Six candidates vie to fill empty Oklahoma House seat representing Tulsa, Rogers counties

OKLAHOMA CITY — Half a dozen candidates have thrown their names in to run for an open seat in the Oklahoma House representing parts of Tulsa and Rogers Counties. 

The House District 74 seat is up for grabs after Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, stepped down prior to session to accept a job in Tulsa County government. 

The special primary election is April 1 and a special runoff, if needed, would be May 13, said Misha Mohr with the State Election Board. If no runoff is needed, the general election will be May 13. Early voting begins March 27.

Candidates are organized alphabetically and by political party. 

Democratic Party

Amy Hossain said she’s running because she wants to give voters a choice to elect someone from her party. She said she has been frustrated by the lack of options on her ballot in the past. 

Hossain, 50, is the chief human resources officer for Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa and is the president of Khan Ohana, a nonprofit working to “break the cycle of poverty among college students.” She has also been involved in community service through various other nonprofits, according to her campaign website. 

“If I had the chance to be elected, you know first and foremost is quality public education, equitable access to health care, livable wages, affordable housing,” Hossain said. 

She said she’ll defend public education from harmful cuts, work to eliminate disparities in health outcomes, and ensure Oklahomans have the opportunity to live in safe, stable housing without sacrificing basic needs, according to her campaign website. 

Republican Party

Kevin Norwood

At 57, Kevin Norwood, a pastor, said he has been invested in this community for more than three decades. He said he has built businesses in the district, helped mentor community youth, and is involved in community initiatives. 

“In 30 years of working with all ages and all walks of life, I have learned that success comes from meeting people where they are, and then working alongside them in bringing ideas to life, identifying skills, and creating opportunities that foster success,” he said in a statement. “… I am so proud of Owasso, knowing our community and the people that make it a destination for families to call home – and I intend to champion our community and reflect our conservative Oklahoma values.”

If elected, Norwood hopes to “build a vibrant economy, with a low tax environment, safe communities, strong infrastructure, excellence in schools, and support community and family initiatives.”

Brad Peixotto

Brad Peixotto, 52, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 

Johnathon Shepherd

Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Johnathon Shepherd, 47, launched the Eagle OPS Foundation to help veterans like himself combat loneliness and connect to resources after leaving the military. 

“As your representative, I’ll bring the same passion, integrity, and determination to ensure that all Oklahomans — veterans and civilians alike — have the opportunities and support they deserve,” he said in a statement. “District 74 deserves a leader who understands the challenges of service and transition, who has lived through the struggles, and who is committed to making a difference. I believe I am that leader.”

According to his website, Shepherd’s top issues include supporting veterans, strengthening families, growing the economy and creating safer communities. This includes focusing on veteran homelessness and suicide prevention, promoting policies that “support families and uphold traditional values,” and reducing regulations on small businesses.

Maggie Stearman 

As a mother and a former teacher, Maggie Stearman, 26, is running for office because she wants to increase representation of a younger generation and mothers in the Oklahoma House. 

In an interview with Oklahoma Voice, Stearman said she is a foster mom and would like to see greater transparency and an improved foster system from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services so more people are able to foster children. If elected, the Republican candidate would prioritize fighting “woke ideologues in our school,” “advancing MAGA,” maintaining Oklahoma’s election integrity and “freeing” the turnpikes, according to her campaign website. 

“I’m big into the Make Oklahoma Healthy Again movement,” she said. “I think that choices should always come back to family, individuals and parents to decide for their children what is best for them and informed consent. I think that a doctor should have to tell you what is inside of something before they’re just putting it in your body.”

Shelia Vancuren

Shelia Vancuren said she’s been interested in running for office since before her husband held the legislative seat. She wants to help protect freedoms in Oklahoma and ensure it’s a great place to live. 

If elected, the realtor and former teacher said her priorities include improving education, promoting small businesses and working to make sure Oklahomans keep as much “money in their pockets” as possible. 

“You kind of see the direction the state’s going … and then just on the national level as well, just seeing how things have degraded there,” Vancuren, 57, said. “Oklahoma has luckily been a great place to live. And so I like that, and I want it to remain that way. I can continue to protect our freedoms in Oklahoma just because I love my state.”

Voters can check their registration status and their polling location at the voter portal on the State Election Board website.