ALTUS — Jennifer Kerns will deliver the keynote address at the Southwestern Oklahoma Republican Women’s 12th annual Beans and Baskets fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 21.
The host of the nationally syndicated “All-American Radio with Jennifer Kerns,” Kerns is a political strategist, commentator and contributor to The Hill and The Daily Caller.
While working as politics producer at Fox News and Fox Business, Kerns wrote about the first debate in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. She has been on-air spokeswoman and communications director for the California GOP as well as California’s Americans for Prosperity.
Kerns was California’s spokeswoman and deputy insurance commissioner and served two terms as former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s assistant secretary of state. She also served as the spokesperson and communications director for the California legislature.
A native Oklahoman who grew up in Putnam City, Kerns earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and is currently pursuing a postgrad degree in International Relations and Affairs from Harvard.
“We heard Ms. Kerns speak at a state Republican Women’s meeting,” said SWOKRW President Deb Davis. “Her energy and knowledge of conservative issues were on point. We’re grateful to have her come to Altus and speak.”
In addition to supporting Republican candidates at local, county and state levels, SWOKRW contributes to multiple local initiatives including Altus Fire Department’s annual Coats for Kids drive and the Altus Fraternity of Police’s annual Safety Town trick-or-treat event. The organization promotes Books for Babies, a program providing books to all Jackson County Memorial Hospital newborns and has donated funds for the John Henry Hill Memorial Fund. Hill was a Black Altus police officer who was murdered in the 1930s.
“We feel it’s important to recognize Officer Hill,” said Davis. “He still has a lot of relatives here and his legacy should not be forgotten.”
Other Beans and Baskets keynote speakers have included U.S. Senator James Lankford, former Congressman J.C. Watts, former House Speaker T.W. Shannon, as well as founder and executive director of the Foundation for Liberty and Greatness, Nick Adams.
Southwest Oklahoma Republican Women’s 12th annual Beans and Baskets will be held at Martha Road Baptist Church, 20388 E. County Road 158, Altus. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
Individual tickets are $20; tables of 8 are $160. Tickets are available at swokrw.org, by calling (580) 471-2573 or via email at swoklahomarw@gmail.com.