments such as burqas or niqābs in driver's license photographs or while driving cars.[26] The legislation aimed to amend an existing 1951 Georgia law intended to prohibit members of the Ku Klux Klan from wearing masks and hoods; it had been constitutionally upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court in State v Miller, 1990 to unmask members of the group.[27][28] Many, including the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) and American Civil Liberties Union, accused Spencer of Islamophobia.[29][30]

Spencer accused a constituent of treason and supporting terrorism for donating $10 to CAIR Georgia in response to his bill.[31] Spencer supported his charge of potential treason in a letter written to his constituent stating that the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) was designated as a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates due to the organization's alleged ties to Hamas, an organization which has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State.[32] In addition, Spencer stated that CAIR was named by the U.S. Justice Department as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism funding trials in U.S. history, known as United States v Holy Land Foundation, et. al.,[33][34][35] claims which CAIR has rejected.[36] As a result of the backlash of submitting this legislation, Spencer said he had received death threats.[37]

In 2017, Spencer attracted controversy in the debate over the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials. In a Facebook post, he issued a warning to LaDawn Jones, an African American attorney, former Georgia House colleague and current State Director for Bernie Sanders' Presidential Campaign, that she might "go missing in the Okefenokee," a swamp in southern Georgia (and partly in Spencer's district), if she followed through on her intentions to bring advocates to southern Georgia to remove Confederate monuments.[38][39][40][41]

Primary defeat

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In May 2018, Spencer was defeated in the Republican primary by a primary challenger, 24-year-old political newcomer Steven Sainz. A local party leader attributed Spencer's loss in part to his "antics" in office.[8] Spencer said "if he rubbed anyone the wrong way," he was doing so by standing up to powerful special interest representing the plight of "little guy." “My tactics won against them and that is one of the reasons why I stayed in office for eight years, because I effectively beat them at their own game,” said Spencer to the Brunswick News.[42] In a radio interview with WGIG 1440 AM, Rep. Jason Spencer said that he had often been a target of individuals on the ideological left and establishment politicians for introducing legislation that challenged powerful special interests. He believed such opponents blocked a bill in 2018 to strengthen a law extending civil justice to survivors of child sexual abuse.[43][44]

Who Is America? controversy

[edit]

Spencer was featured in an episode of the satirical television show Who Is America? that aired on July 22, 2018. The episode showed British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised as an Israeli counter-terrorism expert, leading Spencer to drop his pants, imitate a Chinese tourist using racial stereotypes that mixed various East Asian stereotypes, use a selfie stick to take an upskirt picture under a woman's burqa, and repeatedly yell "nigger".[37]

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston urged Spencer to resign, saying that he had disgraced himself. Governor Nathan Deal tweeted that Spencer's actions were "appalling and offensive".[37] Spencer apologized for what he described as "this ridiculously ugly episode" but initially refused to step down, saying that the show's producers had exploited him "for profit and notoriety".[45][46] He said that Baron Cohen and the television crew had falsely promised that he would be able to review and approve the final footage before release.[37] Spencer later announced his resignation on July 24,[47] effective as of July 31.[48]

Election results

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2010 Republican primary, State Representative, District 180[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cecily Hill 2,010 44.3%
Republican Jason Spencer 1,615 35.6%
Republican Rindy Howell 911 20.1%
2010 Republican primary runoff, State Representative, District 180[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer 2,193 54.9%
Republican Cecily Hill 1,805 45.1%
2010 general election, State Representative, District 180[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer 7,701 69.5%
Democratic Adell James 3,384 30.5%
2012 Republican primary, State Representative, District 180[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer 4,157 51.68%
Republican Adam Jacobson 3,886 48.32%
2012 general election, State Representative, District 180[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer (unopposed) 14,671 100%
2014 Republican primary, State Representative, District 180[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer 2,759 58.95%
Republican Nancy H. Stasinis 1,921 41.05%
2014 general election, State Representative, District 180[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer (unopposed) 8,534 100%
2016 Republican primary, State Representative, District 180[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer (unopposed) 3,086 100%
2016 general election, State Representative, District 180[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Spencer (unopposed) 16,168 100%
May 22, 2018 Republican primary, State Representative, District 180[58][59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steven Sainz 2,462 57.81%
Republican Jason Spencer 1,797 42.19%

References

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  1. ^ a b c Sopan Deb (July 23, 2018). "Georgia Leaders Condemn Jason Spencer, Lawmaker Who Used Slurs on Sacha Baron Cohen Show". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  2. ^ "Representative Jason Spencer". house.ga.gov. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Steven Sainz". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "The Georgia Healthcare Freedom Act. HB 707/943". Georgia State University Law Review. Fall 2014. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
  5. ^ France, Lisa Respers. "Georgia lawmaker who came under fire after yelling 'n-word' on 'Who Is America?' says he'll quit". CNN. Cable News Network. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Rep. Jason Spencer R-180 Biography" (PDF). house.ga.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Jackson, Gordon (August 10, 2010). "Hill falls short in bid for 4th term". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Jackson, Gordon (May 24, 2018). "Spencer loses primary election after four terms". The Brunswick News. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. ^ "Rep. Jason Spencer committee assignments". Archived from the original on April 10, 2019.
  10. ^ "Sunday, February 19, 2012 – 11:00pm Bill Would Legalize Living On Boats. Georgia Public Broadcasting". February 20, 2012. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
  11. ^ "Flagpole, May 22, 2013. By Blake Aued. Georgia Lawmakers Give Homebrewers a Break. Are Brewpubs Next?". Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
  12. ^ Elassar, Alaa (January 26, 2018). "How a Georgia case, law paved way for USA Gymnastics doctor's downfall". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
  13. ^ "Voice of Gratitude Award". Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
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  21. ^ Andy Miller, "Legislator: Waiver plan still requires legislative OK" Archived July 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Georgia Health News (May 27, 2015).
  22. ^ Anderson, Virginia (September 7, 2014). "UGA forced to shutter health insurance navigator program". AJC. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
  23. ^ Misty Williams, Medicaid expansion: House panel votes to shift power to Legislature Archived July 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (February 19, 2014).
  24. ^ On the Record Archived July 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Atlanta Journal Constitution (March 22, 2014).
  25. ^ "UPDATED: Anti-Obamacare Legislation Killed. Lawmaker Blasts Fellow Republicans". The Brookhaven Post | Brookhaven GA News. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
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  27. ^ "State v. Miller". Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  28. ^ Gould Sheinin, Aaron (November 16, 2016). "Bill would place restrictions on Muslim burqas, veils in Georgia". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  29. ^ Bever, Lindsey (November 18, 2016). "After outcry, Georgia lawmaker abandons bill that would have banned Muslims from wearing veils". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  30. ^ "After Muslim backlash, Georgia lawmaker drops change to no-mask law". CBS News. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  31. ^ Mitchell, Edward Ahmed (January 5, 2017). "Text: CAIR Georgia's Letter To Rep. Jason Spencer After Anti-Muslim Remarks". cairgeorgia.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  32. ^ "Letter Dec 30, 2016 written by Rep. Jason Spencer to constituent re CAIR/HAMAS. Letter HouseBill3 CAIR Dec302016 redacted.pdf". Google Docs. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  33. ^ Chiaramonte, Perry (November 17, 2014). "US group CAIR named terrorist organization by United Arab Emirates". Fox News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  34. ^ "Foreign Terrorist Organizations". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  35. ^ "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee v. HOLY LAND FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT, ET AL, Defendants NORTH AMERICAN ISLAMIC TRUST, Movant-Appellant No. 09-10875 Decided: October 20, 2010". Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
  36. ^ "Dispelling Rumors About CAIR – CAIR". cair.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013.
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  38. ^ Eberhardt, Robin (August 30, 2017). "Ga. lawmaker: Dem criticizing Confederate monuments could 'go missing'". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
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  40. ^ "About LaDawn Jones". Archived from the original on August 24, 2018.
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  43. ^ "Listen to the Scott Ryfun Episode – Scott Ryfun 5-30-18 Hour 3 on iHeartRadio | iHeartRadio. Full interview with Rep. Jason Spencer regarding election loss. May 30, 2018". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  44. ^ "Torpy at Large: If lobbyists win, Hidden Predator Act will stay hidden". myajc. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
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  46. ^ Lisa Respers France (July 25, 2018). "Georgia lawmaker who came under fire after yelling 'n-word' on 'Who Is America?' says he'll quit". CNN. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
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