Vacancies of State Chairman and Vice Chairman: If the State Chairman shall die, move from the state, resign, or otherwise become disqualified, then the Vice Chairman shall serve as Chairman until such vacancy shall be filled by the State Committee at a special meeting held within sixty (60) days for such purpose pursuant to written or electronic notice sent to all members of said committee stating such purpose 30 days prior to said meeting. Any person elected to fill such vacancy shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term. If the Vice Chairman shall die, move from the state, resign, or otherwise become disqualified, then the vacancy shall be filled by the State Committee as described for filling the office of Chairman.
Composition and Election: There shall be a State Committee of Oklahoma which shall be composed of two (2) members (one man and one woman) from each county of the State elected at a regular biennial County Convention, the State Chairman, the State Vice Chairman, the Chairman of the Oklahoma Federation of Young Republicans, the Chairman of the Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans, the Chairman of the Oklahoma Federation of Teen-Age Republicans, the president of the Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women, the chairman of the Oklahoma Minority Republican Coalition, the National Committeeman and Committeewoman of Oklahoma, the Republican members of the Oklahoma Legislature, all Republican officials who are elected statewide, all Republican members of the U.S. Congress from Oklahoma, the immediate past State Chairman, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of each Congressional District in the state. The County Chairman and Vice Chairman of each county are also members.
I’ve been married for 14 years and I’m a mother 3 kids. For the past 12 years, my husband and I have owned and operated a construction company in Oklahoma City. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. I’m delighted to serve on various non-profit boards in Oklahoma City. I’m passionate about my faith, my family, and our country.
I became directly involved with OKGOP in 2010-2011. I realized that I could no longer sit on the “political sidelines” and listen to a president who wants to “fundamentally transform America.” As a mother of 3 Okies, I wanted to preserve the conservative values that Oklahomans hold dear and ensure that we uphold and defend the constitutional liberties for the next generation.
I sought out volunteer opportunities in the community and I began getting involved with OKC Republican Women’s Club. I clearly recall asking the Chairman at that time, Matt Pinnell, “What else can I do to make a difference?” He responded, “Get involved at the precinct level.” Shortly after, I attended my first precinct meeting and was voted Chairman of Precinct 173 and Vice Chair of House District 84. Last summer, I had the privilege of being one of five women selected to represent Oklahoma at the RNC Women’s Summit held in Washington D.C.
At the 2013 OK County Convention, I was elected as 5th District Committeewoman. I’m currently Community Engagement Chair for Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women. In the years I’ve been involved, I’ve helped develop a successful community engagement program for OKC Republican Women’s Club and Oklahoma County GOP. By attending monthly naturalization ceremonies, we are registering new citizens to vote and sharing with them the importance of civic engagement. For the most part, minority communities share the conservative values of the Republican Party. We must continue building relationships and ensure that Republicans have a presence in all communities all year round.
My involvement outside of the Republican Party are helping out in various local and statewide campaigns. The most recent campaigns are James Lankford for US Senate, Steve Russell for US Congress, Mary Fallin for Governor, and Mick Cornett for Mayor of Oklahoma City.
I have been actively working in the Oklahoma Republican Party for the past five years. I recall speaking at the 2011 state convention with Evelyn McCoy, past president of OKCRW, on the importance of community outreach. I also had the opportunity to attend the 2013 state convention.
Republicans have been playing defense far too long with the Democratic Party. We have allowed the opposition to define us. It’s time for us to brand our party and start playing offense! Republicans have a great message that resonates with voters and I’m prepared to serve with humility, speak with boldness, and help grow the Republican Party.
In the years I’ve been involved, I’ve seen wonderful things happen as we work to elect strong Republicans. We have many organized clubs and passionate activists doing great work planting seeds of conservative principals. However, I have noticed tension and division within the party. In order for the party to have continued growth, we must work together to achieve success. We can start by putting Philippians 2:4 into practice, “Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.”
If elected Vice Chair, I will work diligently to strengthen, unite, and grow the party. Communication is the key to success of an organization. I will work to establish effective communication between the grassroots and OKGOP and help elect Republicans who stand on principal and will lead with conviction. In order for OKGOP to thrive, we must work together with organized clubs across the state such as Young Republican, College Republicans, and Republican Women’s Clubs. Oklahoma’s voter turn-out remains low and we must work together to empower the grassroots by helping precinct chairs get organized.
The top duties of the Vice Chair is to work closely with all 77 counties in order to strengthen, organize, and grow the party. The Vice Chair should establish effective communication between the grassroots and OKGOP and assist in electing strong Republican leaders. She/he must promote and grow the Republican Party by encouraging involvement at the precinct level. Build trust in the community by nurturing strong and lasting relationships between OKGOP and community leaders.
I’m truly humbled to have the support of many individuals in the Republican Party. Our National Committeeman, Steve Fair has publicly endorsed me.
There is a common saying, “In order to know where we are going, we must remember where we came from”. The Republican Party was formed for the purpose of fighting for the equal rights of others. The passage of the 13th and 15th amendment abolished slavery and gave blacks the right to vote. This was almost exclusively a Republican Party effort. We are the party that empowers women and are inclusive of all people.
We must continue to work together to promote the principles of the Republican Party. We have the responsibility to preserve and fight for our God given rights. I humbly ask for your support on April 11. Together we can make a difference in our state and in our nation.Thanks for participating, Estela!
I have two wonderful grown children who are married and I am hoping I will have a grandchild on the way someday soon! I was a full time Minister for many years and a graduate of a Theology school. My wife and I live in Ardmore, Oklahoma and we believe that trying our best to live Jesus’ words of loving God and our fellow man are the greatest good we can do for government and society. I have spent time in territory sales and until recently I owned a construction and remodeling company. I have a B.S. degree in Business.
My public political involvement goes back about a year and a half ago when I decided to attend a county committee meeting. I was soon appointed to precinct vice chair and then chair after the chair vacated that position. I worked closely with the county Republican Party when I ran for Carter County Treasurer in 2014. Early this year I was elected to precinct 31 chair and I attend and participate in the monthly meetings of the party. I believe my greatest contribution to the county party has been with my chairmanship of the Oklahoma Legislative Review. Once a month during the Oklahoma legislative session, we look at bills as they move through the political process. We ask questions like, “Does this bill limit government or does it grow government?” We want to know if it takes (by governmental force) money from one group and gives it to another or if it somehow reduces personal liberty. I believe this has sparked interest in many folks here in Carter County. They feel empowered to make a difference when they see how legislation and legislators really work.
Yes, I am currently Republican chairman of precinct 31 in Carter County Oklahoma.
In 2014 I launched a campaign to run for Carter County Treasurer. I was the first Republican in the county to ever run for this office. Although I came up a little short, it taught me so much about politics, about working with people, and about how to do the right thing regardless of pressure from others. I have never held an elected public office.
I am excited about attending my very first State GOP convention in 2015! I became publicly involved in politics in early 2014. The history of the conventions indicates I missed out on some important things, but I look forward to participating in this one and many more to come.6. What prompted you to run for this office?
Leadership within the Republican Party, from the RNC to the State GOP, has given us candidates and elected leaders which most don’t actually prefer in Oklahoma. They are the moderates and the middle of the road Republicans who make our stomach turn when we think that they are no different than middle of the road Democrats. These are the wishy-washy candidates the Republican leadership in DC has given us, yet State GOP leadership has proven that they wish to push only these same candidates of moderation just like their counterparts on the national level. Folks around these parts lean toward those who are truly conservative; ones who are actively seeking ways to slash the size of government and who wish only to let people be free to enjoy their lives without more and more government oversight and regulation.
This is why I decided to throw my name in the hat. I believe leadership needs to listen to the Republican people of this State (from the bottom up) rather than trying to manipulate the system so that we will nominate their kind of candidates every single time. When I saw the progress of SB233, which might have changed the presidential primary date in Oklahoma, this motivated me further. It would have discouraged voters even more than they already are. I stood opposed to this bill all along. My opponent, however, would not take a stand on SB233 when asked about it in public forum at Canadian County, Oklahoma. This left me and several other listeners with the impression that she would not share her opinion because she currently works with State Chairman Dave Weston who pushed the bill. Unfortunately, therefore, my opponent is a part of this same establishment which will push only candidates of moderation in the future and not give others the fair chance they deserve to be heard and voted upon by the people of our State.
I believe any elected leader should represent the people of the Party not the wishes of the higher-ups who sometimes seek to grow the party in their own way to the exclusion of those with differing views. My emphasis and top priority will be to ensure that the conservative voice gets a fair shake before the people of Oklahoma. Since a great percentage of our State leans in the conservative direction, we should offer that voice the opportunity to have the spotlight in our State party. Another priority I have is for the general public to be more informed to the way current state legislators vote so that they can make better voting decisions themselves. Let the chips fall where they may, but allowing people to know how their legislators perform and what they do can only produce a government more focused on limiting government, maximizing liberty, and promoting personal responsibility.
In addition to attending the necessary meetings and fighting for a conservative voice at the table, the Vice Chair should use the position as a way which will help strengthen the party for the future. While I believe growing the party is of utter importance, increasing knowledge of what legislators do is even more important. An educated party will naturally grow the party on its own. Thus, as Vice Chair I feel my duty will be to tour the state and help Republicans on the local level to understand what conservative politics is all about and to examine how some elected leaders don’t live up to the campaign promises they make. If a bill grows government or violates a principle of liberty, then I believe it is the responsibility of party leadership to inform voters of this so that they are in a better position to vote based upon real facts and real knowledge.
This one is difficult for me because I am not a political insider. I have political friends all over the state but have not talked with most of them about whether they specifically support my candidacy or not. My friend Howard Houchen in Hugo supports my run as does Larry Cotton of Lawton but most of my support comes from my home area of Carter County where folks may not be well known, but they are dedicated nonetheless. My hope, of course, is that voters look at where I stand and not who I know when they vote.
I was asked not long ago in public forum about if I believe the Republican Party is facing an identity crisis. I believe it is. The reason for this is because there is a disconnect between party leadership on the national and state level and the Republican people of our state. Leadership often promotes candidates who don’t look much different than their Democrat counterparts, while the people of our State are seeking more conservative leaders. I intend to bring to the table an attitude which allows all candidates to have a chance at leadership. It is high time for us to elect not just Republicans but also the right kind of Republicans. We are the party of limited government and less government intrusion. If I am elected Vice Chair, I will make it my aim to deliver the kind of conservative candidates the people of our state desire.Thanks for participating, John!
I am a fourth generation Oklahoman whose family originally homesteaded in Northeastern Seminole County in the township of Schoolton. I have been a resident of Lexington, OK for seventeen years. I graduated from Custer High School and Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics. My wife Tyra and I have been married for eighteen years and we have three children, Tanner, 16; Savana, 14; and Sela, 12. We attend church at First Baptist Lexington. Professionally I was employed for twenty plus years in the financial services industry.
I first decided to get involved in the Republican Party around 1998 because I believed in Right-To-Work. Since then I've been blessed to serve in multiple capacities from precinct chairman, to district committeeman, to county executive committee. I also worked at the state party as a staff member during 2005 and 2006 and I've been blessed to serve as the chairman since 2013.
I have volunteered and served as an advisor for multiple candidates at all stages from City Council to the Federal Level. Of note: I was very active in Cleveland County during Steve Largent's 2002 gubernatorial campaign as a volunteer and Dr. Coburn’s 2004 Senate campaign as a County Victory Coordinator. I also served on the Oklahoma team for Gov. Mike Huckabee’s 2008 presidential campaign. In 2009 I was blessed to consult with James Lankford on his initial and subsequent congressional campaigns and in 2011 I was proud be one of Cong. Jim Bridenstine's initial campaign advisors.
2016 is rapidly approaching and in my short tenure as Chairman, we’ve been blessed with outstanding success beginning with the surprising come-from-behind reelection of Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, then our efforts and approach were validated by huge successes last November.
I have had the privilege to meet and work closely with some of the brightest minds in Republican leadership across the country to develop a winning strategy.
In working with them, the principle of continuity has struck me time and again as essential to long term success. Among those leaders are three great examples: Roger Villere, Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party; Doyle Webb, Chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party; and Chris Devaney, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.
Their states are also some of the reddest in the union and they play a pivotal role in ensuring that conservative leadership expands at levels. Each has one thing in common: continuity in leadership. Each of those chairmen has served multiple terms for his party which has allowed them to keep making progress without the setbacks and inefficiencies associated with a turnover in leadership. That’s why I’m seeking re-election.
I'm a firm believer that it's going to take a generation of GOP control to fix the problems we've inherited from the liberal regressive good old boys who previously controlled Oklahoma. But we are going to have to achieve our objectives incrementally.
So we have to build and sustain our majorities by winning elections. This is best achieved through developing resources and services which our candidates can utilize to be successful. After all, we have many wonderful organizations that are raising money to give money to candidates but none are positioned to develop resources and services like the OKGOP. Second, we need to continue to train candidates on how to most effectively run and win. Finally, we have plenty of critics and watchdogs in the political process. Someone must carry the banner of the Republican Party for our candidates with messaging about the benefits of conservative principles while also pointing out the fallacies of the liberal regressive ideologues who oppose us.
We were blessed during the past cycle with unprecedented success throughout the state. We won in areas where many thought we could never be successful like Idabel and Okmulgee. While we’ve managed to turn those districts red, we need to continue to build upon our momentum and carry our achievements down to the courthouse, schoolhouse and municipal hall.
Additionally we need to continue to improve and coordinate our messaging, so we will work to establish projects like a media room at the state party headquarters that our candidates and elected officials can use. We also just began hosting a monthly communications luncheon with the Federal Delegation, Statewide Officials and the State House and Senate media personnel.
For this year we will need to raise approximately $600,000 to fund our operations and we are well on our way toward meeting this goal. Fundraising needs to come from a multifaceted approach of large statewide events, smaller regional events as well as, a combination of direct mail and individual solicitation from the Chairman. Now that our donors have seen our successes they are even more willing to help fund our operations.
Those plans are well underway; we actively petitioned the Southern Region Members of the National Committee and were unanimously selected to host the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, which will take place on in Oklahoma City May 21st, 22nd and 23rd. This will undoubtedly be the largest political event to take place in Oklahoma.
To date we've already been able to confirm Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov. Scott Walker, Dr. Ben Carson, Sen. Rick Santorum, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Donald Trump. In addition we are having an active dialogue with all of the other presidential hopefuls about coming to Oklahoma for this historic conference.
In addition, we are exploring options that will improve the probability of visits into 2016 as well.
I have been personally told by dozens of County Chairman, District Chairman, Women’s Club Presidents and elected officials at all levels that they are pleased with the job we have been doing at the State Party. The most common statements that I hear are, “There is no need to fix something that isn’t broken.” and “Let’s keep a good thing going!”
To date: National Committeeman Steve Fair, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, freshman State Senator’s Roger Thompson and Joseph Silk, and newly elected Dewey County Commissioner Dillon Berry represent a small fraction of those who have sent us statements of endorsement that we will be making public. We will be rolling out many more as the convention approaches.
My objective as Chairman has been one simple thing: to build upon the foundation that was laid by my predecessors. Each played a critical role in making our party what it is today. It is upon that foundation that we have just enjoyed the most successful election cycle in Oklahoma history. From the Courthouse to the State Capitol and up to the DC Beltway we were blessed to win 70% of the races in November.
Moving forward, we are poised to host the largest political event in Oklahoma history when we kick off the Southern Republican Leadership Conference this May. Oklahoma is positioned to become the center of the political universe during this event, and we will undoubtedly have more influence than we have ever had in determining our party's presidential nominee.
Due to term limits, the next four years pose a challenge to our party that requires steady leadership. And what we do will determine whether we continue our success in preparing and equipping a new generation of conservative control.
It is with that vision in mind that I am seeking re-election as Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party. Let’s keep a good thing going and institute a generation of GOP control in 2016 that will continue to move Oklahoma, and our nation, onward and upward!Thank you for participating, Dave.
