By Constitution Staff

On February 2, the Oklahoma State Election Board (OSEB) released its official voter registration report. At the end of 2025, there were 2,406,168 registered voters in Oklahoma. The largest number of Oklahoma’s voters are Republicans, who make up 53.2% of registered voters. Democrats are the second-largest party with 25.3% of registered voters. Democrats had long been the largest political party in Oklahoma, but were surpassed by Republicans in 2014. Libertarians now account for almost 1% of Oklahoma voters and independents (those with no party affiliation) round out the total with 20.4% of registered voters. If trends continue, independents may soon outnumber Democrats. There are now 1,282,277 Republicans, 609,265 Democrats, 23,332 Libertarians, and 491,294 are registered as independents.

Candidate Filing Second Largest in 25 Years

The 2026 three-day candidate filing period closed Friday, April 3, with 611 candidates filing for state, federal, legislative, and judicial offices, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board. That total makes it the second largest filing period in the past 25 years, behind only 2018, when 794 candidates filed for office. Candidate filing marks the official start of the election season, with individuals formally entering races that will appear on upcoming ballots. State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said the number of filings reflects strong participation in the electoral process. “Candidate filing is the official kickoff to the election season, and the 2026 filing period was a big one,” Ziriax said.

Democratic Party Recruits Candidates

The Oklahoma Democratic Party made a concerted effort this election year to recruit prospective candidates from across the state. For the first time in over a decade, the party covered filing fees for many of the candidates. The effort was part of a national campaign led by Contest Every Race, which had the goal to ensure that every Republican faced a challenger, especially in down-ballot races. While they substantially fell short of that goal, they did manage to gather the largest slate of candidates in the last decade. During the April 1-3 filing period, more Democrats put their name on the ballot than any time since 2020. Still, most offices were left without a Democrat candidate on the ballot. Many of those filings are first-time candidates, and are there just to ensure Democrats will have a name on the ballot.

Sen. Pugh Remains on State Superintendent Ballot

Following the April 1-3 candidate filing period, Contest of Candidacy challenges were heard on April 16 by the Oklahoma State Election Board. The challenge receiving the most publicity was from state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Fletcher) who challenged the candidacy of state Senator Adam Pugh (R-Edmond). Both are seeking the Republican nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Hasenbeck’s challenge to Pugh’s candidacy was denied in a 3-0 vote. Hasenbeck’s challenge was based on the salary for the Superintendent position being increased in November 2026. Last year the Statewide Official Compensation Commission (SOCC) voted for the increase. Article 5, Section 23 of the state Constitution says: “No member of the Legislature shall, during the term for which he was elected, be appointed or elected to any office or commission in the state, which shall have been created, or the emoluments of which shall have been increased, during his term of office.”

So, Hasenbeck’s challenge said that since the salary is being increased during Pugh’s current legislative term, that makes him ineligible to run for the office. Hasenbeck was also serving in the Legislature when the raise was enacted, but contended that her two-year term ends November 18 – before the raise officially begins. Pugh’s current four-year term does not end until November of 2028. The SOCC was aware that the increase could be a point of contention for legislators running for office this year, and included specific language in voting for the increase which stated that if a sitting legislator was elected to a statewide office, they would be paid the pre-raise salary. Thus, the salary would not be increased if Pugh wins the office, which would not violate the constitutional provision. The constitutional provision came into existence when the Oklahoma Legislature set the salaries, before they created the SOCC to perform that function.

Travis Wins House District 35 Special Election

On February 18, Republican Dillon Travis, a rancher from Meramec, became the newest member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He won the House District 35 Special General Election on February 10, defeating Democrat Luke Kruse with 64% of the vote. The election was necessary due to the resignation last year of former Rep. Ty Burns (R-Pawnee). The district includes portions of Pawnee County and parts of Creek, Noble, Osage and Payne counties. Travis will serve the remaining months of Burns’ term, and has filed for reelection for a full two-year term. In the regular election he is only being challenged by one of the other Republicans who ran in the Special Election, so the winner of the June 16 GOP Primary will be elected. The Oklahoma House is now comprised of 81 Republicans and 18 Democrats, with two vacancies.

House District 92 Special Election

State Rep. Forrest Bennett (D-Oklahoma City) resigned the House District 92 seat in the Oklahoma Legislature, effective December 1, 2025, in order to serve as the new president and lobbyist for the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO, Oklahoma’s largest labor union. Governor Stitt set the Special Election dates for the seat in south Oklahoma City to coincide with the regular 2026 election schedule. Since the same two Democrats were the only candidates to file for both the special and regular elections, both races will be settled in the June 16 Democratic Primary. If voters elect the same candidate in both the special and regular elections, the winner will serve the full two-year term in addition to the remainder of Bennett’s term. However, if two different candidates are elected in the special and regular elections, the winner of the special election will only serve a few months. In that case, barring the calling of a Special Legislative Session later this year, the winner of the Special Election might never actually participate in a session of the Legislature.

State Rep. Pittman Resigns Amidst Ethics Probe

Democrat state Rep. Ajay Pittman (D-Oklahoma City) resigned January 28, 2025 after being formally charged with three felony counts related to the alleged forgery of a check to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission involving a year-long probe into Pittman’s inaccurate reporting of campaign contributions and the misuse of campaign funds for personal use. Pittman was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery in the second degree, and violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. In resigning her seat, Pittman pled guilty and will receive a seven-year deferred sentence according to a news release from Attorney General Gentner Drummond. She must also pay full restitution for the misuse of campaign funds.

The vacancy occurred too late for a Special Election, so the seat will be vacant until a new representative is elected in the regular election in November. Five Democrats and a Republican filed for the open seat. Pittman was first elected to the House District 99 seat in 2018 and reelected in 2020, 2022 and 2024. The eastern Oklahoma City seat was previously held from 2006-2014 by her mother, former Representative and later state Senator Anastasia Pittman. Rep. Ajay Pittman was a typical liberal Democrat, earning a 15% score on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

State Rep. Waldron Suspends Reelection Campaign

Democrat state Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa) suspended his reelection campaign amid reports that he sent an sexually explicit AI-generated GIF animation of himself and a potential female candidate for state office – to the potential candidate – while he was Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Waldron abruptly resigned the chairman post last December after serving just five months in the position, apparently when the incident became known to party leaders. Vice Chair Erin Brewer, a candidate for state Senate in 2024, then assumed the chairmanship. House Minority (Democrat) Leader Cyndi Munson has publicly stated that she and other Democratic caucus members encouraged Waldron to resign and/or not seek reelection after he stepped down as party chairman, and that if he did run he would not receive caucus support.

Because Waldron ended his reelection bid after the time expired to withdraw from the race, his name will still appear on the Democratic primary ballot on June 16. But, with Waldron suspending his campaign, it is likely that the other Democrat in the race – Kristina Gabriel – will win the primary and be elected to the seat since no other candidates filed. In the meantime, Waldron submitted a letter to Governor Stitt, resigning from his Oklahoma House seat effective October 1. He was first elected to the seat in 2018 and reelected in 2020, 2022 and 2024. During his time in the Oklahoma Legislature he compiled an extremely liberal record, scoring just 5% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

Hilbert Reelected House Speaker-Designate

Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) has been reelected by House Republicans to serve as speaker-designate for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature, which begins next February. He was the only one to file for the position. The speaker-designate is chosen by the Republican Caucus during an election year, with the full House voting on organizational day in January 2027. The Speaker of the House serves as the chamber’s chief presiding officer, overseeing committee appointments, the flow of legislation and management of the House budget and staff. The speaker also serves as an ex officio voting member on all House committees. Hilbert was first selected as speaker-designate ahead of the 60th Legislature and currently serves as Speaker of the House. First elected in 2016 to represent House District 29, Hilbert previously served as Speaker Pro Tempore and vice chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. Hilbert will have one two-year term remaining before he is term-limit and cannot run in 2028. Rep. Hilbert is one of the more moderate Republicans in the Oklahoma House with a cumulative average score of 60% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

Paxton Reelected Senate Pro Tem-Designate

On March 30, Oklahoma Senate Republicans voted for Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) to continue leading the upper chamber for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature. Pro Tem Paxton ran unopposed for the leadership position, receiving unanimous support from his Republican colleagues to serve as Pro Tem-designate. He was first elected as Pro Tem in 2025. A resident of Tuttle, Paxton represents District 23, which encompasses portions of Grady and Canadian counties. The official vote to formally elect the President Pro Tempore will occur during the Senate’s Organizational Day in January 2027. Senator Paxton is one of the more moderate Republicans in the Oklahoma House with a cumulative average score of 64% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

U.S. Census Redistricting Data Program

Preparation is already underway for the 2030 U.S. Census, the headcount of every U.S. resident which forms the framework for billions of dollars of federal funding, and is also used for the redistricting of political boundaries. The Oklahoma House of Representatives is working with the U.S. Census Bureau as part of the Redistricting Data Program to assist in this effort. One key component of the program is the Block Boundary Suggestion Program (BBSP), which gives states the opportunity to recommend changes to census block boundaries – the smallest geographic unit used for census data collection.

The BBSP offers states the chance to preview the census tabulation blocks that will be used for the 2030 Census and to make suggestions for new boundaries. The program is also an opportunity to correct problematic census tabulation blocks and to create new blocks that can be used for other purposes, such as tabulating non-political boundaries. The state’s congressional, judicial, legislative and local election districts are built using whole census blocks. Any block boundary not present in the P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data, which will be released by the Census Bureau in early 2031, cannot be used for redistricting.

Government Health Insurance Marketplace

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to transition to a State-based Exchange on the Federal Platform (SBE-FP), effective May 1, 2026, marking a major milestone in Oklahoma’s efforts to help stabilize the individual health insurance market, make coverage more affordable, and expand choices. “Establishing a state-based marketplace will give Oklahoma greater ability to address unique challenges facing Oklahomans, through local control of programs impacting consumers across our state,” said Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready. For Oklahomans, enrollment will continue through HealthCare.gov for Plan Years 2026 and 2027. At the same time, OID will begin taking on key Exchange responsibilities like plan management, consumer assistance, and public engagement, to increase oversight of the market and provide more tailored consumer support.

GRF Collections Top Estimate in March

General Revenue Fund (GRF) collections in March came in above expectations, continuing a steady fiscal year performance despite a year-over-year dip for the month. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) reported that March GRF collections totaled $634.2 million, exceeding the monthly estimate by $18.7 million, or 3 percent. However, that total was $26.9 million, or 4.1 percent, below March 2025 collections. For the fiscal year – fiscal years span from July 1 to June 30 – collections remain ahead of projections. GRF totals through the first nine months of Fiscal Year 2026 reached $6.1 billion, which is $315.1 million, or 5.5 percent, above the year-to-date estimate and $35.5 million, or 0.6 percent, higher than the same period last year. “March collections exceeded estimates in every major category,” said Mark Wood, director of OMES. “Notably, sales tax outperformed last March by 11.8%. As we enter the final quarter of the fiscal year, we anticipate continued stability in both GRF collections and Oklahoma’s economy.” The latest figures reflect consistent revenue performance as the state moves into the final quarter of the fiscal year. Collections continue to outpace official estimates overall.

$12.8 Billion State Budget Approved for FY-27

On April 1 – in what is believed to be the earliest budget agreement on record – Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton and Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert jointly announced a $12.8 billion budget agreement for the Fiscal Year 2027 that begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2027. The budget will fund most state agencies with a flat appropriation. However, the plan did include a $232 million increase for common education, with funding directed toward teacher pay raises and programs aimed at improving reading and math outcomes for students. The agreement also provides additional funding for healthcare, public safety, mental health services and water infrastructure, along with targeted investments in economic development. It avoided tapping into the large state savings account. Stitt said Oklahoma has built up to $5.5 billion in reserves during his time in office, with the state’s Rainy Day Fund now at its constitutional cap.

The main element of the agreement was Senate Bill 1177, the General Appropriations bill. It passed the Senate in a 28-17 vote on April 7 and in the House 76-18 on April 9. Governor Stitt signed the bill on April 15.Traditionally, budget negotiations occupy a large portion of time in late April and into May. With the budget out of the way, the Oklahoma Legislature is poised to move rapidly through its remaining business which includes cross-chamber committee and floor processes, conference committees and Senate executive nominations. “I am so excited to get this thing done early and get it locked down,” Governor Stitt said.

Combat Disruption of Worship Services

Senate Bill 743 by Sen. Todd Gollihare (R-Bristow) and Rep. Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa) updates an existing statute related to the willful disruption of assemblies meeting for religious worship, clarifies enforcement provisions, and strengthens penalties for repeated violations. It was approved by the Oklahoma House 73-21last May 6, 2025, and was returned to the Senate, but did not get a vote for final passage until February 4 this year. It was one of the first bills approved in the current session, passing 31-15, and was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on February 6.

The bill affirms constitutional protections for free speech, protest, and lawful assembly, while establishing parameters to protect congregants during worship services. Under the legislation, protesters within 100 feet of a place of worship must maintain at least eight feet of distance from individuals entering or exiting, unless consent to approach is given. “Oklahomans should never have to choose between exercising their faith and feeling safe while doing so,” Gollihare said. “Yet that is exactly what happens when worship services are deliberately targeted and turned into political battlegrounds.” Senator Gollihare said recent incidents reflect a growing national pattern in which political activists use intermediaries to carry out harassment inside places of worship.

Oklahoma Data Privacy Law Signed

A new law giving Oklahomans more control over their personal data was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt on March 20. Senate Bill 546, by Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) and Rep. Josh West (R-Grove) creates new rights for consumers to access, correct, delete, and obtain copies of their personal data. The law allows Oklahomans to opt out of the sale of their data and certain targeted advertising practices. Businesses covered under the law include those that process personal data from more than 100,000 consumers, or those handling data from at least 25,000 consumers while generating most of their revenue from selling that data. The companies will be required to provide clear privacy notices, maintain data security safeguards, and obtain consent before collecting sensitive personal information. The Oklahoma Attorney General is authorized to take action against companies that fail to comply. The law includes exemptions for certain entities, including state agencies, nonprofits and higher education institutions, as well as data already regulated under federal laws such as HIPAA. Senate Bill 546 takes effect January 1, 2027.

Strengthened Strong Readers Act

On April 21, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778 into law, strengthening Oklahoma’s Strong Readers Act and making historic investments to help ensure every student can read by the end of third grade. Based on Spring 2025 testing, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are reading at or above grade level. The legislation strengthens early literacy efforts through statewide reading screenings, targeted interventions grounded in the science of reading, additional support and training for teachers, stronger accountability measures and improved communication with parents about their child’s reading progress. Under the new law, schools will identify reading deficiencies earlier and provide evidence-based interventions to help students improve before they fall behind. The legislation also expands teacher training opportunities, increases classroom support for educators and establishes new expectations for colleges of education preparing Oklahoma’s future teachers.

Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond) and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) were the principal authors for the legislation. To support the reforms, the state budget includes significant investments in literacy initiatives, including more than $43 million for reading instruction and interventions in schools, $5 million in supplemental funding for teacher training academies this summer, and $5 million in ongoing annual funding for teacher training programs. Additional funding will support reading-at-home initiatives and statewide math and reading screeners to help educators identify student learning needs earlier.

Enforcement of Wildlife Regulations on Tribal Lands

On March 24, the Oklahoma Supreme Court sided with Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s legal opinion concerning the state’s enforcement of Wildlife regulations on native lands of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations. It survived the challenge by Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) asking the state’s highest court to strike down AG Opinion 2025-19. Drummond issued the legal opinion last December declaring that federal law prevents Oklahoma from arresting and prosecuting tribal members for hunting and fishing on tribal lands. The dispute will ultimately be resolved by the federal court, where a lawsuit filed by the three tribal nations is still pending.

Tribal Citizens Not Exempt from State Income Tax

Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court decision on April 6 to uphold the Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission. The ruling confirms that the McGirt decision does not extend to Oklahoma’s civil or taxing jurisdiction. “This is about fairness for all four million Oklahomans,” said Governor Stitt. “Time and time again, the courts have limited the McGirt decision, rightfully upholding state jurisdiction. This decision made it clear that someone’s tax bill will not be based on their race.”

In Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Oklahoma Supreme Court held that an enrolled tribal citizen living and working in eastern Oklahoma is not exempt from the state income tax. The court also ruled that McGirt’s criminal ruling does not change the State’s civil or tax authority. By declining to review the case, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the state high court decision to remain the law in Oklahoma, and confines the McGirt decision to major crimes only and does not diminish Oklahoma’s broader sovereign authority. The State continues to exercise its full jurisdiction outside that limited context, and state and federal courts have consistently rejected efforts to expand McGirt beyond its bounds. It means that further attempts to stretch McGirt will not likely succeed.

Gatz Reappointed as Secretary of Transportation

On February 25, Gov. Kevin Stitt reappointed Tim Gatz as Secretary of Transportation, a key Cabinet position which requires Oklahoma Senate confirmation. “This whole ordeal was nothing more than semantics,” said Governor Stitt. “Gatz started with me in 2019 as my go-to for all transportation matters, and he has remained in that role ever since. I’m glad I can restore his proper title. It’s unfortunate that a politically motivated waste of time and taxpayer dollars tried to distract from his work on behalf of Oklahomans.” Gatz was appointed Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation by Governor Stitt in 2019 and reappointed in 2024. With over three decades at ODOT, starting as a drafting technician in 1990, Gatz rose to the executive team in 2006, developing key project management methodologies and streamlining processes.

Gatz resigned from the Secretary position in February 2024, after Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued an opinion that Gatz could not hold multiple state positions. At that time, Gatz served as the Secretary of Transportation, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA). Gatz still serves as the Executive Director of ODOT. After Drummond released his opinion, Governor Stitt and other Cabinet secretaries filed a lawsuit against him in March 2024. Last November, the Oklahoma Supreme Court reversed Drummond’s opinion.

Secretary of Licensing and Regulation

Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Adria Berry as Secretary of Licensing and Regulation, placing her in charge of a cabinet role that oversees more than 80 state agencies focused on professional licensing and regulatory policy. Berry has served as executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority since 2021, overseeing licensing and compliance in the state’s medical cannabis industry. Her work there included expanding enforcement efforts and refining licensing processes as the agency matured. Berry said her focus in the new role will be reducing unnecessary barriers for workers and business owners in regulated industries. A licensed attorney, Berry previously served as counselor to the Secretary of State in the Governor’s executive office and later led government affairs for the Petroleum Alliance and the State Chamber of Oklahoma. She also serves as board president of the national Cannabis Regulators Association.

Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport

On April 14, the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Burns Flat was renamed as the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport. The “Infinity One” name ties its origin back to the official designation given by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the original space launch corridor when the facility was initially approved for a spaceport license at the former Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base. Spanning 2,700 acres, Infinity One boasts a 13,503' x 300' all-weather concrete runway, which is among the top ten longest civilian runways in the country. The new brand features new visuals and marketing messages as well as polished mission, vision, and values statements.

On April 16, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), in partnership with Dawn Aerospace, announced the opening of applications for the Runway-to-Space Spaceplane Challenge from the spaceport. This first-of-its-kind U.S. competition invites researchers to fly payloads aboard Dawn’s remote operated Aurora suborbital uncrewed spaceplane that is set to launch experiments next year. The competition will allocate up to 25 flights, offering selected teams an opportunity to test, iterate, and re-fly experiments.

Unlike traditional suborbital missions that are usually single-use and spaced months apart, the Aurora is designed for rapid, runway-based operations with turnaround times measured in hours. Each flight can provide up to 127 seconds of microgravity, with the ability to carry payloads weighing up to 33 pounds. Former Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine is the managing partner of The Artemis Group and was the head of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) during the first Trump administration. He said: “This competition is about capturing the imagination of scientists, engineers, and researchers, while also enabling a new way of working, where research can move faster, iterate more frequently, and strengthen U.S. leadership in space-enabled science and industry.”

Route 66 Pavement Marking Project

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC), has launched a new statewide pavement marking project along historic U.S. Route 66. Serving as a tribute to the historical route, the project will enhance on-the-ground visibility of the iconic corridor ahead of the Centennial celebration for the many travelers expected to make the drive this year. Oklahoma has more driveable miles of historic Route 66 than any other state. The project will install 100 official Route 66 pavement markings at 50 locations statewide. Each site will feature the recognizable Route 66 badge and will be customized to reflect the specific community, with the location name prominently displayed in the top bar of the emblem.

Work began in Bristow and continued across the state, with completion anticipated by the end of April. Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa will have four marking locations each, with additional sites distributed along the Route 66 corridor statewide. The total cost of the project is $341,000, with the majority of funding made possible through a 2024 grant from the ODOC. An additional $91,000 contribution from ODOT helped bring the project to completion. Communities interested in additional Route 66 pavement markings beyond the 50 selected locations may apply, and approved applicants will be responsible for funding the cost.

True Grit Trail

The True Grit Trail in eastern Oklahoma will become a reality now that House Bill 1411 has been signed into law by Governor Stitt. Rep. Jim Grego (R-Wilburton) is the author of the legislation, and Sen. Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain) is the Senate author. “I think everyone in Oklahoma and probably in the nation is familiar with the story of ‘True Grit,’ either from the novel written by Charles Portis or through the movie adaptations,” Grego said. “Because the story takes place partly in Oklahoma, we thought it would be great to memorialize this trail and perhaps attract some additional tourism to this area. Oklahoma already has popular golf and fishing trails as well as a new Civil Rights Trail. This will add to the reasons for people to come and visit our great state.”

“True Grit” follows the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross who hires U.S. Marshall Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father. The trio trace the murderous gang into what was known as “Indian Territory” in 1878. The movie role of Rooster Cogburn was first played by John Wayne in 1969 and in a 2010 remake by Jeff Bridges. Mattie Ross was played by Kim Darby in the original. Hailee Steinfeld played the character in the 2010 film.

The measure requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to post signs along Oklahoma state highways directing visitors to towns and places of interest along the trail including: Sallisaw, Spiro, Bokoshe, McCurtain, Kinta, Quinton, Krebs, McAlester, Hartshorne, Wilburton, Red Oak, Bengal, Talihina, Robbers Cave State Park, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. ODOT and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department will collaborate to maintain information regarding the True Grit Trail on an online platform.

Pinnell Named to ORU Position

Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell of Tulsa is term-limited and could not run for reelection to a third four-year term this year. Pinnell was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. There had been speculation that Pinnell might run for another office in 2026. But on March 9, he posted on Facebook, “I will not be a candidate for any elected public office this year.” Later in the month it was revealed that he will be the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at his alma mater, Oral Roberts University, once his term as Lt. Governor concludes in January 2027. The former Oklahoma Republican Party chairman was the youngest chairman in the country at the time of his election to that post. In 2010, he helped Republicans secure all five congressional seats and every statewide elected office simultaneously for the first time in Oklahoma history. In 2013, he was named as the National State Party Director at the Republican National Committee (RNC), serving as the chief liaison between the RNC and state parties.

Oklahoma Native Chuck Norris Honored

Following the death of Oklahoma native Chuck Norris on March 19, at age 86, State Rep. Stacy Jo Adams (R-Duncan) filed House Concurrent Resolution 1021 recognizing Norris for a lifetime of achievement and contributions to the state and nation. The measure was heard on the House floor and adopted on March 23 and sent to the Senate where Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) was the Senate author. Norris, who was born March 10, 1940, in Ryan, was honored for his impact as a United States Air Force serviceman, martial artist, actor and philanthropist. He achieved international recognition as an actor, starring in numerous films and the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” becoming a cultural figure known across generations. In addition to his work in entertainment, Norris has supported numerous philanthropic efforts, including programs focused on youth development and character education.

Passing of Former Sen. Bernice Shedrick

Former State Sen. Bernice Shedrick passed away on January 20, at the age of 85. She began her career as an educator, then later became an attorney. She was a graduate of Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma City University School of Law. The Democrat from Stillwater served in the Oklahoma Senate for District 21 from 1980 to 1996. She ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 1994, losing in the Democratic Runoff primary election. When first elected to the Senate, she was the only woman serving in the upper chamber, but she rose through the ranks, becoming chair of the Education Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and the Judiciary Committee. She was the principal Senate author of House Bill 1017, the landmark education legislation which substantially increased funding, as well as the legislation creating the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (the OSSM library is named in her honor). She was one of the typical liberal Democrats in the Legislature, earning a cumulative average score of 16% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index during her time in the Legislature.

Passing of Tim Leonard

Former Republican state Senator, U.S. Attorney, and Federal District Judge Tim Leonard passed away on March 2 at age 86. Leonard, originally from Beaver, was elected to the Senate (District 27) in 1978 and served two and a half terms. He was the GOP nominee for Lt. Governor in 1986, but in his bid to become Oklahoma’s first Republican Lt. Governor lost the general election to Democrat Robert S. Kerr, III. Leonard resigned his Senate seat in 1988 to accept a nomination from former U.S. Senator Don Nickles, and the appointment from President George H.W. Bush, to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, a position he held from 1989-1992. President Bush later appointed Leonard as a Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. He served on the bench from 1992 until his death. He also served in private law practice during his career and held numerous other political and government positions. He was one of the more moderate Republicans in the Legislature, earning a cumulative average score of 57% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index during his time in the State Senate.

Passing of Former Sen. James Howell

Former state Sen. James Howell (D-Midwest City) passed away on April 14 at the age of 91. Howell represented Senate District 42 from 1970 until 1986. He started his career as a teacher and coach, then earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He also served as a city judge, and for more than 20 years, he was an attorney for Mid-Del Public Schools. In the Senate, he chaired the Senate Education Committee for 12 years, and championed legislation for gifted and talented students, as well as the constitutional amendment that created Oklahoma’s Rainy Day Fund, which continues to provide a backstop for services to Oklahomans. Rose State’s transition from a junior college to a state college was also accomplished thanks to the efforts of Senator Howell. His public service continued after he left the Legislature, serving as a regent for Rose State as well as serving on the Mid-Del School board. His service in the Legislature was at a time when Democrats were not as liberal, with many scoring in the 50s. He scored in the middle range among the Democrats, earning a cumulative average score of 27% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.