Preceded by Cliff Branan Spouse(s) Pam Occupation Doctor Education University of Oklahoma | Nationality American Alma mater University of Oklahoma Religion Roman Catholic Political party Republican Party | |
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Ervin Yen is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Yen is a state senator representing district 40, comprising parts of Oklahoma City, Warr Acres, Nichols Hills, Belle Isle, Brookhaven, and The Village.
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Early life, education and career
Yen was born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1954. His parents moved to the United States soon afterward, due to fears of a Communist takeover of the island, settling in the Oklahoma City area in 1959. Yen graduated from Putnam City High School in Warr Acres. Yen attended the University of Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, before working as an anesthesiologist.
Political career
Yen ran for the district 40 state senate seat against Brian Winslow, Joe Howell, Steve Kern, David B. Hooten, and Michael Taylor in a Republican primary in 2014. He defeated pastor Steve Kern in a runoff. He defeated Democrat John Handy Edwards in the general election. Yen is the first Physician in the Oklahoma Senate in 40 years. He is also the first Asian American in the legislature in Oklahoma history. .
Yen is a supporter of mandatory vaccination and introduced bills to that effect in the 2016 and 2017 legislative sessions.