Former State Rep. Avery Frix announces bid for State Senate District 9

At an event in Fort Gibson this evening, former State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) announced his candidacy for Senate District 9, currently held by retiring State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton (R-Muskogee). So far, he is the first candidate to start campaigning for this open seat.

Frix previously served in the Oklahoma State House for three terms (from 2016 to 2022), representing House District 13, before running for Congress and losing to now-Congressman Josh Brecheen in the Republican runoff election (he loaned his campaign $255,000 in that failed effort).

State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton announces he will not seek reelection

State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton (R-Muskogee) has announced that he will not be seeking a third and final term in the State Senate. He will serve out the rest of his term, which ends in November.

State Sen. Pemberton appointed to chair Senate's Retirement & Insurance Committee

Senate Pro Tem Treat Appoints Sen. Pemberton as Retirement and Insurance Chairman

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today announced the appointment of Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, as the chairman of the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee.

“Sen. Pemberton has a wealth of knowledge and proven background in a number of areas during his time in the Senate,” Pro Tem Treat said. “He is an excellent leader who continues to perform well as a member of our caucus leadership team. Sen. Pemberton is informed and listens to all opinions before making a decision. For these reasons and others is why I think he will make an exceptional chairman of this committee. I appreciate him for accepting this new role in addition to his many others.”

Former State Sen. Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee) dies

From the Muskogee Phoenix:

Funeral arrangements for former State Senator Earl Garrison are being planned. Garrison, 78, a former Democratic member of the Oklahoma State Senate, died Sunday.

Garrison represented District 9 from 2004 to 2016. He also served as assistant minority leader. Services are pending with Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematory.

Oklahoma Republicans make big legislative gains

Today's election has handed Oklahoma Republicans some big gains in the state legislature.

STATE SENATE: +3
All three Democrat seats were taken by the GOP - SD1 (northeast corner), SD9 (Muskogee and Tahlequah), and SD13 (Ada area). All Republican seats were held. The State Senate is now 42 Republicans, 6 Democrats.

Senate Democrats can trade in the caucus van and now get a car.

STATE HOUSE: +4
Republicans picked up HD3, HD8, HD12, HD13, HD16, and HD19. Democrats picked up HD87 and HD93. The State House is now 75 Republicans, 26 Democrats.

Muskogee County: trouble for Democrats, optimism for GOP

While Muskogee County tilts heavily Democratic in voter registration, campaign finance records show the local Democratic Party and their legislative candidates in deep trouble, while the Republican Party is on solid ground and set to make big gains.

As of April 2016, Democrats beat Republicans in Muskogee County voter registration 58.17%  to 28.98% -- a difference of 29.19%. While still a big lead, that's a far cry from 2006, when Democrats comprised 67.4% and Republicans were at 22.26% -- a difference of 45.14%. The Democratic decline has been less steep in Muskogee County than, say, Bryan County, but it's very real nonetheless.

In 2006, Republicans won House District 14 for the first time ever, and in 2014 Republicans won their first-ever County Commission seat. This election could set records for the Muskogee County Republicans. Let's look at some campaign finance figures.

House District 14 - Republican-held since 2006 (map)
Rep. George Faught (R) has raised $14,850.00 this cycle, and has $46,009.10 on hand. His Democratic challenger Lee Ann Langston has raised just $1,200.00 and has a pitiful $550.00 on hand.

House District 13 - open Democrat-held seat (map)
Victorious in a three-way primary, Republican Avery Frix has raised a total of $55,858.16 so far, and has $10,656.55 on hand. Democrat candidate Wayne Herriman raised $10,415.00 and has $5,000.21 on hand. Republicans held this seat from 2000 to 2004, but until this election failed to field any more serious candidates.

Senate District 9 - open Democratic-held seat (map)
Winner of a competitive primary contest, Republican Dewayne Pemberton has raised $38,255.00 and has $11,116.92 on hand. Meanwhile, Democrat Jack Reavis has raised $12,632.34 and has a mere $849.87 on hand. To my knowledge, no Republican has ever held this seat.

Looking at County Party structure is even more dramatic. The Muskogee County Republican Party raised $17,746.00 from January 1st through June 30th, and has $23,266.32 cash-on-hand with which to assist their candidates and promote the party. The Muskogee County Democratic Party hasn't filed an ethics report since July 2015, but at that point they had only raised $357.06 on the year and had $488.51 in the bank.

This is looking to be a great year for the Muskogee County Republicans.

Gary Jones endorses Pemberton for SD9

State Auditor Gary Jones has endorsed Senate District 9 candidate Dewayne Pemberton.

"State Auditor Gary Jones, Oklahoma's no nonsense watchdog, supports Dewayne Pemberton for State Senator. We need more citizen legislators that bring common sense and life experiences to the Oklahoma State Senate." - Gary Jones, State Auditor


For recent news on the SD9 race, click here.

Faught endorses Pemberton in SD9, Stevens in HD13

In the race for House District 13 (map), State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee) has endorsed Al Stevens in the Republican primary:

"It is my privilege to endorse Al Stevens for State Representative for House District 13. I have known Al for many years in both a personal and professional level. Al has vast business experience working in the community through his employment with OG&E and his years of service on numerous boards and committees in our local community. Al brings both the experience and common sense ideas that are needed in promoting economic development and accountability to our state government. He and his wife of more than 43 years, Sandy, a former public school teacher, create a great partnership and will serve this community well. Join with me and support a qualified leader - Al Stevens for State Representative in House District 13."

Stevens is facing off against Republicans Avery Frix and Leah Todd in the primary on Tuesday. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Wayne Herriman in the general election. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jerry McPeak (D-Warner), who is term-limited.

In the race for Senate District 9 (map), State Rep. George Faught has endorsed Dewayne Pemberton in the Republican primary:

"It is an honor for me to endorse Dewayne Pemberton for State Senate District 9. Dewayne has unique qualifications that make him the right choice to be your next Senator. With more than 30 years experience in Education as a former teacher, coach and high school administrator, Dewayne knows what needs to be done to help our schools succeed. Our next Senator needs to have the life experience and wisdom that comes with age, along with the proven conservative background to solve the many tough decisions facing Oklahoma. Dewayne will fight for the values of traditional marriage and protecting the unborn and he will be a champion of Education. He understands the role of government and will work to unleash the free enterprise system to create quality jobs and a prosperous economy. It is without hesitation that today I ask you to join me in electing Dewayne Pemberton as our next State Senator."

Pemberton is aiming to beat John Tyler Hammons in the GOP primary. The Republican nominee will face whichever of the three Democrat candidates emerge from their primary: Stephen Highers, Jack Reavis, or John Uzzo. This seat is currently held by Sen. Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee), who is also term-limited.

Bob Coburn, Arthur Hulbert endorse Hammons for SD9

John Tyler Hammons, former mayor of Muskogee and a Republican candidate for Senate District 9, has released endorsements from Muskogee Mayor Bob Coburn and former HD14 representative Arthur Hulbert.

Bob Coburn:

"John Tyler Hammons and I were competitors but then we became friends. We've worked together to improve our community. It's a testament to his faith, his character, and his ability to work together to bring about positive change. He's a hard worker, diligent, and smart. I am pleased to endorse John Tyler Hammons to be our next State Senator.




Arthur Hulbert: 

"John Tyler Hammons is a conservative Christian who shares our values and who works hard to defend them. He's the kind of young leader who does what is right even when nobody is looking. I got to know him when I was State Representative and I am pleased to endorse him to be our next State Senator."



Hammons is facing Dewayne Pemberton in the June 28th Republican primary for Senate District 9. Pemberton recently retired from a 36-year career in public education, which included being principal at both Hilldale High School and Muskogee High School.

Senate District 9 covers north and east portions of Muskogee County (excluding the Fort Gibson area) and southeast and central portions of Cherokee County. The heavily-Democratic seat is currently held by Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee), who is term-limited. Two Democrats are running - Tahlequah city councilor Stephen Highers and former HD14 candidate Jack Reavis.

Republican John Tyler Hammons announces for SD9

Former Muskogee mayor John Tyler Hammons has thrown his hat in the ring for the GOP nomination in Senate District 9. He joins fellow Republican candidate Dewayne Pemberton, and Democratic candidate Jack Reavis. Reavis has twice run unsuccessfully for House District 14, while Pemberton is making his first run for office.

Hammons made the announcement official with a Facebook post this afternoon:

Hammons was elected mayor of Muskogee in 2008 at the age of eighteen, making him at the time the youngest mayor in the nation, and was reelected in 2010. In 2012, he left office to pursue a law degree. He passed the bar over the summer, and currently works as an assistant attorney general of the Cherokee Nation.

Senate District 9 covers portions of Muskogee and Cherokee counties (including the cities of Muskogee and Tahlequah), and is currently held by Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee), who is term-limited.

Republican Dewayne Pemberton announces for SD9

Retired Admin at Muskogee Schools Dewayne Pemberton

Announces for State Senate District 9

Muskogee, OK – Dewayne Pemberton has officially announced his candidacy for Oklahoma State Senate District 9. The seat, currently held by Earl Garrison, is term limited in 2016. Pemberton is a strict constitutionalist of one who believes in upholding family values, personal responsibility, and he will stand strong to protect our personal liberties. With nearly a 26 year leadership experience in public education from serving as an Athletic Director to High School Principal at both Hilldale & Muskogee Public Schools, Mr. Pemberton will be effective on day one at the Oklahoma State Capitol to be a strong conservative voice at the table for District 9.

Dewayne Pemberton and his wife Claire Pemberton of 36 years have three grown children who have all served in the US Army. Pemberton recently retired from his 36th year in public education – a lifetime commitment to education and of leading & inspiring thousands of students, faculty members, and the local communities.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Social Studies and Health/Physical Education from University of Central Arkansas in Conway Arkansas where he graduated Cum Laude. Pemberton has completed masters work at the University of Arkansas Little Rock and has a Master’s in Education Administration from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He has a Principal and Superintendent Specialist certification from Oklahoma State University Tulsa. He spent the first 10 years in education as a social studies teacher, football, wrestling and track coach with Carlisle, Jay and Muskogee Public Schools. He was assistant head coach/defensive coordinator of the 1986 Muskogee High School State Football Championship team.

Pemberton states, “I believe in a limited government – one that encourages economic prosperity by allowing the private sector to freely work. I believe the free enterprise system is the single most effective system of economics in the history of the world. I also believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. We should fight to protect the life of the unborn except in rare cases of saving the life of the mother. Abortion must end. We should be fully aware of our states’ rights granted to us by the US Constitution. I will be the strong conservative voice of District 9 and will carry that voice of the district to the Oklahoma State Capitol and I would like to thank Senator Garrison for his years of service to our community.”

Dewayne Pemberton is a Republican, member of the NRA, the Chamber of Commerce, and is actively involved within the local GOP of Muskogee. The Primary election for Oklahoma Senate District 9 which covers Muskogee, Talequah, and surrounding areas will be held in June of 2016. For more information, please visit PembertonForSenate.com or call Dewayne directly at 918-687-0063.