Emily Virgin

Emily Virgin (born October 1, 1986) is an American politician who was the Minority Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2018 to 2022. She previously served as House Democratic Caucus Chair. She was first elected in 2010 at the age of 24 and represents the 44th district, which includes Norman, Oklahoma. Virgin retired from the Oklahoma House at end of 2022 due to term limits.

Emily Virgin
Minority Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office
November 15, 2018 – November 16, 2022
Preceded bySteve Kouplen
Succeeded byCyndi Munson
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 44th district
In office
November 17, 2010 – November 16, 2022
Preceded byBill Nations
Succeeded byJared Deck
Personal details
Born (1986-10-01) October 1, 1986
Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Oklahoma (BA, JD)

Education

Virgin completed an undergraduate degree in criminology and political science at the University of Oklahoma in 2009. Virgin was elected to the House while attending law school at the University of Oklahoma, from which she earned her J.D. in 2013.[1]

Political career

In 2010, she won election to the House[2] against Mike Hunt, a self-employed lawn care professional.[3] At the time she was the youngest representative in the Democratic caucus, at 24 years old,[2] although two younger Republicans were elected that same year.[4] She campaigned on improving education in Oklahoma and fighting education cuts.[2][3] She has stated that she had been interested in public service from a young age. She did not expect to start a political career so early, but she decided to run when her home seat became open due to term limits on the incumbent.[5]

In 2015, the Oklahoma Legislature considered a religious freedom bill that would allow businesses to refuse services to individuals based on the business owner's religious beliefs, mainly in reference to bakers and photographers opposed to same-sex marriage. Virgin gained notice for proposing an amendment that would require the businesses to publicly post a notice specifying what classes of patrons they would refuse services to, in an attempt to derail the bill.[6][7] The bill stalled the following week.[8]

In May 2017, Virgin was elected House Democratic Caucus Chair; her term was to start the following year.[9] As of 2017, Virgin is on the Appropriations and Budget Committee, Higher Education and Career Tech Committee, Judiciary – Civil and Environmental Committee, and Public Safety Committee.[10]

On November 15, 2018, Virgin was named the Minority Leader for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, succeeding Steve Kouplen.

References
  1. "Emily Virgin's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  2. Ellisor, Laney (January 31, 2011). "Education tops list for Rep. Emily Virgin". The Oklahoma Daily. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  3. Manwarren, LeighAnne (October 28, 2010). "Emily Virgin and Mike Hunt face off for a chance to represent Norman in the state House". Oklahoma Gazette. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  4. Surette, Rusty (November 3, 2010). "Oklahomans Elect 3 Lawmakers Under 25-Years-Old". KWTV. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  5. Gibson, Sophia (March 20, 2014). "A Chat With Okla. Rep. Emily Virgin". Odyssey. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  6. Wong, Curtis M. (March 12, 2015). "Oklahoma Rep. Emily Virgin Suggests Businesses Post Notice Before Discriminating Against Patrons". Huffington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  7. Bufkin, Sarah (March 18, 2015). "Oklahoma Rep. Emily Virgin's Amendment To Anti-Gay Bill Is A Clever Way To Stop The Legislation From Passing". Bustle. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  8. Hudson, David (March 13, 2015). "'Religious freedom' bill ditched after amendment is added to prevent gay couples being humiliated". Gay Star News. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  9. "Rep. Emily Virgin named Caucus Chair-Elect". Norman Transcript. May 10, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  10. "Representative Emily Virgin, District 44". Oklahoma State Legislature. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
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