Peggy Mast Explained

Peggy Mast
Image Name:Peggy Mast.jpg
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Caption:Mast in 2016
State House:Kansas
District:76th
Term Start:January 13, 1997
Term End:January 9, 2017
Predecessor:Raymond Arthur Luthi
Successor:Eric Smith
Birth Date:20 August 1948
Birth Place:Norton, Kansas, U.S.
Party:Republican

Peggy L. Mast (born August 20, 1948) is an American Republican politician who served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives representing the 76th district. She served from 1997 to 2017, and finished her career as the Speaker of the House pro tempore.[1] [2]

Career

Mast was born in Norton, Kansas. She has attended Butler County Community College, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Flint Hills Vocational-Technical, and was previously a school bus driver, worked for Emporia Zoo, Arnold Staffing Services, and Design Rite Contracting.[2]

She has been a member of a number of organizations, including American Business Women's Association, Prairie Hens Unit, Kansas Cattlewoman's Association, Republican Women's Organization, and Alliance to Recognize and End Abuse.[2]

While she was serving in the Kansas House of Representatives, she was a lead sponsor of an anti-Sharia bill.[3] [4] She also led a committee that considered a bill aimed at blocking Muslim refugees from the state due to security concerns.[5]

Committee membership

Representative Mast served on the following legislative committees:[1]

Activism

Mast has served as director of outreach of former FBI agent John Guandolo's organization Understanding the Threat, designated as an anti-Muslim "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center,[6] and described as a part of the counter-jihad movement.[7] She has held presentations for the group where she has talked about perceived threats to the country from groups such as Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has been met by protesters.[8]

On October 20, 2016, she was widely criticized by peers and national news, by seemingly praising a quote from Adolf Hitler while comparing him to Planned Parenthood. She said, "Great quote from Hitler in the video. Please listen to it closely. His words are profound! Let’s start using discernment."[9] She later clarified that her intent was to criticize Planned Parenthood for allegedly using the same tactics as Hitler.[10]

Personal life

Mast is married, and has four children, and three stepchildren.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Representative Peggy Mast - Speaker Pro Tem . Kansas State Legislature. July 6, 2024.
  2. Web site: Peggy Mast's Biography. August 15, 2021. Vote Smart.
  3. News: Mast makes last pitch for sharia law bill. Andy. Marso. Topeka Capital-Journal. May 10, 2012.
  4. News: Kansas lawmakers pass effective ban on Islamic law. Kevin. Murphy. Reuters. May 13, 2012.
  5. News: Kansas House Bill Would Allow State to Bar Refugees. Stephen. Koranda. Kansas Public Radio. February 19, 2016.
  6. Web site: Understanding the Threat. Southern Poverty Law Center. September 20, 2023.
  7. Book: Pertwee, Ed. 'Green Crescent, Crimson Cross': The Transatlantic 'Counterjihad' and the New Political Theology. 125, 268. October 2017. London School of Economics.
  8. News: 'People want to be riled up': Hays event highlights cultural divides. James. Bell. Hays Post. June 28, 2021.
  9. News: Lowry. Bryan. October 22, 2016. Kansas House leader calls Hitler's words 'profound' in Facebook post. The Wichita Eagle.
  10. Web site: October 21, 2016. Kansas Republican cites Adolf Hitler's "great quote" in Planned Parenthood critique. Brendan. Gauthier. Salon.