"The one making this an issue is Brittany Novotny," she said. "Any little thing that I say they try to pull it out and make it into something big. ... I just find it interesting that when a fact is given, that is considered to be a smear.

Novotny, who held a news conference Sunday to discuss Meadows' e-mail, said she's been talking about issues such as the economy, state budget cuts and the lack of good jobs and transit options while she's been campaigning.

"Where I got myself in a box was I said I would not make it an issue and my opponent took that to mean that I wouldn't say anything about it," Kern said. "I see nothing wrong with any candidate discussing what are facts about candidates."

AT A GLANCE

'Confused it' e-mail

Charlie Meadows, chairman of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee, sent an e-mail Sept. 7 to nearly 4,000 on the group's e-mail list. Below is an excerpt of the e-mail, followed by a statement from Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City.

Charlie Meadows' e-mail

A week ago Saturday, State Representative Sally Kern's opponent Brittany Novotny attended a fundraiser on her behalf in the home of Hollywood actor and voice over artist Ben Patrick Johnson. In a group picture I saw, presumably at Johnson's home in West Hollywood, Brittany was actually smiling right in the middle of what I guess was about 50 likeminded people.

Brittany used to be a "he", had a sex change operation to make him into a "her" but turned out to become a confused "it."

Some have suggested that having a sex change operation is a person's greatest act of rebellion and hatred toward God for His making them what they were.

It is truly sad to see people reject God's love for them by being willing to mutilate themselves. If they would submit their life to God, they could find the true joy in life that will forever elude them while on their path of rebellion.

The hatred and rage toward Sally continues unabated in the homosexual community because Sally dared to declare their political agenda for what it truly is, more dangerous to the future of America than the threat of terrorism.

Brittany has suggested Sally doesn't represent the values of her constituents.

Sally, on the other hand, from the time she first ran for office, told her constituents that she was a Christian and would stand for traditional morality and family values.

Aside from the moral issues, Sally is one of the most conservative and well informed lawmakers in the state on a broad range of issues.

In November, we will see which set of values the voters in HD 84 care most about.

Remember, all elections are first about the quality and character of the voters.

SALLY KERN'S RESPONSE

While I appreciate the friendship of Charlie Meadows and the support OCPAC has given me, I very much regret the derogatory remark Charlie made about my opponent. I have never referred to my opponent in such a manner and never will. I have repeatedly asked my supporters not to use any degrading or insulting comments toward my opponent. While Charlie has the right to his freedom of speech that in no way means he should use that right in a degrading way.

Anyone who throws their hat into the ring to run for office, should have our respect because of the time, effort and commitment it takes. Running for office is not easy. As one who knows from personal experience, it automatically puts you under a microscope. This race needs to be about policy issues.

As I have said many times, there are enough differences between my opponent and me on issues that there is no need to get personal. The fact that my opponent was given a fundraiser in California — something that should concern Oklahoma voters in House District 84 — was lost in the insulting comment. Yes, my opponent is the first transgender to run for office in Oklahoma, something my opponent freely admits, and many do not understand why someone would have a sex change. Still, this does not give any of us the right to make degrading remarks. I respectfully ask my supporters to refrain from making any comments that can be construed to be insulting.