Clay Staires
Clay Staires | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 66th district | |
| Assumed office November 16, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jadine Nollan |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lisa |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Skiatook, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA) |
Clay Staires is an American politician who has served as the Oklahoma House of Representatives member from the 66th district since November 16, 2022.
Early life and education[edit]
Staires grew up at his parents' Christian youth camp, Shepherd’s Fold Ranch in Avant, Oklahoma.[1] He graduated from Skiatook High School in 1982.[2] He attended the University of Oklahoma, played football, and earned his bachelor's degree in education.[1]
Career[edit]
Staires taught in Tulsa and Kansas City before returning to Avant in 2002 to run Shepherd’s Fold Ranch.[1] In 2012 Staires founded the Leadership Initiative, a mentoring service for small businesses. He also works as a motivational speaker and minister.[3]
Oklahoma House of Representatives[edit]
Staires ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2022 to succeed term-limited Representative Jadine Nollan.[1] Three other candidates ran in the Republican primary: Wayne Hill, Gabe Renfrow, and Mike Burdge.[4] While campaigning Staires questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election writing "If they accept Biden in the midst of all the evidence of a fixed election, 72,000,000 people are going to feel compelled to take action.”[5] Staires advanced to a runoff alongside Gabe Renfrow after placing second in the initial primary.[6] During the runoff election he was endorsed by Governor Kevin Stitt.[7] Claires won the runoff with 56% of the vote and faced Democratic candidate James Rankin in the general election.[8] He campaigned in the general election on his support for former president Donald Trump and fighting "against socialist policies.”[2] Staires won the general election over Rankin with 70% of the vote.[9] He was sworn in on November 16, 2022.[10]
Personal life[edit]
He is married to his wife Lisa and they have two daughters together.[2]
Electoral history[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gabe Renfrow | 1,698 | 47.6 | |
| Republican | Clay Staires | 1,183 | 26.2 | |
| Republican | Mike Burdge | 851 | 18.8 | |
| Republican | Wayne Hill | 787 | 17.4 | |
| Total votes | 4,519 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Clay Staires | 2,139 | 55.9% | |
| Republican | Gabe Renfrow | 1,690 | 44.1% | |
| Total votes | 3,829 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Clay Staires | 8,849 | 69.85% | |
| Democratic | James Rankin | 3,820 | 30.15% | |
| Total votes | 12,669 | 100.0 | ||
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Bishop-Baldwin, Sharon (April 26, 2022). "Skiatook candidates vying for HD 66 seat seek to set themselves apart". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Bishop-Baldwin, Sharon (October 26, 2022). "Two newcomers vie for reconfigured House District 66 seat". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Hancock, Andrea (June 25, 2022). "'Whims of democracy': Ideological divides evident in House District 66 GOP primary". NonDoc. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Robert (April 17, 2022). "Osage County candidates file for county, state races". Pawhuska Journal Capital. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Trevor (June 6, 2022). "The Misinformation Election: Lies, Conspiracy Theories Prominent in Many GOP Races". Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Bishop-Baldwin, Sharon (June 28, 2022). "Breaking: Renfrow, Staires headed to House District 66 runoff election". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Brinkman, Bennett (August 21, 2022). "Nurse vs. consultant: HD 66 GOP runoff pits Gabe Renfrow against Clay Staires". NonDoc. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Bishop-Baldwin, Sharon (August 23, 2022). "Clay Staires of Skiatook wins GOP runoff for House District 66 seat". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Bishop-Baldwin, Sharon (November 8, 2022). "Republican Clay Staires of Skiatook wins House District 66 seat". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Shular, Daniel (November 16, 2022). "Photos: Lawmakers sworn in at Capitol on Oklahoma Statehood Day". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "June 28 2022". okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "August 23 2022 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "November 8 2022 Oklahoma Unofficial results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 9, 2022.