Charlie Laster

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Charlie Laster
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 17th district
In office 2003–2012
Preceded by	Brad Henry
Succeeded by	Ron Sharp
Personal details
Born	(1954-04-18) April 18, 1954 Shawnee, Oklahoma
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Kathy Laster
Residence	Shawnee, Oklahoma
Alma mater	Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma
Profession	attorney
Religion	Baptist

Charlie Laster is an American attorney and former Democratic member and Minority Leader of the Oklahoma Senate. Laster served as a caucus leader during a period of Oklahoma history in which the Republican Party and Democratic Party had equal representation in the Oklahoma Senate.

Early life

Laster graduated from Shawnee High School in 1972, Oklahoma State University in 1976, and received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1979. While at Oklahoma State University, Laster played competitive tennis in the Big 8 Conference.

Political career

Laster was first elected in a special election on February 11, 2003^[1] to replace the seat left vacant by Brad Henry who was elected governor in 2002. Laster's opponent, Kris Steele,^[1] later went on to be the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Laster rose to leadership within the Democratic caucus, serving as chair of the committee that vets criminal and tort reform legislation.

When Democratic Party and Republican Party attained equal membership in the Oklahoma Senate, Laster was named the Democratic Floor Leader by then President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan to serve during the 51st Legislature. In the hopes that the Democratic Party would recapture the majority of Senate seats, Laster was named President Pro Tempore-designate by the Democratic caucus. They failed to do so, losing two seats to the Republicans. Despite the poor showing of the caucus in the elections, Laster was named unanimously as the Minority Floor Leader for the 52nd Legislature in November 2008.

Election results

2008 General Election^[2]

Candidate		Votes	%
	Charlie Laster	15,806	56.55%
	Donald Rominger	12,145	43.45%

Primary Election July 27, 2004^[3]

Candidate		Votes	%
	Charlie Laster	5,713	78.31%
	Russel Bristow	1,582	21.69%

February 11, 2003 Special General Election^[1]

Candidate		Votes	%
	Charlie Laster	5,849	54.25%
	Kris Steele	4,933	45.75%

January 14, 2003 Special Primary Election^[1]

Candidate		Votes	%
	Charlie Laster	3,358	71.30%
	Greg Wilson	1,352	28.70%

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Results of 2003 Special Election, Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 29, 2013)
↑ 2008 Election Results, Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 29, 2013)
↑ 2004 Primary Results, Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 29, 2013)

External links

54th Oklahoma legislative session (2013–2015)

Oklahoma House of Representatives	Oklahoma Senate

Speaker – T.W. Shannon Speaker pro Tempore - Mike Jackson Majority Floor Leader – Dale DeWitt Minority Floor Leader – Scott Inman Republicans (Majority): 72 Democrats (Minority): 29	President of the Senate – Lt. Governor Todd Lamb President Pro Tempore – Brian Bingman Majority Floor Leader - Mike Schulz Minority Floor Leader - Andrew Rice Republicans (Majority): 36 Democrats (Minority): 12

v t e Current elected statewide political officials of Oklahoma

U.S. Senators	Jim Inhofe Tom Coburn

State government	Mary Fallin, Governor Todd Lamb, Lieutenant Governor Glenn Coffee, Secretary of State Gary Jones, State Auditor and Inspector Scott Pruitt, Attorney General Ken A. Miller, State Treasurer Janet Barresi, State School Superintendent Mark Costello, Labor Commissioner John D. Doak, Insurance Commissioner Bob Anthony, Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas, Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy, Corporation Commissioner

Senate	Brian Bingman, President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, Majority Floor Leader Sean Burrage, Democratic Leader

House	T.W. Shannon, Speaker Mike Jackson, Speaker Pro Tempore Scott Inman, Democratic Leader

Supreme Court	Steven W. Taylor, Chief Justice Tom Colbert, Vice Chief Justice Yvonne Kauger Joseph M. Watt James R. Winchester John F. Reif James E. Edmondson Doug Combs Noma Gurich

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Persondata
Name	Laster, Charlie
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	April 18, 1954
Place of birth	Shawnee, Oklahoma
Date of death
Place of death

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