Tom Riner

Tom Riner
Riner (right) with children and wife Claudia Riner in 1980
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office January 1, 1982 – January 1, 2017
Preceded by	Claudia Riner
Succeeded by	Attica Scott
Constituency	36th district (1982–1985) 41st district (1985–2017)
Personal details
Born	(1946-10-07) October 7, 1946 (age 78) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Claudia
Residence(s)	Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Education	Centre College (BA)

Tom Riner (born October 7, 1946) is an American politician and pastor who served as a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the 41st District from 1982 until 2017. He was defeated by Attica Scott in the 2016 Democratic primary for the seat.^[1] The New York Times once wrote regarding Tom's stance of political discourse, "He looks for God everywhere, and in places he does not find him, he tries to put him there."^[2]

Kentucky House of Representatives

Riner connected Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, then under prosecution for defying a federal court order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, with Evangelical legal team Liberty Counsel.^[3]

An anti-revenge porn bill sponsored by Riner and fellow Democrat Joni Jenkins passed the Kentucky House unanimously.^[4]

Disputed statute

In 2006, Riner sponsored a Kentucky law which could subject a staff member of Kentucky Homeland Security to a Class A Misdemeanor (carrying a 12-month prison sentence) if they fail to affirm the existence of an almighty God.^[5] The Kentucky Supreme Court has refused to review the constitutionality of the law,^[6] though a dissenting opinion was recorded by Judge Ann O'Malley, stating that while the organization "American Atheists lacked standing based on its claim for damages," statute KRS 39A.285 nonetheless "places an affirmative duty to rely on Almighty God for the protection of the Commonwealth,"^[7] which would put it in contention with the Lemon Test.

The bill became law in 2008.^[8] American Atheists have asked the US Supreme court to review the constitutionality of the law.^[9]

Personal life

Tom Riner and his wife, former State Representative Claudia Riner, live in Louisville, Kentucky.^[10]

References

1. Loftus, Tom (May 17, 2016). "Longtime state Reps. Riner, Crimm defeated". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
2. Urbina, Ian (2009). "Lawmaker in Kentucky Mixes Piety and Politics". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
3. Ellis, Ronnie (September 10, 2015). "Riner helped Davis connect with Liberty Counsel". The Daily Independent. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
4. Mutasa, Tammy (February 15, 2016). "'Revenge porn' bill passes unanimously in Kentucky House". WLWT. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
5. Laura Gottesdiener: A Year in Jail for Not Believing in God? How Kentucky Is Persecuting Atheists. In: Alternet. November 21, 2012
6. With friends like Caesar, the church doesn't need enemies
7. SHAKE, Senior Judge, Concurs in Part and Dissents in Part and Files Separate Opinion
8. Atheists can be jailed in Kentucky for not acknowledging God
9. American Atheists ask U.S. Supreme Court to Reverse Kentucky Law Requiring Belief in "Almighty God."
10. "Praying for Kentucky, 1 courthouse at a time". The Courier-Journal. July 19, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

Kentucky House of Representatives
Preceded by Claudia Riner	Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 36th district 1982–1985	Succeeded by Lonnie Napier
Preceded by Mae Street Kidd	Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 41st district 1985–2017	Succeeded by Attica Scott