Kris Steele
| Kris Steele | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Oklahoma Speaker of the House | |
|
In office 2011–2012 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Benge |
| Succeeded by | T.W. Shannon |
| Oklahoma Speaker Pro Tempore | |
|
In office 2009–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Gus Blackwell |
| Succeeded by | Jeff W. Hickman |
| Oklahoma State Representative | |
|
In office 2001–2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Weaver |
| Succeeded by | Justin Wood |
| Constituency | 26th House District |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
11 July 1973 Ardmore, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kellie Kursar |
| Residence | Shawnee, Oklahoma |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma Baptist University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Baptist |
Kris Steele (born July 11, 1973) is a United States politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma who served as state representative. Steele served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives as the Speaker of the House, a position he took over after the 2010 elections. He presided over the 53rd Oklahoma Legislature.
Steele, served as Speaker Pro Tempore, under Chris Benge. He was chosen as Speaker-designate in 2009.[1] Elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives on November 7, 2000,[2] he was term-limited out of office in 2012.
Early life and career
Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on July 11, 1973, Steele graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1992 and earned a B.A. in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1996. Since graduating from OBU, Steele has served as a Baptist minister and public school teacher.[3] Steele is married to Kellie Kursar and lives in Shawnee, Oklahoma. They have two daughters.
Political career
Steele was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives on November 7, 2000,[4] He filed five bills in the 2001 session; two became law.[5]
Steele became House Speaker Pro Tempore when Chris Benge took over as Speaker of the House following Lance Cargill's resignation in January 2008.[6][7]
The Shawnee lawmaker had several pieces of legislation signed into law from the 2009 session, including the "Health Care for Oklahomans Act" and "The Silver Alert Act".[8]
Steele introduced a 2012 proposal to reject a pay raise for statewide officials and judges.[9][10]
Steele presided over the 53rd Oklahoma Legislature and under his tenure oversaw the enactment of tort reform, the elimination of social promotion in public school after the third grade, the elimination of the ability of teachers to appeal termination to district courts as trial de novo, corrections reform that expanded the eligibility of low-risk, nonviolent inmates for community sentencing and electronic monitoring programs, pension reform, agency consolidation, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, and openly carry.[11]
District
House District 26 encompasses a small northern portion of Pottawatomie County that includes the city of Shawnee.[12]
Election history
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Steele | Republican Party | 5,315 | 63.47% | ||
| Joe Freeman | Democratic Party | 3,059 | 36.53% | ||
| Source:[13] | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Steele | Republican Party | 8,608 | 68.71% | ||
| Pat Bateman | Democratic Party | 3,920 | 31.29% | ||
| Source:[14] | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Steele | Republican Party | 6,162 | 54.60% | ||
| Terry LaValley | Democratic Party | 5,123 | 45.40% | ||
| Source:[15] | |||||
Sources
- ↑ Harrison, Caitlin. "Representative appointed as new Oklahoma House Speaker," OU Daily, October 20, 2009 (accessed February 3, 2010).
- ↑ 2000 Election Results, Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed February 3, 2010).
- ↑ Kris Steele Complete Bio, Project Vote Smart (accessed February 3, 2010).
- ↑ 2000 Election Results, Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed February 3, 2010).
- ↑ Bill Tracking Oklahoma House of Representatives (accessed February 3, 2010)
- ↑ Hinton, Mick. "House Republicans choose Benge to become speaker designate", Tulsa World, February 4, 2008.
- ↑ Hinton, Mick "House Speaker Lance Cargill steps down after not paying taxes", Tulsa World, January 28, 2008.
- ↑ Bill Tracking, Oklahoma House of Representatives (accessed February 3, 2010)
- ↑ McNutt, Michael. Pay-raise rejection proposal gains approval from Oklahoma House, Tulsa World. Published February 16, 2012.
- ↑ Associated Press. House panel OKs bill to quash Oklahoma pay hikes, Tulsa World. February 15, 2012.
- ↑ House Journals, 2011 and 2012, Oklahoma House of Representatives (accessed June 13, 2013)
- ↑ House Districts, Congressional and Other Maps, Oklahoma House of Representatives. 10-14-09
- ↑ 2006 Election Results, Oklahoma State Election Board. 10-14-09
- ↑ 2004 Election Results, Oklahoma State Election Board. 10-14-09
- ↑ 2000 Election Results, Oklahoma State Election Board. 10-14-09