Mary Fallin

Mary Fallin
27th Governor of Oklahoma
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 10, 2011
Lieutenant Todd Lamb
Preceded by Brad Henry
Chairperson of the National Governors Association
In office
August 4, 2013 – July 13, 2014
Preceded by Jack Markell
Succeeded by John Hickenlooper
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 5th district
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Ernest Istook
Succeeded by James Lankford
14th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
In office
January 9, 1995 – January 2, 2007
Governor Frank Keating
Brad Henry
Preceded by Jack Mildren
Succeeded by Jari Askins
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 85th district
In office
1990–1995
Preceded by Michael James Hunter
Succeeded by Odilia Dank
Personal details
Born Mary Copeland
December 9, 1954
Warrensburg, Missouri, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Joseph Fallin (1984–1998)
Wade Christensen (2009–present)
Residence Governor's Mansion
Alma mater Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
Religion Congregationalism
Signature
Website Government website
Campaign website

Mary Fallin (born December 9, 1954) is an American politician who is the 27th and current governor of Oklahoma. A member of the Republican Party, Fallin was elected governor in 2010.

Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, Fallin is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Beginning her career working for multiple Oklahoma state government agencies after college, Fallin entered the private sector in 1983, becoming a regional hotel manager and a real estate broker. Entering a career in politics, Fallin was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1990. She served two terms in the Oklahoma House, representing a district in Oklahoma City, from 1990 to 1995. In 1994, Fallin was elected to serve as the 14th lieutenant governor of Oklahoma; being elected to a total of three terms, she served under two different governors from 1995 to 2007. After seven term Republican incumbent Ernest Istook announced that he would retire from his seat to run for governor, Fallin declared her candidacy for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district, where she was elected to two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.

In September 2009, Fallin announced her intentions to run for the Republican nomination for governor of Oklahoma. She defeated three other opponents with 54% of the vote in the Republican primary and went on to defeat Democratic nominee, Lieutenant governor Jari Askins, with 60% of the vote in the general election. She was sworn into office of January 10, 2011.

Fallin was the second woman elected to the United States Congress from Oklahoma and the first since 1921 when Alice Mary Robertson was elected to Congress and served for one term from 1921 to 1923. She was also the first Republican and first woman to serve as Oklahoma's lieutenant governor, as well as the first woman to serve as governor in Oklahoma's state history.

Fallin's fourth year as governor of Oklahoma has been notable because of serious controversy surrounding her support for the execution of Clayton Lockett which was botched in April 2014.

Early life, education, and early career

Fallin was born Mary Copeland in Warrensburg, Missouri, the daughter of Mary Jo (née Duggan) and Joseph Newton Copeland.[1] Her mother and father both served terms as mayor of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, where she was raised. They were both members of the Democratic Party of Oklahoma. She too was a Democrat until she was 21, when she switched to the Republican Party of Oklahoma and became active with the Young Republicans. She graduated from Tecumseh High School and attended Oklahoma Baptist University, in Shawnee. Fallin holds a bachelor of science degree in human and environmental sciences, and family relations and child development from Oklahoma State University (1977)..

After college, she worked for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, and the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management. In 1983, she went to the private sector as a hotel manager for Lexington Hotel and Suites. She was also a commercial real estate broker.[2]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Elections

Fallin decided to run for the 85th district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives after incumbent Mike Hunter announced his retirement in December 1989. She won the Republican primary in August and the general election in November. In 1992, she won re-election to a second term unopposed.[3]

Tenure

She represented Oklahoma City in the House. She authored 16 bills that became law. One notable bill was the Stalker Law for Oklahoma. When it became law, Oklahoma was only the second state, after California, to pass such legislation.

She was active with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), having been recognized by ALEC as Legislator of the Year in 1993. Also that year she was named Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business. According to the Almanac of American Politics, she "championed victims’ rights and health care reform."[4]

Lieutenant Governor (1995–2007)

Elections

After two terms in the House, she decided to run for lieutenant governor of Oklahoma. Ultimately she ran in three elections that year, all of which were against other women, and raised about $200,000. Two other candidates ran in the Republican primary. Terry Neese ranked first with 38% of the vote, but failed to reach the 50% threshold needed to win outright. Fallin ranked second with 36% of the vote, qualifying for the run-off election.[5] She defeated Neese in the run-off primary election 53%–47%.[6] She defeated Democrat Nance Diamond 50%–44%. She did well in the northwest region, the Oklahoma Pandhandle, and her home in Oklahoma County. [7]

She won re-election to a second term in 1998, defeating Jack Morgan 68%–32%. She won all but nine counties, all of which in the far eastern part of the state.[8] She won re-election to a third term in 2002, defeating Democrat State Representative Laura Boyd 57%-39%, dominating the eastern part of the state.[9]

Tenure

In 1995, Fallin became Oklahoma’s first woman and first Republican to be elected to the position. As lieutenant governor, Fallin served as president of the Oklahoma Senate and on ten boards and commissions. In the Cabinet-level position of small business advocate during the Keating administration, Fallin fought the rising cost of health insurance and excessive government regulation. Fallin was also instrumental in initiating several economic development events including the first-ever Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo, Small Business Day, and Telecommunications Day. She also hosted the Lieutenant Governor’s Invitational Turkey Hunt.

In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, she formed a task force to rebuild the childcare center lost in the disaster. Fallin also initiated Project Homesafe, a gun safety program that has distributed more than 80,000 free cable gun locks to Oklahomans.

U.S. House of Representatives (2007–2011)

Elections

2006

Fallin decided not to seek re-election to a fourth term as lieutenant governor. Instead, she decided to run in Oklahoma's 5th congressional district, after incumbent Republican congressman Ernest Istook decided to run for governor of Oklahoma. Fallin also considered running for governor and challenge incumbent Democrat Brad Henry. She said I was not going to run against an incumbent governor. Governor Henry had and was and is popular and I knew what the poll numbers were. I didn’t always agree with him on all the issues but that’s why we’re in different political parties. There were things that I would have done differently."[2] Istook went on to lose by a landslide of 33 percentage points.[10] The July 25 Republican primary for the 5th district featured six candidates. She was the top vote-getter, receiving 35% of the vote. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett finished second with 24% of the vote.[11][12] The contest between her and Cornett was about fundraising. They had few differences on the issues, but Fallin had a big cash advantage. On August 22, 2006, she defeated Cornett in the run-off primary election, 63%–37%.[13]

Fallin won the general election on November 7, defeating Democrat Paul David Hunter 60%–40%.[14][15]

2008

Fallin easily won re-election in 2008, defeating Democrat Steve Perry 66%–34%.[16]

Tenure

She is the first woman elected to Congress from Oklahoma since 1921. Alice Mary Robertson was the first woman to be elected to U.S. Congress from Oklahoma. She resigned her office on January 2, 2007 in order to be sworn into Congress on January 4, 2007. Lieutenant Governor-elect Jari Askins was appointed by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry to fill the remaining days of Fallin's term.

The 5th district included just three counties: Oklahoma, Pottawatomie, and Seminole. In addition to her committee assignments, she served on the Executive Committee of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Small Business Chair on the Republican Policy Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Congressional Women’s Caucus.

In June 2007, she passed her first bill: a revamping of federal grants for women’s business centers. She joined a group of 38 Republicans who opposed an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In July 2008, she traveled to Alaska to help make the case for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).[4]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

2010 gubernatorial election

Incumbent Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry was easily re-elected in 2006. In 2008, Republicans made gains in the state legislature and took control of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate for the first time in Oklahoma history. Governor Henry was unable to seek reelection to a third consecutive four-year term, because of term limits placed on him by the Oklahoma Constitution.

By September 2009, Fallin, along with four other candidates had announced their intentions to run for governor to succeed Henry. Along with Fallin they were:

Fallin won the Republican nomination with 136,460 votes and defeated her nearest challenger, State Senator Randy Brogdon, who won 98,159 votes. Former Alaska governor and 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin endorsed Fallin in the primary. On November 2, 2010, Fallin defeated Democratic nominee Jari Askins 60% to 39%. She is the first female governor of Oklahoma.

Governor of Oklahoma (2011–present)

Transition

On election night, after it became apparent that Fallin had won the election, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Kevin Ward dispatched Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers to begin providing security and protection to her. As the governor-elect, the Oklahoma Office of State Finance made available to her transition funding and other government services. The Transition established GovernorelectMaryFallin.org as the official website of the Transition and established MaryFallinInuagural.org as the official website of Fallin's Inauguration.

Fallin began the transition on November 3 by holding a joint press conference with outgoing governor Brad Henry.[17] In the press conference, Governor Henry announced that he would make available to Fallin office space in the Oklahoma State Capitol for her to use as the headquarters for her transition team.

Fallin named Devon Energy Chairman and CEO Larry Nichols as the Chairman of her Transition Team. She also named (then) outgoing Oklahoma Senate President pro tempore Glenn Coffee (R-Tulsa) as the Transition's Co-Chairman. Fallin named Lieutenant Governor-elect Todd Lamb as her Administration's Small Business Advocate, a position Fallin herself once held under former governor Frank Keating. She also established her Governor's Taskforce on Economic Development to advise her on matter related to the economy. Members of that task force include BancFirst CEO David Rainbolt and former Walters Administration Secretary of Agriculture Gary Sherrer. Former Keating Administration Secretary of Energy Robert J. Sullivan, Jr. serves as the director of the Taskforce as the Special Advisor to the Governor on Economic Development.[18]

First year

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the University Center in Ponca City, Oklahoma on July 12, 2011

Fallin assumed office as governor on January 10, 2011. Before the end of January, Fallin had named the four remaining cabinet secretaries in her administration. She named the following:

In late January, following a heated Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, Governor Fallin proposed major changes to the Oklahoma State Department of Education's organization and structure. The controversy arose over the Board of Education rejecting three senior staff members of Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi. Under Fallin's proposed changes, the Board would be stripped of its administrative powers and those powers would be transferred solely to the state superintendent, thus reducing the board to more of an advisory committee to the superintendent as opposed to a government body of the department.[19]

On February 7, Governor Fallin addressed the Oklahoma Legislature in her first State of the State Address. In her address, Fallin called for streamlining and modernizing the State government, reforming education, and reducing health care costs in the State. She also presented her 2012 Oklahoma state budget spending request for considering by the legislature. She proposed to make up the $400 million budget deficit through a combination of a 5% across-the-board agency budget cuts, increased tax enforcement, state agency consolidations, and government modernization to overcome the budget shortfall.

Governor Mary Fallin was criticized for bias after ordering state-owned National Guard facilities to deny spousal benefits to all same-sex couples.[20]

FALLIN: Oklahoma law is clear. The state of Oklahoma does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same-sex couples. The decision reached today allows the National Guard to obey Oklahoma law without violating federal rules or policies. It protects the integrity of our state constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cannot simply ignore our laws or the will of the people.[21]

In response, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said that this violates the states' obligations under federal law.

HAGEL: All spouses of service members are entitled to DoD ID cards, and the benefits that come with them. But several states today are refusing to issue these IDs to same-sex spouses at National Guard facilities. Not only does this violate the states’ obligations under federal law, but their actions have created hardship and inequality by forcing couples to travel long distances to federal military bases to obtain the ID cards they’re entitled to.[22]

Botched lethal injection controversy

Under Governor Mary Fallin's watch, Oklahoma has pushed for increased use of lethal injection as a means of ending life, while refusing to release details of the new chemical concoctions used in these executions following chemical company Hospira's decision to stop producing sodium thiopental, which had previously been widely used. Fallin pushed strongly for the execution of convicted murderer Clayton Lockett to proceed in spite of the lack of tested drugs to use for lethal injection. When the Oklahoma State Supreme Court granted a stay of execution, Fallin immediately overruled it, leading some political commentators to raise the possibility of a constitutional crisis surrounding the separation of powers. At the same time, a member of the Oklahoma legislature moved to impeach the seven justices on the Supreme Court who had granted the stay.[23][24] Lockett's execution was attempted on April 29, 2014, and was abandoned when he could not be sedated and was left writhing in pain. After Lockett died 43 minutes later of a heart attack, Governor Mary Fallin appointed a member of her own staff to lead the investigation into the botched execution.[25]

Personal life

Divorce

In early December 1998, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol bodyguard for Lt. Gov. Fallin resigned after admitting to unprofessional conduct. The Fallins had filed for divorce the previous week, amid allegations by her estranged husband that she had an affair with a bodyguard.[26][27]

Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks issued a statement saying that rumors had surfaced in early September about alleged unprofessional conduct between a member of the executive security detail and the lieutenant governor. According to Ricks, the trooper first denied the allegations, but, when questioned again in October, admitted to the improprieties. He was allowed to resign, but his admission did not say if any sexual activity was involved.[28]

Family

Fallin has two children from her first marriage, Christina Fallin and Price Fallin. She married Wade Christensen in November 2009.[29][30]

Honors

Fallin has been honored with numerous awards including Women in Communications' Woman in the News Award, induction into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, Clarence E. Page Award, induction into the Oklahoma Aviation Hall of Fame, 1998 Woman of the Year in Government and 1993 Legislator of the Year.

Media

In August 2013, Newsmax magazine named Fallin among the "25 most influential women in the GOP".[31]

Election history

November 3, 1998, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Jack Morgan Democratic Party 281,379 32.45%
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 585,712 67.55%
Total 867,091 100.0%
Source: 1998 Election Results
November 5, 2002, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Laura Boyd Democratic Party 400,511 38.95%
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 584,990 56.89%
  E.Z. Million Independent 11,802 1.15%
  Billy Maguire Independent 31,053 3.01%
Total 1,028,356 100.0%
Source: 2002 Election Results
July 25, 2006 Republican primary results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 16,691 34.57%
  Mick Cornett Republican Party 11,718 24.27%
  Denise Bode Republican Party 9,139 18.93%
  Kevin Calvey Republican Party 4,870 10.09%
  Fred Morgan Republican Party 4,493 9.3%
  Johnny B. Roy Republican Party 1,376 2.85%
Total 48,267 100.0%
Source: 2006 primary results
August 24, 2006, Republican primary run-off results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 26,748 63.06%
  Mick Cornett Republican Party 15,669 36.94%
Total 42,417 100.0%
Source: 2006 run-off results
November 7, 2006, U.S. Representative, Oklahoma's 5th District election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  David Hunter Democratic Party 67,293 37.30%
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 108,936 60.38%
  Matthew Woodson Independent 4,196 2.32%
Total 180,425 100.0%
Source: 2006 Election Results
November 4, 2008, U.S. Representative, Oklahoma's 5th District election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Steven L. Perry Democratic Party 88,996 34.11%
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 171,925 65.89%
Total 260,921 100.0%
Source: 2008 Election Results
July 27, 2010 Governor of Oklahoma Republican primary results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 136,477 54.79%
  Randy Brogdon Republican Party 98,170 39.41%
  Robert Hubbard Republican Party 8,132 3.26%
  Roger Jackson Republican Party 6,290 2.53%
Total 249,069 100.0%
Source: 2010 primary results
November 2, 2010, Governor of Oklahoma election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Jari Askins Democratic Party 409,261 39.55%
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 625,506 60.45%
Total 1,034,767 100.0%
Source: 2010 Election Results

November 4, 2014, Governor of Oklahoma election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Joe Dorman Democratic Party 338,239 41.0%
  Mary Fallin Republican Party 460,298 55.8%
  Kimberly Wallis Independent 17,169 2.1%
  Richard Prawdzienski Independent 9,125 1.1%
Total 824,831 100.0%
Source: 2014 |-

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mary Fallin ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Oral history interview with Mary Fallin". Dc.library.okstate.edu. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK State House 085 Race – Nov 03, 1992". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Login". Nationaljournal.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK Lt. Governor – R Primary Race – Aug 23, 1994". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK Lt. Governor – R Runoff Race – Sep 20, 1994". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK Lt. Governor Race – Nov 08, 1994". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK Lt. Governor Race – Nov 03, 1998". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK Lt. Governor Race – Nov 05, 2002". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK Governor Race – Nov 07, 2006". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK District 5 – R Primary Race – Jul 25, 2006". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Primary Election". ok.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. July 26, 2006. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Runoff Primary Election". ok.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. August 22, 2006. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK – District 05 Race – Nov 07, 2006". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  15. ↑ "General Election". ok.gob. Oklahoma State Election Board. November 7, 2006. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Our Campaigns – OK – District 05 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  17. ↑ Fallin prepares to Oklahoma's governor, The Oklahoman, Michael McNutt, 11-3-10
  18. ↑ Fallin Transition Team, Office of Governor-elect Mary Fallin, 11-30-10
  19. ↑ Governor Fallin Issues Statement on Obstructionist Tactics of State Board of Education, Office of Governor Fallin, January 27, 2011
  20. ↑ "Oklahoma National Guard Acts on Same Sex Benefits: New Policy Protects Oklahoma Constitution and Oklahoma Laws". OK.gov. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Oklahoma Drops National Guard Benefits For All Couples To Avoid Serving Same-Sex Couples". ThinkProgress. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  22. ↑ NewsRadio KRMG, "Fallin: OK will no longer process benefits for National Guard couples", November 20, 2013, Retrieved November 23, 2013
  23. ↑ "Mary Fallin is responsible for Clayton Lockett’s botched execution: The Oklahoma governor wanted his death.". Slate Magazine. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  24. ↑ Fretland, Katie (2014-04-23). "Oklahoma court lifts stay of executions, heading off confrontation with governor". The Guardian. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  25. ↑ Thursday, May 01, 2014 (May 1, 2014). "Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin boasts far-right record". MSNBC.com. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  26. ↑ Godfrey, Ed. "Ex-Bodyguard Denies Having Affair With Fallin". newsok.com. NewsOK. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  27. ↑ Raymond, Ken. Mary Fallin campaigns on experience, issues and charm, The Oklahoman, September 26, 2010 (accessed May 16, 2013)
  28. ↑ "Court brief alleges Fallin consulted psychic". Okvoter.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Mary Fallin, Wade Christensen wed in Oklahoma City". NewsOK. November 22, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Mary Fallin, Wade Christensen wed in Oklahoma City", The Oklahoman, November 22, 2009.
  31. ↑ Meyers, Jim. "Newsmax Exclusive: The 25 Influential Women of the GOP". Retrieved 8 January 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mary Fallin.
U.S. Congress (2007–2011)
Party political offices
Preceded by
Terry Neese		 Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
1994, 1998, 2002 		Succeeded by
Todd Hiett
Preceded by
Ernest Istook		 Republican nominee for Governor of Oklahoma
2010, 2014 		Current holder
Political offices
Preceded by
Jack Mildren		 Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
1995–2007 		Succeeded by
Jari Askins
Preceded by
Brad Henry		 Governor of Oklahoma
2011–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Jack Markell		 Chairperson of the National Governors Association
2013–2014 		Succeeded by
John Hickenlooper
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ernest Istook		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
2007–2011 		Succeeded by
James Lankford
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Joe Biden
as Vice President		 Order of Precedence of the United States
Within Oklahoma 		Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
Otherwise John Boehner
as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Gary Herbert
as Governor of Utah		 Order of Precedence of the United States
Outside Oklahoma 		Succeeded by
Susana Martinez
as Governor of New Mexico