Republican state lawmaker wins election to Oklahoma Corporation Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY — Voters elected state lawmaker Brad Boles to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Tuesday. 

Boles, a Republican, defeated Democrat Rhonda Eastman to win a six-year term at an agency responsible for regulating public utilities and oil and gas. 

While making his victory speech at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City, Boles thanked his family for supporting him as he traveled “thousands of miles campaigning.” 

“We have a lot of challenges in Oklahoma,” he said. “Our electricity demand is going to double over the next 10 to 15 years, and it’s our job to make sure we have a reliable grid and an affordable grid.”

Boles, of Marlow, has served in the Oklahoma House since 2018 which includes time as the House energy committee chair. He has also previously served as the mayor of Marlow and on the Marlow Public Schools Board of Education. 

Boles also touts his business experience. He said he grew his family’s manufacturing business in the private sector. 

While serving in the Legislature, he authored a bill to require new data centers to pay for their own cost of construction and energy costs in an attempt to protect Oklahomans’ energy bills from rising. 

When he takes office Jan. 11, Boles will succeed Commissioner Todd Hiett, who cannot run again due to term limits.

Commissioners earn an annual salary of $150,000.