Gordon Klingenschmitt | |
---|---|
Born | 1968 (age 55–56) |
Other names | "Doctor Chaps" |
Education |
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Occupations |
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Political party | Republican |
Criminal charges | UCMJ Article 92 |
Criminal penalty | Formal reprimand |
Spouse |
Mary Elaine Keifert
(m. 1991) |
Military career | |
Branches | |
Years | 1991–2007 (15.8 years) |
Rank | Lieutenant (O-3) |
Unit | |
Signature | |
Ecclesiastical career | |
Religion | Christianity |
Church |
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Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 15th district | |
In office 2015–2017 | |
Preceded by | Mark Waller |
Succeeded by | Dave Williams |
Gordon James Klingenschmitt (born 1968) is an American religious figure, former US Navy chaplain, and former politician.
A 1991 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Klingenschmitt spent eleven years as an officer and missileer before transferring to the US Navy to become a chaplain. There, his strong evangelical drive repeatedly conflicted with the military's religious pluralism, leading to reprimands, a court-martial, and eventual dismissal from the military after a 15.8-year career.
Klingenschmitt's religious career is exemplified in his two organizations: the for-profit Pray in Jesus Name Project and the non-profit Pray in Jesus Name Ministries. The latter is designated as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, and also publishes Klingenschmitt's TV show, Pray in Jesus Name.
After being voted into the Colorado House of Representatives for the 2015–2017 term, he then failed to be elected into the Colorado Senate (2016), the vice-chairship of the El Paso County Republican Party (2017), and the Colorado Springs city council, twice (2019 and 2023).