Several to leave House, Senate
Almost two dozen Oklahoma lawmakers will leave office before triggering term limits, and many of those are leaving electoral politics altogether.
It’s easy to blame their departure on the frustrating politics they’ve experienced at the Oklahoma Legislature over the past two years, but most downplay the negatives and focus on the benefits of leaving office.
State Rep. Josh Cockroft, one of the highestranking lawmakers to not file for re-election, said he loves his job.
“At the end of the day, I love my family more,” said Cockroft, who has led the House Special Investigation Committee that examined several state agency fiascoes.
Before focusing for weeks on problems discovered at the state Health Department, he was tapped to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made against fellow lawmakers. Cockroft, R-Wanette, also chairs the House Rules Committee.
Some lawmakers who are leaving early are seeking higher office or another job close to government. Others, all Republican, are beating a path from the Capitol with no mention of future policy or political work.
State Rep. Katie Henke, R-Tulsa, said she wants to spend more time with her 3-year-old child, which is hard to do when she works at the state Capitol. Elise Hall, a GOP representative from Oklahoma City, said in a news release that she looked forward to spending more time with her family, friends and a business she co-owns.
Heavener Republican state Rep. Rick West said he’s leaving Oklahoma City after just two years on the job because of disagreements with House leadership. “Ultimately, I could not in good conscience continue to serve as a state representative,” West said. “I fundamentally disagree with the direction the Republican caucus is headed inside the Capitol, and I have been disappointed in decisions that were made that I believe are detrimental to our state.”
Another first-term lawmaker leaving the Capitol is Republican state Rep. Roger Ford of Midwest City. Although he’s been vocal about distasteful politics this year, Ford said it was a family decision and he hopes to be an education advocate after someone else is elected to his position. State Sen. Jack Fry is leaving to spend more time with his ailing wife after missing most of his votes last session. “As much as I’d like to come back and continue to work, it’s time for me to take care of my family,” said Fry, R-Midwest City. “If Gail was healthy, I’d be looking forward to coming back.”
He shrugged off any link to the sustained teacher protests at the Capitol and the near-constant political bickering about taxes and spending that has permeated Oklahoma politics.
“As an old mayor, I enjoy the work. Can it be frustrating at times? There’s no question about it,” Fry said. “But you just have to stay focused on doing the work and trying to do the right things.”
Dennis Casey, who
serves as vice chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, is stepping down with four years left before term limits force him out. Oklahoma law only lets a legislator serve 12 years.
He decided in 2016 that this would be his last term. “I miss a lot of stuff back home with my family. My grandkids are getting old enough now where they’re participating, so I have to pick between the job and family,” he said late Monday afternoon as the Capitol cleared of lawmakers, protesters and lobbyists. “I just decided I’d kind of hang with the family.”
He didn’t blame the Capitol culture for his decision to leave, but he acknowledged its presence. Casey said he’s always been a person who tries to focus on long-term policy, “and we don’t do that here,” the Morrison Republican said.
“You really and truly, you really, really, really need to have that passion and want to be here,” he said. “And if you’re not willing to have that, then you need to let somebody else do it.”