Mark McBride explained

Mark McBride
State House:Oklahoma
District:53rd
Term Start:November 14, 2012
Predecessor:Randy Terrill
Birth Date:3 April 1961
Birth Place:Moore, Oklahoma, U.S.
Party:Republican
Nationality:American
Citizen Potawatomi Nation[1]
Alma Mater:Moore High School
Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Mark McBride (born April 3, 1961) is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 53rd district since 2012.[2] [3]

Early life

McBride's family has lived in Moore, Oklahoma since the 1940s. He graduated from Moore High School in 1979 and was an active participant in National FFA Organization. He briefly attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University before leaving to go into farming.

Career

McBride has also been an outspoken defender of the oil and gas industry, defending tax breaks for the industry and authoring bills to limit opposition to proposed fossil fuel projects. In 2019, a leaked recording revealed that the oil and gas industry had been behind the language enacted in a large number of US states, including language authored by McBride which criminalized protests against fossil fuel projects.[4]

In March 2020, McBride authored HB 3967, an anti-BDS bill which prohibits the State of Oklahoma from contracting with any individual or company that boycotts goods or services from Israel. McBride, who has no background in law or international affairs, explained his motivation as primarily religious, saying "The Bible is clear that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed."[5]

In 2020, he was re-elected by default.[6] In 2024 he retired due to term limits.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: A glance at Indigenous state lawmakers . 9 June 2022 . Indian Country Today . 3 March 2022.
  2. Web site: McBride wins House seat for District 53 . Normantranscript.com . 2012-08-29 . 2019-05-19.
  3. Web site: Representative Mark McBride . Okhouse.gov . 2019-05-19.
  4. Web site: OIL LOBBYIST TOUTS SUCCESS IN EFFORT TO CRIMINALIZE PIPELINE PROTESTS, LEAKED RECORDING SHOWS . The Intercept . 2019-08-19 . 2019-12-19.
  5. Web site: Oklahoma House Passes pro-Israel Bill . The Oklahoman . 2020-03-04 . 2020-06-19.
  6. News: Savage . Tres . 2020 . More than 40 Oklahoma legislators re-elected by default . NonDoc .
  7. News: Olsson . Faithanna . Cheat Sheet: 4-way GOP primary to fill House District 53 . 14 June 2024 . NonDoc . 12 June 2024.