Children’s advocate retiring from Senate
One of the strongest voices at the state Capitol for Oklahoma’s disadvantaged youths said she won’t seek re-election this year.
State Sen. A.J. Griffin announced Wednesday she will take a private-sector job, but will continue to work on similar issues that have been her defining role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services.
“It takes me back — working with kids and families — like what I was doing before I came (to the Capitol),” said Griffin, R-Guthrie.
She wouldn’t say where she will work, but said it would still be in Oklahoma.
“The areas that I’ve worked on as a legislator, I will continue to try to make improvement on those systems outside the Legislature as well,” she said.
In a prepared statement, Griffin said she will continue serving until the end of her term this year.
“I struggled for months before arriving at the decision not to seek another term, but I’ve continued to hear God’s call in another direction and believe I’m being led to return to the front lines of service,” Griffin said. “It’s been an honor and privilege to be a voice for my constituents in Senate District 20. I have always been a servant of my community and the decision to seek office was an extension of that service.”
Her Senate District 20 seat includes Kingfisher, Logan, Noble and Pawnee counties.
During her time in the Legislature, Griffin has developed a reputation as a strong advocate for children. She’s also worked on substance abuse, behavioral and mental health issues.
Last year, she sponsored legislation to create a pilot program within the Department of Human Services that would study characteristics of children in state custody who experienced parental drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, mental or physical disability and domestic abuse, then develop programs to address those issues.
Joe Dorman, who served with Griffin when he was a state representative, said he’s sad to see her go. The Legislature will lose a strong voice for children, he said.
“A.J. has been exemplary when it comes to visiting with and carrying forward ideas,” said Dorman, who is now CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. “It’s going to be tough to replace her.”
Griffin was first elected in 2012 following the death of former state Sen. David Myers. She wouldn’t have been term limited until 2026.
She is the second GOP senator to announce plans to step down before term limits. The Associated Press reported state Sen. Josh Brecheen of Coalgate in southeastern Oklahoma also won’t run again.
“This was never a career choice for me. It was a chance to do service. But it’s not the only way to serve our state. It’s not even the most important way to serve our state,” Griffin said. “I’m hopeful we can continue to make improvements. I’m ready to see us do some big system change, and that doesn’t necessarily need to take the work of the Legislature.”