T.W. Shannon in The Associated Press

On Principles & Values: Will remain as Speaker during Senate primary

Oklahoma's Republican House Speaker T.W. Shannon told colleagues Tuesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated early by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn but remain speaker "for the time being."

"I want you to know that I will remain Speaker for the time being. I am not stepping down immediately because I want to ensure a smooth transition that does not disrupt the important business of the state, nor distract from the legislative goals of our caucus," Shannon wrote.

Shannon, who previously worked as congressional field director for former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts and current U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, was first elected to the Oklahoma House in 2006. He was the first Republican to represent District 62.

He won a close race for House speaker with the help of the Republican caucus' right wing, and he has staked out several conservative positions that occasionally rankle GOP leaders in the state Senate and governor's office.

Source: Associated Press on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race Jan 29, 2014

On Principles & Values: "Recovering attorney" with JD from Oklahoma City University

Shannon, who earned his bachelor's degree at Cameron University and a law degree from Oklahoma City University, has jokingly described himself as a "recovering attorney" who currently works as a public relations and human resources consultant. He previously worked as chief administrative officer for Chickasaw Nation Industries. Source: Associated Press on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race Jan 29, 2014

On Technology: Consistently opposes bond issues to pay for infrastructure

Shannon has consistently opposed any effort for a bond issue to pay for state infrastructure improvements, and he has pushed for deeper cuts to the state's income tax, despite projections that the state will have about $170 million less to spend next year. He also is pushing to make permanent a generous tax subsidy to the oil and gas industry that is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

"If we're serious about addressing the needs of state government, we need to be serious about growing our economy, and raising taxes is not the way to do that," Shannon told the AP in an interview earlier this month. "You do that by allowing people and businesses to keep more of the money they earn. When they do, they either spend it or invest it, and that's how you grow your state, not by raising taxes."

Source: Associated Press on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race Jan 29, 2014

On Welfare & Poverty: Require 20 hours of work activity for food stamp recipients

Shannon also targeted several of the state's welfare programs last year, pushing one bill that would require some food stamp recipients to perform at least 20 hours of "work activities" each week and another to divert federal Temporary Aid to Needy Families funds to create a public service campaign promoting marriage. Source: Associated Press on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race Jan 29, 2014

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts by T.W. Shannon. Click here for a profile of T.W. Shannon.
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Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019