Panhandle Representative Running for Speaker

Oklahoma House Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell announced today he will seek the position of Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

As Monday kicks off the 2008 legislative session and members take their floor seats, the first measure on their agenda will be to elect a new House Speaker after the resignation of Lance Cargill (R-Harrah).

Blackwell (R-Goodwell), District 61's representative since 2001, has served as Speaker Pro Tempore, the second-highest ranked legislator in the House, for the past year. He was the first Panhandle lawmaker to hold the post since 1955. And Blackwell is also an ex officio voting member on all House committees.

"2007 was a great year to serve as a state representative and the House Speaker Pro Tempore-not only was it a significant year in Oklahoma as we celebrated 100 years of statehood, it was also a year filled with great legislation and initiatives," said Blackwell. "The Legislature was faced with the challenge of turning great ideas into effective policy and we made tremendous strides on several issues that are keys to sustaining economic development and growth ─ specifically in the areas of tax cuts, education, investing in science and technology, immigration reform and health care.

Blackwell holds a bachelor's degree in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Panhandle State University. He also earned a master's degree in business administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a master's degree in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

He and his wife, Joanna, have been married for 17 years. They have three children: Corissa, 13; Carson, 9; and, Caleb, 4.

Contact: State Rep. Gus Blackwell
Capitol: (405) 557-7384