Kevin Matthews (born March 2, 1960) is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma Senate from the 11th district since 2015. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 73rd district from 2012 to 2015.
Kevin Matthews | |
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Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 11th district | |
Assumed office April 15, 2015 | |
Preceded by | Jabar Shumate |
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 73rd district | |
In office November 14, 2012 – April 15, 2015 | |
Preceded by | Jabar Shumate |
Succeeded by | Regina Goodwin |
Personal details | |
Born | Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | March 2, 1960
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Central Oklahoma |
Alma mater | Booker T. Washington High School |
Profession | firefighter, politician |
Early life, education, and career
editKevin Matthews was born in Tulsa where he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. He attended Central State University between 1978 and 1981. He later earned a degree in fire protection technology while working for the Tulsa Fire Department.[1] He worked for 25 years for the department, retiring as the Administrative Fire Chief of the department. He was the first African American Administrative Fire Chief for the Tulsa Fire Department.[2]
Oklahoma House of Representatives
editMathews was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2012 and sworn into office on November 14 of that year.[1]
Oklahoma Senate
editMathews ran in a special election to succeed Jabar Shumate in 2015. The Democratic primary decided the election since no non-Democratic candidates filed. He faced Regina Goodwin and Heather Nash in the primary election and won with 47% of the vote.[3] He did not run for reelection in 2024 due to term limits.[4]
Electoral history
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Kevin Matthews | 1,619 | 47.3% | |
Democratic | Regina Goodwin | 1,317 | 38.5% | |
Democratic | Heather Nash | 486 | 14.2% | |
Total votes | 3,422 | 100.0 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Kevin Matthews". Oklahoma Senate. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Stockett, Rian (18 February 2024). "Senator Kevin Matthews honored at Tulsa Fire Museum's Black History Month tribute". KTUL. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (April 8, 2015). "Kevin Matthews wins three-way battle for state Senate". Tulsa World. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (October 22, 2023). "Political notebook: Two new state board of education members appointed". Tulsa World. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "April 7, 2015 Oklahoma Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 3 June 2024.