Amanda Swope Explained

Amanda Swope
State House:Oklahoma
District:71st
Term Start:November 16, 2022
Predecessor:Denise Brewer
Office2:Chairwoman of the Tulsa County Democratic Party
Term Start2:2019
Term End2:2022
Birth Date:5 February 1988
Birth Place:Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Education:Northeastern State University (BA)
University of Oklahoma (MPA)
Nationality:American
Muscogee Nation

Amanda Swope is an American politician who has served as the Oklahoma House of Representatives member from the 71st district since November 16, 2022. She was the Tulsa County Democratic Party Chairwoman between 2019 and 2022, the youngest person and first Native American to hold the position. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation.

Early life and education

Amanda Swope was born and raised in Tulsa where she graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 2006.[1] Her mother is former Tulsa City Councilor Connie Dodson. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Northeastern State University and her master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Career

Swope worked in the nonprofit sector before accepting a job for the Muscogee Nation in 2018. She became the tribal juvenile justice program director for the Muscogee Nation in 2021.

Tulsa County Democratic Party

Swope started volunteering with the Tulsa County Democratic Party in 2011. She served as the Chairwoman of the Tulsa County Democratic Party from 2019 to 2022. She was the first woman and first Native American to hold the seat. She also worked on Drew Edmondson's campaign for governor in 2018.[2]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Swope filed to run for Oklahoma House of Representatives 71st district to succeed Representative Denise Brewer in 2022. She faced no other Democratic candidates in the primary and Republican Mike Masters in the general election.[3] She was endorsed by the Tulsa World and received campaign contributions from the Cherokee Nation.[4] [5] She defeated Masters with over 60% of the vote.[6] She was sworn in on November 16, 2022.[7]

Personal life

Swope is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation.

Notes and References

  1. News: de Vera . Abbie . Swope in for the win: Rep.-elect (D) Swope, Councilor (D) Decter Wright, Rep. Provenzano . 8 January 2023 . Fox 23 . November 9, 2022.
  2. News: Canfield . Kevin . Outgoing City Councilor Connie Dodson, incoming state Rep. Amanda Swope talk about mother-daughter relationship, politics . July 18, 2024 . . December 1, 2022 . en.
  3. News: DenHoed . Andrea . Mike Masters, Amanda Swope compete for open House District 71 in Tulsa . 8 January 2023 . Nondoc . October 24, 2022.
  4. News: Endorsement: Amanda Swope is the best choice for voters in House District 71 . 8 January 2023 . . October 24, 2022.
  5. News: Rowley . D. Sean . CN splits $400K in contributions between Democrats, GOP . 8 January 2023 . . October 31, 2022.
  6. News: Election results for Tulsa races . 8 January 2023 . Public Radio Tulsa . November 8, 2022.
  7. News: Shular . Daniel . Photos: Lawmakers sworn in at Capitol on Oklahoma Statehood Day . 13 December 2022 . . 16 November 2022.