Rep. Lowe resigns from State House to take County Commission seat

State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) is the third member of the State House to resign to take a new position since the November election. Mark Vancuren (R-Owasso) stepped down in December to work as a deputy county commissioner in Tulsa County, Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa) in January to take a position under the new Tulsa mayor, and Lowe is resigning because he won a special election for Oklahoma County Commissioner on April 1st.

Lowe announces departure from legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 7th) – Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, announced his resignation from the Oklahoma Legislature on April 7th. 

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve the great residents of House District 97,” Lowe said. “I’m thankful to have been elected to serve you and to serve alongside my esteemed colleagues of the legislature. I want to thank my colleagues for all of their support and insight they’ve given me over the years.”

State Rep. Amanda Swope resigns mere weeks before legislative session

Oh, look... a second state legislator to resign in the weeks after winning reelection. Here comes another special election in 2025; that will make for at least three in the first half of the year (two house, one senate). State Rep. Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa) makes it a bipartisan affair, leaving to take a position with new Tulsa mayor and former State Rep. Monroe Nichols:

Swope announces departure from legislature, outlines future plans to continue serving Tulsa

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 13th) – Oklahoma House Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, announced her final day in the Oklahoma Legislature will be January 28, 2025. Swope will start work as the Director of Tribal Policy & Partnership in the administration of Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols.

State Rep. Vancuren resigns mere weeks after winning reelection

You know what's super annoying to me? State legislators who resign mere weeks after winning reelection. Taxpayers literally just spent thousands of dollars on the election that Rep. Vancuren just won, and now are on the hook again for a special election.

Vancuren Announces Resignation From House After Six Years of Service

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, announced today that he will resign from the House District 74 seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, effective January 1, 2025, after six years of dedicated service to the state. Elected in 2018, Vancuren served as the vice chair of the House Common Education Committee for the duration of his tenure and played an instrumental role in shaping legislative outcomes in education, fiscal policy and transparency.

State Rep. Martinez resigns amid fallout over felony DUI plea

Proverbs 20:1 says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." True words.

State Rep. Ryan Martinez was arrested on a DUI-related offense back in October, escalated to a felony due to having a past DUI charge. As was the case with another fellow drunkard legislator, the intoxicated Martinez tried to use his "get out of jail free card" (newsflash: it isn't) and political connections to evade arrest -- to no avail. Martinex pled guilty earlier this month to the felony charge, receiving a one-year deferred sentence, $1,000 in court costs, and six months of an alcohol interlock device in his vehicle.

Statutory language prohibiting legislators from holding office with a felony conviction or plea launched a disagreement between Gov. Stitt on one side, and House Speaker Charles McCall and Attorney General Gentner Drummond on the other. I feel that Stitt is in the right on this, and McCall/Drummond are not. Martinez ended the argument by going ahead and resigning (triggering a special election). Many thanks to NonDoc for good coverage on this story over the months.

Bodycam footage of arrest

Martinez Releases Statement, Resigning Office

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, today issued the following statement saying he will resign from his legislative seat effective Sept. 1, 2023.

Pastor Dusty Deevers announces candidacy in Oklahoma Senate District 32 special election

The recent resignation of State Sen. John Michael Montgomery has triggered a special election in State Senate District 32. Six candidates - four Republican, two Democratic - filed for this seat in the Lawton area, which has been held by Republicans since 2018. The winner-take-all primary election will be October 10th, with the general election on December 12th.

One of the four Republicans is a man of stellar character and conservatism, Dusty Deevers.

State Sen. John Michael Montgomery resigns to take lead role at Lawton Chamber of Commerce

State Sen. John Michael Montgomery is resigning to head up the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. He becomes the second legislator in the past six years to resign to lead a local Chamber (the last being State Rep. Scott Martin resigning to join the Norman Chamber).

Sen. Montgomery announces resignation, accepts new role with Lawton Chamber

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, released the following statement Friday after announcing that he will be resigning from the Oklahoma Senate, effective Aug. 1, 2023, to accept the role of president and CEO of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce.

Report: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe to announce retirement on Monday

 

Sen. Inhofe at a recent Senate hearing.

It is being widely reported this evening that U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is planning on announcing his retirement from the Senate on Monday (Politico, New York Times).

Inhofe (elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and then the U.S. Senate in 1994) turned 87 in November, and his wife Kay has, evidently, been in poor health in recent years.

Back in December 2019, my Muskogee Politico Insiders Panel discussed the then-uncertainty over Inhofe's 2020 reelection plans. I asked the panelists who they thought would jump into the Senate race should Inhofe retire, and here are some of the names they tossed out back in 2019:

Democrat State Rep resigns after allegedly sexually assaulting lobbyist

State Rep. Jose Cruz (D-OKC) resigned from office on Friday in the wake of an alleged sexual assault on a female lobbyist at a New Years' Eve party.

In his resignation letter, Cruz said the following:

'Unite Norman' calls on citizens to apply for vacant council seat

Applications Now Open to Fill City Council Seat in Ward 5 Vacated by Sereta Wilson; Unite Norman Calls upon Citizens to Apply

• Grassroots Group Calls for Applicants to Step Up, Let Their Voices Be Heard, and Make their Positions Known
• With Overwhelming 25% Support of Ward 5 in Recall Signatures Thus Far, Unite Norman Calls for the Grassroots Organization to Have a “Seat at the Table” on the Selection Committee

NORMAN — Unite Norman — the grassroots group behind the effort to recall the mayor and city council for defunding the police and not upholding the will of the people — is encouraging citizens to apply for the City Council seat in Ward 5, after the city announced today that applications are now available to backfill the position created by Sereta Wilson’s resignation.

The group encouraged citizens to step forward to serve and to let their positions be know on how to unite Norman.

“Our grassroots effort has made it very clear that voters here want a focus on Norman, not national politics and extreme ideologies,” said Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “We encourage applicants to publicly make their priorities known, so the people or Norman know exactly where they stand on the issues.”

Sen. Smalley, chairman who obstructed abortion abolition bill, resigns to take private-sector job

The favorite pastime of the Oklahoma Legislator in recent years continues to go on. Another month, another legislative resignation for a job outside elected office. Last month, it was Democrat State Rep. Shane Stone; this month, it's Republican Sen. Jason Smalley.

In the past three and a half years, something like a dozen legislators (only two of which were Democrats) have resigned either in disgrace or to take another job.

Hat tip to NonDoc.com for reporting the news, and uploading Smalley's resignation letter, shown below:

Smalley would have been up for reelection this year, having been elected to the State House in 2012 and then moving to the Senate by winning his seat in the 2014 election.

More from NonDoc:

Smalley said he will not be a registered lobbyist for Motorola in Oklahoma but that he will supervise the duties of a registered lobbyist. In his official resignation letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt (embedded below), Smalley said he will “be in charge of [Motorola’s] Oklahoma operations.”

Last session, Senator Smalley received national attention for refusing to give the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act a fair hearing in the Senate's Health & Human Services Committee, which he chaired. Smalley stood in the way of a measure that sought the same consistent goal that he has repeatedly espoused over the years -- the end of abortion in Oklahoma.

While some of those who advocated for the bill could have followed more advisable methods of urging him to allow the bill to be heard, the fact remains that abortions are being performed today because Senator Jason Smalley took the side of Planned Parenthood and quashed the idea of trying a new strategy to bring abortion to a swift end.

Good riddance.

UPDATE -- Sen. Smalley issued the following press release:

Sen. Jason Smalley announces resignation from District 28 seat

State Senator Jason Smalley announced Tuesday he would resign office effective January 31.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Lincoln, Pottawatomie, and Seminole counties, and I will always treasure the trust that the citizens of Oklahoma have placed in me,” said Smalley, R-Stroud. “After serving my country in the U.S. Marines for six years and eight years in an elective office, I believe it is the right time and opportunity to enter back into the business world.

Smalley said he would be named Senior Account Manager for the Motorola Solutions Corp., in charge of its Oklahoma operation.

“Motorola Solutions provides critical-mission technologies utilized by our first-responders, ensuring public safety across Oklahoma and the country,” Smalley said. “My experience in public office and as a Marine makes it a great fit and opportunity to continue to improve the communities in Oklahoma.”

Smalley passed the most significant teacher pay raise in state history and was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Higher Education three times, most notably for his work on reforming the Oklahoma Promise scholarship. Smalley was the first member to raise the income cap in over fifteen years. He also laid the framework to allow ridesharing networks like Uber to operate in Oklahoma.

Smalley was raised in Stroud, graduating from Stroud High School, where he earned a music scholarship to the University of Central Oklahoma. While attending college, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, where he served multiple tours. Following an honorable discharge in 2006, he received his degree in Social Science from the University of Oklahoma. He was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representative in 2012, and two years later, to the Oklahoma State Senate. Smalley currently serves as the Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Education, General Government, and Rules.

He and C’Anne have been married since 2003 and have three boys, Gideon, August, and Lincoln.

Smalley said he would send his resignation letter, to be effective January 31, 2020, to State Senate Pro-Tempore Greg Treat later today.

Rep. Stone resigns, will donate campaign funds to help pay for special election

It's been a while since we had a legislative resignation. It was all the rage back in 2017, with the majority of those coming due to some sort of misbehavior or scandal.

Rep. Shane Stone (D-OKC) is stepping down to "pursue opportunities away from state politics and the legislature", and has pledged to delegate his campaign funds to the state election board for the purpose of helping alleviate the costs of a special election. The most recent ethics reports show that Stone had a total of $18,964.99 in his campaign account as of October 31st.

It looks as if this move had been planned for some time. One candidate - Democrat Jose Cruz - has filed with the Ethics Commission for the seat currently held by Stone. In the most recent quarterly report (the only report filed by Cruz thus far), four Democratic legislators are listed as donating: Sen. Michael Brooks (D-OKC), Rep. Forrest Bennett (D-OKC), Rep. Jason Dunnington (D-OKC), and Rep. Collin Walke (D-OKC). It seems highly unlikely that Cruz would receive this support from Stone's colleagues without his blessing and advance knowledge of his pending departure.

House District 89 has never been held by a Republican. With a Republican District Rating of 28.1, it is the sixth least Republican district in the state house, eighth least in the legislature.

Stone Announces December Departure from Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Shane Stone (D-OKC) has announced today that he will be leaving the legislature before his term is complete in 2020.

In order to pursue opportunities away from state politics and the legislature, Stone has submitted a letter to the Governor's office to end his tenure as the District 89 representative on​ Dec. 31, 2019.

“Representing South Side Oklahoma City has been a life-changing and rewarding experience,” Stone said. “I will always think fondly of my time advocating for the communities in Oklahoma City that rarely get recognized at our Capitol. We have suffered losses together, and we have celebrated victories. However, a time has come where I can no longer give the same dedication to this job that I have in the past. Because of this, I have opted to move aside and help find someone who can provide this district with the representation it needs.”

Stone said outside of leaving the opportunity to advocate for his community, he will miss the friends he has made in the legislature.

“When you fight next to people for years for change that can transform the lives of Oklahomans through expanding education and healthcare, when you are attacked by special interests together, when you face the ups and downs of the Capitol together, you build a unique and special bond,” Stone said. “I have had the opportunity to work with many, many great people in the legislature, from both sides of the aisle, that I admire and will consider a friend for the rest of my life.”

Honoring a commitment he made during a debate a few years ago in the legislature, Stone will delegate campaign funds to the election board to go toward a special election to name his successor.

“I made a comment during a debate that lawmakers who leave their seat early should help pay, to the best of their ability, for the special election to replace them,” Stone said. “I still believe that today and will act accordingly.”

Pinnell calls for Murphy to resign over conflicts of interest

PINNELL CALLS FOR CORPORATION COMMISSIONER DANA MURPHY TO RESIGN

Commissioner Murphy Hurting Ratepayers and Courting Influence While Running for Lt. Governor

Tulsa, Oklahoma (July 19, 2018) – Lieutenant Governor candidate Matt Pinnell called today for his fellow contender, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy, to resign from her position with the Commission. The request came amid the Corporation's ongoing consideration of the Wind Catcher Energy Project—one of the largest cases in history—and her continuation of accepting donations from individuals and corporations she is constitutionally bound to regulate. Commissioner Murphy is gathering donations from individuals on both sides of the Windcatcher case and slow-playing a ruling as a way to raise money using her influence as a Corporation Commissioner.

"Commissioner Murphy can’t have it both ways: you can’t raise money from the very people you are regulating while at the same time running for a different office. This is what voters loathe. We’re tired of the same politicians answering to the same special interests. I’m asking Commissioner Murphy to do the right thing, resign to run for this office if she truly wants to be Lt. Governor,” Pinnell said.

Last quarter, over 84 percent of Commissioner Murphy’s campaign donations were from individuals and industries she regulates, and even more concerning, she has taken money from those directly involved in the current Wind Catcher proceedings.

“Commissioner Murphy is using her current government role to enhance her self-interest and fill-up the coffers of her campaign account while at the same time delaying a ruling in a consequential Corporation Commission case because she just simply doesn’t like the political optics that would result in picking a side,” said Pinnell.

Dana Murphy has collected more than $500,000 from industry sources to fuel her campaign for Lieutenant Governor, while at the same time sitting on the Corporation Commission regulating those same interests.

"I, as an Oklahoman, call for Commissioner Murphy to step down, effective immediately and let’s have a discussion on her plans as Lt. Governor. I ask that she quit playing politics and wasting taxpayer money holding a government job she is currently not fulfilling.”

State Rep. Biggs resigns, creates 10th vacancy this term

State Rep. Scott Biggs (R-Chickasha) announced late yesterday that he is resigning his legislative seat effective immediately in order to take "a federal appointment" related to the agriculture industry. NonDoc reports that Biggs "will become executive director of the U.S. Farm Service Agency".

Biggs was chairman of the House Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee, where he drew ire for holding up some reform measures. Biggs also was perhaps the most self-promoting member of the Legislature -- one of the more frequent press releases I've received this year was when Rep. Biggs was given an award by some group.

His resignation creates the 10th vacant seat in the Legislature since the 2016 general election just shy of twelve months ago.

Legislative resignations since November 2016:

• State Rep. Tom Newell (R) - private sector job
• State Rep. Dan Kirby (R) - sexual harassment allegations
• State Rep. Scott Martin (R) - private sector job
• State Sen. Ralph Shortey (R) - felony child prostitution charges
• State Rep. David Brumbaugh (R) - sudden death
• State Sen. Kyle Loveless (R) - campaign finance violations
• State Sen. Dan Newberry (R) - private sector job
• State Sen. Bryce Marlatt (R) - felony sexual battery charges
• State Rep. Scott Inman (D) - family issues

STUNNER: Minority Leader Inman resigns, drops gubernatorial bid

House Minority Leader Scott Inman (D-Del City) stunned observers today by announcing his resignation from office and the end of his gubernatorial campaign. Here's the statement he made:

For the last eleven years, it has been my honor and privilege to represent the people of my hometown of Del City at the State Capitol. For the last seven years it has been a true pleasure to lead the honorable women and men of the House Democratic Caucus as House Minority Leader. And for the last six months, it has been the dream of a lifetime to travel across this great state to visit with my fellow Oklahomans about the issues important to them in my campaign for Governor.

Those roles and responsibilities, while at times enjoyable and rewarding, did not come without a price. Unfortunately, that price was paid by those nearest and dearest to me. The stresses and strains of my career, the time away from my family, and the choice to wrongly prioritize my life’s decisions have brought me to this moment. I can no longer ask my wife and children to sacrifice for me. It is time for me to reprioritize what is important in this world.

Therefore, I am announcing today, that I will be immediately ending my campaign for Governor of Oklahoma and will be stepping down from the legislature at the beginning of next year, leaving me time to complete the important work of the special session before us in the legislature.

To those who believed and invested in me over the years, especially during these last six months, I am truly grateful for your support. To the kind-hearted citizens who called, emailed, and messaged me during the campaign to encourage my family and me along the journey, I offer a sincere thank you. To those who volunteered for my campaign, sacrificing their time and talent to aid in our run for Governor, I thank you as well. To the campaign team that helped make my dream a reality, I will never forget your devotion, drive, and passion to make a real change in this state. To the incredibly talented and thoughtful Representatives with whom I have served in the House Democratic Caucus, those who honored me by allowing me to serve as their leader, words cannot express the love and gratitude I have for you. To the citizens of House District 94, my hometown, serving you will always stand as one of the highest honors of my life. And to my family, both immediate and extended, what you have sacrificed for me will leave me forever indebted to you.

This moment is certainly disappointing for me and I am certain it will come as a disappointment to those who believed in my campaign and our vision for Oklahoma’s future. To you, I would offer that my time in the legislature has taught me ideals and goals are much bigger than one person or one campaign. Those things we collectively fought for like better public schools for our children, access to quality health care for all of our citizens, a more fair and just criminal justice system, and a tax structure that fairly balances the burden of funding core services in this state are no less important or no less worthy today.

I implore you to keep up the fight. Always hold those in power accountable for the decisions they make that have sweeping effects on the nearly four million people who call our state home. And never forget that those of us blessed to be called Representative, Senator, or Governor work for you.

The next few days will be challenging for my friends and family. I ask for your understanding, your prayers, and privacy during this time. And I once again thank you for the allowing me to take part in this incredible journey. I have been abundantly blessed. I pray God will bless each of you.

Sincerely,
Scott

Rumors are swirling as to the impetus to the sudden announcement, and the final paragraph of the House Democratic Caucus statement below seems to lend credence to what's going around.

House Democrats Respond to Leader Inman’s Resignation

 OKLAHOMA CITY – Upon hearing House Minority Leader Scott Inman’s plans to resign from the House of Representatives, the House Democratic Caucus released the following statement:

“For the last 11 years, Minority Leader Scott Inman has been a voice for the voiceless in the Oklahoma Legislature. In an environment where big business and special interest rule, Scott has been the canary in the mine shaft by tirelessly voicing opposition to policies that prey on working class Oklahomans to the benefit of some of the wealthiest individuals in our state.

 As the leader of our caucus, Scott has encouraged us to fight for the future of Oklahoma by protecting and promoting democratic values. He has supported us when it seemed like the whole world was against not only us but the constituents we represent. He has done these things not with words but with true leadership.

 Moving forward, we echo his request to allow him and his family privacy through this difficulty period, and we simply want to thank him for the work he has done for this caucus, the Legislature, and Oklahoma.”

Another one bites the dust: State Sen. Marlatt resigns

The latest in a string of Republicans to resign in disgrace, State Sen. Bryce Marlatt stepped down today after being booked into the Oklahoma County Jail this morning for one felony count of sexual battery. He was released on bond.

The charge stems from an incident in late June, when Marlatt attempted to assault an Uber driver in Oklahoma City who was driving him to a bar. Marlatt had previously had a DUI-related charge a year or two ago, but evidently alcohol got him into more trouble again.

Marlatt had represented Senate District 27 (Panhandle and northwest corner of the state) since 2008, and was the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee before being removed after news of the incident broke in July.

Marlatt joins an illustrious "club" of legislators (all Republican) who have resigned from office in recent years due to sexual or legal misdoings:

• State Sen. Rick Brinkley resigned in August 2015 after embezzling nearly $2M to support his gambling addiction
• State Rep. Dan Kirby resigned in February 2017 after allegations he sexual harassed his assistant
• State Sen. Ralph Shortey resigned after being charged with child prostitution in March 2017
• State Sen. Kyle Loveless resigned in April over campaign ethics violations and embezzlement 

This creates the eighth empty seat in the state legislature since the 2016 election. Aside from Kirby, Shortey and Loveless mentioned above, the other vacancies are State Rep. Tom Newell (for a private sector job), State Rep. Scott Martin (for private sector job), State Rep. David Brumbaugh's sudden death, and State Sen. Dan Newberry (resignation to take a private sector job).

Newberry resigns from State Senate, creates 7th vacant legislative seat this term

Whether it's failing to oppose unconstitutional tax hikes or simply serving out their entire term in elected office, it appears that the Oklahoma Legislature is full of individuals who are unwilling to fulfill their pledge of service to the people. State Sen. Dan Newberry has submitted his irrevocable resignation from office, to "pursue a promotion in his professional career".

Newberry was re-elected to a four-year last November. Let me say that again - just seven months ago, he spent over $336,000 and asked his constituents to send him to represent them for four years in the State Senate. Voters trusted his offer, and gave him the seat.

This creates the seventh empty seat in the state legislature since the 2016 election. The other vacancies are State Rep. Tom Newell (for a private sector job), State Rep. Dan Kirby (sexual harassment allegations), State Rep. Scott Martin (for private sector job), State Sen. Ralph Shortey (child prostitution arrest), State Sen. Kyle Loveless (campaign finance violations investigation). State Rep. David Brumbaugh's sudden passing created another vacancy requiring a special election.

All have been Republicans; four in the State House, and now three in the State Senate. This is getting out of hand. I hope the State Election Board got a significant boost in funding in the recently-passed state budget since legislators themselves are causing extra expense for them.

Here's the Newberry press release:

Sen. Dan Newberry resigns Senate seat to pursue professional promotion

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, is resigning his seat to pursue a promotion in his professional career. Newberry’s resignation will be effective January 31, 2018. The governor must set a date for a special election to replace Newberry.

“It has been a true honor to serve as the senator from District 37. I want to thank my wife, my children, family and friends for their unwavering support during my service in the Senate,” Newberry said.  “Just as importantly, I want to thank the citizens of District 37 for placing your trust in me to represent you at the Capitol for nearly 10 years.

Newberry was first elected as senator from District 37 in 2008, and was re-elected in 2012 and 2016. He and his wife, Laura, have four children: Claire, Paige, Eva and Alex. Newberry is an executive at the Tulsa Teachers’ Credit Union.

During his time in the Senate, Newberry was known as a conservative champion and an advocate for small business, most recently serving as chairman of the Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee.

“This wasn’t an easy decision to make—however, Laura and I have made the difficult but necessary decision to focus on the needs of our family.  While we are optimistic about this new chapter in our lives, we are equally excited for the State of Oklahoma,” Newberry said.  “I am certain the people of District 37 will choose a wise leader to help steward this great state to a prosperous future.  I will miss serving in the senate, but will work with my successor to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted representation for the district.”

Newberry said he’d miss the many friends he made during his time in the upper chamber of the State Legislature.

“I can say without any hesitation that the men and women serving in the Oklahoma Senate – regardless of their party affiliation – are some of the most honorable and dedicated public servants who work each day to make Oklahoma an even better place. I will miss my Senate family, but will be praying and cheering them on as they continue to make Oklahoma the best place to work, live, and play.”

Newberry led recent reforms of the state’s unemployment benefits program, lowering unemployment taxes paid by Oklahoma employers. The reforms also strengthened the state’s workforce system and unemployment insurance trust fund which assisted in keeping unemployment low during the recent recession.

He has received multiple awards from Americans United for Life and Oklahomans for Life for authoring legislation which protects the sanctity of human life at all stages. He established the Gold Star Medal of Honor, which is given to the spouse or family members of an American soldier killed in action since 9/11. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau named him a member of the prestigious “100 Percent Club,” and the Oklahoma State Chamber honored him with the Guardian of Free Enterprise award for championing the economic development and growth of business in our state.

Another resignation: State Sen. Kyle Loveless steps down

State Sen. Kyle Loveless (R-OKC) abruptly resigned today, amid investigations by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and Oklahoma County District Attorney's office into possible campaign finance violations.

Loveless was first elected in 2012, and had made civil asset forfeiture reform his primary mission in recent years, getting major opposition from some in the law enforcement community.

This becomes the fifth resignation in the legislature since the 2016 general election; State Rep. Tom Newell (for a private sector job), State Rep. Dan Kirby (sexual harassment allegations), State Rep. Scott Martin (for private sector job), State Sen. Ralph Shortey (child prostitution arrest). State Rep. David Brumbaugh's sudden passing creates another vacancy requiring a special election.

State Sen. Ralph Shortey resigns

Yesterday afternoon, embattled State Sen. Ralph Shortey tendered his resignation to the Senate President Pro Tem Schulz and Governor Fallin, effective immediately. KFOR posted his resignation notice, which read:

I hereby resign effective immediately from the Senate of the State of Oklahoma.

It has been my honor to serve the constituents of the 44th Senate District since 2010.  I appreciate the service the men and women of the Oklahoma Senate provide, and I recognize the need for the business of the Senate to proceed without distraction for the remainder of the legislative session.

The Oklahoman posted a press release Shortey sent out after his resignation:

Earlier today, I submitted my resignation, effective immediately, to the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, as well as to Governor Fallin. I thank the constituents of Senate District 44 for the opportunity they provided to serve. Because I take that responsibility seriously, I recognize that the charges against me are a distraction to their interests and the remaining legislative session, which should serve all Oklahomans.  My resignation is evidence of my respect for public service and the duties of our elected officials.  I ask for the privacy of my family - my wife and four daughters - as I defend myself of these charges.

Thus ends - in shocking fashion - the political career of Ralph Shortey.

State Rep. Martin to Resign at end of Session to Lead Norman Chamber

Martin to Resign at end of Session to Lead Norman Chamber

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Scott Martin today announced that at the end of this legislative session he will resign his seat in the Legislature to lead the Norman Chamber of Commerce. At its Board meeting today, the Norman Chamber named Rep. Martin its next president and chief executive officer beginning June 1. He has submitted the appropriate paperwork to Governor Mary Fallin and Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Charles McCall, tendering his resignation from his House seat effective May 31.

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of House District 46 for the last 11 years in the Oklahoma Legislature,” said Martin, R-Norman. “Due to term limits, I knew my legislative tenure was coming to an end. As I contemplated life after the Legislature, I was certain I wanted to continue to be part of something that would have a lasting impact on my family and community. The Norman Chamber of Commerce is an organization that makes such a difference.  Therefore, when the opportunity with the chamber presented itself, I decided to do something I had not previously considered, end my term prior to its natural expiration.

“I can’t think of a better place to use my talents and energy than the Norman Chamber of Commerce.  Their mission to build economic prosperity is vital to our community and one that helps drive everything else that creates the quality of life we all desire. My legislative career has shown that I understand the importance of a thriving business community, and my commitment to that end is evident in my voting record.

"As I discussed this opportunity with the chamber search committee, I expressed my sincere desire to extend my service through this legislative session so that my constituents would continue to have their voice heard and represented until the very last vote is cast. My passion for education, public safety, transportation, and healthcare hasn’t waned, and I will fight to the bitter end to make sure my constituents have a strong and steady common-sense voice at the Capitol. It’s the least I could do for people who have entrusted me with the privilege of representing them for so many years.

"I am so excited about beginning this new chapter in my life with the chamber. My family and I are wholly invested in Norman, and I look forward to growing the chamber and advocating for business at every turn. I show up to work every day with the same goal in mind, to make a positive difference.  That goal won’t change as I transition to this next phase in my professional life, but until June 1, my focus will continue to be serving the people of House District 46."

Facing expulsion vote, Kirby resigns (for real, this time) [UPDATED]

State Rep. Dan Kirby (R-Tulsa) has released a statement saying that he will resign from office, just a few days in advance of an expected vote to expel him from the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

"I cannot, in good conscience, continue to fight against unfounded accusations and what I believe to be unreasonable committee recommendations when the end result will ultimately be that the people of House District 75 will not have a voice at the State Capitol for the next two years. The committee has ensured that this would have been a lose-lose situation for me and my district."

Legislative leadership had said that a vote to expel Kirby would be taken before any legislation would be considered. The legislative session begins Monday, so any action would happen then (after the Governor's 'State of the State') or Tuesday.

UPDATE 1

Here is Kirby's resignation letter, which raises more questions for me:

His resignation "shall become effective Wednesday, March 1st, 2017", rather than immediately, or even before the legislative session kicks off on Monday. Will the House still move to expel?

UPDATE 2

I spoke with Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols (R-OKC) about the resignation date and a vote on expulsion. While legislative leadership has not met about the issue since Kirby's resignation announcement earlier today, Rep. Echols said that if Kirby intends to still show up and participate in voting and legislative deliberations, he would expect a expulsion vote to be scheduled and taken before any major action is taken on legislation.