Brad Henry
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| Brad Henry | |
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26th Governor of Oklahoma
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2003 |
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| Lieutenant | Mary Fallin (2003-2007) Jari Askins (2007-present) |
| Preceded by | Frank Keating |
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| Born | July 10, 1963 Shawnee, Oklahoma |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kimberly Ann Henry |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Oklahoma |
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Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry (born July 10, 1963) is the Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002. Henry faced Republican US Representative Ernest Istook for re-election on November 7, 2006, and won with 66% of the vote.[1]
Henry is the third governor and second Democrat in Oklahoma history to hold two consecutive terms, after Democrat George Nigh and Republican Frank Keating. As a tax-cutting governor, who signed into law parental notification laws limiting abortion, Henry has sought to appeal to Republicans, Democrats and Independents across party lines.
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[edit] Early life and education
A third generation Oklahoman, Henry was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the son of prominent attorney, State Representative and Judge Charles Henry. He attended public schools and graduated from Shawnee High School. After graduating, Henry attended the University of Oklahoma as a President's Leadership Scholar and earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1985. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. In 1988, he was awarded his law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Law Review. He served in the Oklahoma State Senate from 1992 until he became Governor.
[edit] 2002 gubernatorial election
In the 2002 election for governor, Henry defeated former Republican Congressman Steve Largent, an NFL Hall of Famer, by just over one-half of one percent in a race that also included Independent candidate Gary Richardson, a retired Federal Prosecutor. Henry received 448,143 votes (43.27%) to Largent's 441,277 votes (42.61%). Richardson, a former Democratic candidate, was the second most successful third-party gubernatorial candidate in the nation in that election, receiving 146,200 votes (14%). [1]
Henry ran an underdog campaign of "barnstorming" rural areas, and stopping at Wal-Mart stores in an RV with supporters. Henry was endorsed by legendary football Coach Barry Switzer, who has strong popularity in the Sooner State and accompanied Henry to many campaign events.
On the policy side of the campaign, Henry ran on the platform of the "education governor." He argued for increasing teachers' salaries and funding for higher education in the state by approving a state lottery to raise money. Henry's candidacy received a last minute boost against Largent, due to a ballot initiative banning cockfighting, which was unpopular in rural areas. Henry played neutral on the issue through most of the race as the proposed ban was popular in urban areas. Henry would secure support from pro-cockfighting forces in rural areas.
[edit] Governorship
Henry was officially sworn in as Oklahoma's 26th Governor on January 13, 2003, with the oath of office being administered by his cousin, federal appeals court judge Robert Harlan Henry. As Governor, he is a member of the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association. He is the current president of the Council of State Governments.
Henry made national headlines by giving sanctuary from the redistricting warrant to Texas Democrats in that state's legislature by allowing them to travel across state lines into Oklahoma en masse to deny a quorum for voting on a redistricting plan. "Our position is that, without a warrant signed by a judge, we have no authority. Even under those circumstances, we are hesitant to get pulled into a Texas political battle. If we're going to do battle with Texas, we prefer that it be on the football field," Henry said through his spokesman.
[edit] Administration and Cabinet
| OFFICE | NAME | TERM |
| Governor | Brad Henry | 2003– |
| Lieutenant Governor | Mary Fallin | 2003–2007 |
| Jari Askins | 2007– | |
| Secretary of State | M. Susan Savage | 2003– |
| Attorney General | Drew Edmondson | 2003– |
| State Auditor and Inspector | Jeff McMahan | 2003– |
| State Treasurer | Robert Butkin | 2003–2005 |
| Scott Meacham | 2005– | |
| Insurance Commissioner | Carroll Fisher | 2003–2005 |
| Kim Holland | 2005– | |
| Labor Commissioner | Brenda Reneau | 2003–2007 |
| Lloyd Fields | 2007– | |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | Sandy Garrett | 2003– |
| Agriculture | Terry Peach | 2003– |
| Commerce & Tourism | Kathy Taylor | 2003–2006 |
| Education | vacant | |
| Energy | David Fleischaker | 2003– |
| Environment | Miles Tolbert | 2003– |
| Finance & Revenue | Scott Meacham | 2005– |
| Health | Tom Adelson | 2003–2004 |
| Terry Cline | 2004– | |
| Human Resources & Administration | Oscar B. Jackson Jr. | 2003– |
| Human Services | Howard Hendrick | 2003– |
| Military | Harry M. Wyatt III | 2003– |
| Safety & Security | Kevin Ward | 2004– |
| Science & Technology | Joseph W. Alexander | 2004– |
| Transportation | Phil Tomlinson | 2003– |
| Veterans Affairs | Norman Lamb | 2003– |
[edit] Supreme Court appointments
Governor Henry appointed the following Justices to the Oklahoma Supreme Court:
- James E. Edmondson – 2003
- Steven W. Taylor – 2004
- Tom Colbert – 2004, making Henry the first governor to appoint an African American justice to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
- John F. Reif – 2007
[edit] 2006 campaign
In the Democratic Party primary election on July 25, 2006, Henry received 218,712 votes, 86% of the vote. [2]
In the November 7 general election, Henry faced Fifth District U.S. Congressman Republican Ernest Istook and won with 66% of the vote.[2] He won with a higher total than any gubernatorial candidate in almost fifty years. [3]
[edit] Future campaigns
On November 30, 2006, Governor Henry stated that he does not intend to run for the United States Senate in 2008 or 2010. There had been some speculation that Henry would face incumbent Senators Jim Inhofe or Tom Coburn when they face reelection. Brad Henry has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic Presidential Race.
[edit] Election Results
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Henry | Democratic Party | 448,143 | 43.27% | ||
| Steve Largent | Republican Party | 441,277 | 42.61% | ||
| Gary Richardson | Independent | 146,200 | 14.12% | ||
| Total | 1,035,620 | 100.0% | |||
| Source: 2002 Election Results | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
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| Brad Henry (Incumbent) | Democratic Party | 616,033 | 66.50% | ||
| Ernest Istook | Republican Party | 310,273 | 33.50% | ||
| Total | 926,306 | 100.0% | |||
| Source: 2006 Election Results | |||||
[edit] External links
- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry official state site
- National Governors Association - Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry biography
- Follow the Money - Brad Henry 2006 campaign contributions
- On the Issues - Brad Henry issue positions and quotes
- Project Vote Smart - Governor Brad Henry (OK) profile
[edit] References
| Preceded by Frank Keating (R) |
Governor of Oklahoma 2003 – present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frank Keating (R) |
Governor of Oklahoma January 13, 2003 - present |
Incumbent |
| Order of precedence in the United States of America | ||
| Preceded by Dick Cheney Vice President |
United States order of precedence (while in Oklahoma) as of 2007 |
Succeeded by Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House |
| Preceded by Jon Huntsman, Jr. Governor of Utah |
United States order of precedence (while outside Oklahoma) as of 2007 |
Succeeded by Bill Richardson Governor of New Mexico |
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