John Montgomery (Oklahoma politician) explained

John Montgomery
Birth Name:John Michael Montgomery
Spouse:Kylee
Children:1
Party:Republican
Birth Place:Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Birth Date: August 13, 1991
Education:University of Oklahoma (BA, MA)
State Senate:Oklahoma
District:32nd
Term Start:November 21, 2018
Term End:August 1, 2023
Predecessor:Randy Bass
Successor:Dusty Deevers
State House1:Oklahoma
District1:62nd
Term Start1:2014
Term End1:November 21, 2018
Successor1:Daniel Pae
Predecessor1:T. W. Shannon

John Michael Montgomery (born August 13, 1991) is an American politician who served in the Oklahoma Senate representing the 32nd district from 2018 to 2023. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 62nd district between 2015 and 2018

Early life and education

John Michael Montgomery was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, on August 13, 1991.[1] He graduated from Eisenhower High School and attended Cameron University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and affairs and a Master of Arts in global studies from the University of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma legislature

In 2014, Montgomery ran in the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives' 62nd district against Jesse Robert Cross.[2] He advanced to the general election and faced the Democratic nominee John Dunaway.[3] He won the election.[4] During his 2016 re-election, he did not face a Republican primary challenger.[5] He defeated the Democratic nominee Larry Bush in the general election.[6] In 2018, he ran for term limited Democratic state senator Randy Bass's seat in the 32nd district.[7] [8] He was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in November 2018 with 55% of the vote, defeating Jacobi Crowley.[9] He was the first Republican to hold the seat since the 1930s.[10]

He won re-election in November 2022 against Democratic challenger Johnny Jernigan with 67% of the vote.[11] In 2023, Montgomery authored SB 429 to prevent public schools from banning Native American students from wearing tribal regalia at high school graduations.[12] The bill was vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt, but the Oklahoma Legislature overrode the veto.[13] [14]

In July 2023, he announced his plans to resign his Oklahoma Senate seat on August 1, 2023, to become the Chamber of Commerce president for Lawton, Oklahoma.[15] He endorsed Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Montgomery's Biography. 2021-08-03. Vote Smart.
  2. News: Krehbiel . Randy . 1st District Rep. Jim Bridenstine draws no challengers, re-elected to Congress . 8 July 2023 . . April 12, 2014.
  3. News: State Legislature candidates in the Nov. 4 general election . 8 July 2023 . . September 29, 2014.
  4. News: Green . Rick M. . Profiles of two new Oklahoma lawmakers . 8 July 2023 . . November 9, 2014.
  5. News: Candidates who filed for federal and state offices last week at the State Capitol . . April 17, 2016.
  6. Web site: November 8, 2016 Official Results . results.okelections.us . . 8 July 2023.
  7. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Political notebook: Drew Edmondson wants people to have say on budget if Legislature fails . 8 July 2023 . . July 16, 2017.
  8. News: Savage . Tres . Who filed for the #okleg? 21 eligible incumbents pursue other options . 8 July 2023 . NonDoc . April 13, 2018.
  9. News: Ward . Kristen . ELECTION RESULTS: John Michael Montgomery to represent District 32 . 8 July 2023 . . November 6, 2018.
  10. News: Halter . Caroline . Oklahoma Democrats See Potential In Lawton, But Could Lose Stronghold Senate Seat . 8 July 2023 . . September 25, 2018.
  11. News: Sen. John Michael Montgomery retains SD 32 seat . 8 July 2023 . . November 8, 2022.
  12. News: Young . Molly . Oklahoma lawmakers vote to stop school bans on tribal regalia at graduation . 8 July 2023 . . April 25, 2023.
  13. News: Young . Molly . Oklahoma governor vetoes wearing of tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies . 8 July 2023 . . May 2, 2023.
  14. News: Young . Molly . A vetoed bill to protect tribal regalia at graduations is now set to become law . 8 July 2023 . . May 25, 2023.
  15. News: Patterson . Matt . Sen. John Michael Montgomery resignation will trigger SD 32 special election . 8 July 2023 . NonDoc . July 7, 2023.
  16. News: 20 Oklahoma Legislators Endorse Gov. Ron DeSantis for President . 8 July 2023 . City Sentinel . June 8, 2023.