Introduction
John R. Bennett is a U.S. politician from the state of Oklahoma serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for District 2, in the eastern part of the state.
Early life and career
John R. Bennett is a former U.S. Marine and the current owner of a storm shelter business.
Political career
Bennett was first elected to the Oklahoma Legislature in 2010.
He is the author of successful legislation to require school districts to treat student expressions of faith in the same manner as any other permissible subjects.
Controversy
At an event with constituents in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, on September 15, 2014, Bennett referred to Islam as "a cancer in our nation that needs to be cut out" and claimed that there is "[no] difference between moderate and radical Islam." Bennett affirmed his stance, stating that he had read the Qur'an and "Ninety percent of it is violence. And only 10 percent of it is conciliatory."
In November 2016, Bennett posted on his Facebook page a photograph of Hillary Clinton with a caption suggesting that she should be executed by firing squad. After the post caused controversy, Bennett said that it was "barracks talk" and that he was not advocating for Clinton's execution, but said that he viewed Clinton was a traitor who should be imprisoned.