| Peggy Mast | |
| Image Name: | Peggy Mast.jpg |
| Image Upright: | yes |
| 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]
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]
Representative Mast served on the following legislative committees:[1]
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]
Mast is married, and has four children, and three stepchildren.[2]