Brad Henry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brad Henry
Henry in 2007
26th Governor of Oklahoma
In office January 13, 2003 – January 10, 2011
Lieutenant	Mary Fallin Jari Askins
Preceded by	Frank Keating
Succeeded by	Mary Fallin
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 17th district
In office 1992–2003
Preceded by	Carl Franklin
Succeeded by	Charlie Laster
Personal details
Born	Charles Bradford Henry (1963-07-10) July 10, 1963 (age 62) Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kim Blaine
Children	4
Education	University of Oklahoma (BA, JD)

Charles Bradford Henry (born July 10, 1963) is an American politician and lawyer. He served as the 26th governor of Oklahoma from 2003 to 2011. Before becoming governor, he was a member of the Oklahoma Senate from 1992 to 2003. Brad Henry is a member of the Democratic Party. As of 2025, he is the last Democrat to be elected governor of Oklahoma.

Henry was first elected governor in 2002. He won again for a second term in 2006. He was the third governor in Oklahoma's history to serve two terms in a row. This also happened with Democrat George Nigh and Republican Frank Keating. Henry could not run for a third term because of rules in the Oklahoma Constitution. Mary Fallin became the next governor on January 10, 2011.

Early Life and Education

Brad Henry was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His father, Charles Henry, was a well-known judge and a former state representative. Brad Henry finished Shawnee High School in 1981.

He then went to the University of Oklahoma. He was a "President's Leadership Scholar" there, which means he was a top student. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1985. He was also part of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. In 1988, he earned his law degree (called a J.D.) from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. While studying law, he helped edit the school's Law Review journal.

After law school, Henry worked as a lawyer in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He then decided to run for the Oklahoma State Senate. He served as a state senator from 1992 until he became governor in 2003.

Becoming Governor: Campaigns

Henry as a State Senator

2002 Election for Governor

In the 2002 election, Brad Henry first won against other candidates in his party. Then, in the main election, he ran against Steve Largent. Largent was a former Congressman and a famous football player. Henry won by a very small number of votes. Another candidate, Gary Richardson, also ran.

Henry traveled around the state in an RV, visiting small towns and Wal-Mart stores. He had support from football coach Barry Switzer, who is very popular in Oklahoma. Henry's campaign focused on "education." He promised to increase teachers' salaries and fund colleges. He also supported creating a state lottery to help pay for schools.

2006 Election for Governor

In 2006, Henry easily won his party's primary election. In the general election, he ran against Ernest Istook, a U.S. Congressman. Henry won with a large number of votes, about 66%. This was one of the biggest wins for a governor in Oklahoma in almost 50 years. He won in most counties, even many that usually vote Republican.

Serving as Governor of Oklahoma

Brad Henry became Oklahoma's 26th governor on January 13, 2003. His cousin, a federal judge, gave him the oath of office. As governor, he was part of several important groups for state leaders. He was also the president of the Council of State Governments in 2007.

Henry was known as a moderate Democrat. This means his political views were often in the middle. He supported expanding public healthcare. He also wanted to hold health insurance companies accountable for good care. However, he was in favor of the death penalty and against strict gun control. He supported tax cuts for people with lower and middle incomes. He also believed in keeping the income tax.

Henry made news when he helped Texas lawmakers. These lawmakers traveled to Oklahoma to avoid a vote on a new district map in Texas. Henry said Oklahoma would not get involved in Texas's political fights. He joked that if they were going to battle Texas, they preferred it to be on the football field.

In 2003, Governor Henry signed several important bills into law. ..... They also made sure health insurance companies were watched more closely by the state. He also supported a plan to create a statewide lottery to help fund schools.

Henry with FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison, 2008

In 2004, Henry signed a law that gave pay raises to state employees, public school teachers, and state troopers.

..... Lawmakers in Oklahoma voted to pass the bill anyway. This was the first time a governor's veto was overturned in Oklahoma since 1994. Henry vetoed a similar bill again in 2010, and it was also overturned. .....

Even though many people liked Governor Henry, Oklahoma voters approved a new rule. This rule limited governors to a total of eight years in office. The law already said a governor could only serve two terms in a row. This new rule meant Henry, who was 47 at the time, could not try to become governor again later.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Appointments

Governor Henry chose the following judges to serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court:

• James E. Edmondson – 2003
• Steven W. Taylor – 2004
• Tom Colbert – 2004 (Henry was the first governor to appoint an African American judge to the Court)
• John F. Reif – 2007
• Doug Combs – 2010
• Noma Gurich – 2010

After Being Governor

After leaving office, some people thought Henry might become president of the University of Central Oklahoma. However, the state's largest newspapers did not support this idea. Another person, Don Betz, was chosen for the job. Henry was also considered to be the Dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. But Valerie Couch was appointed instead.

In 2013, some supporters asked Henry to run for governor again in 2014 against Mary Fallin. But he decided not to run. He was also considered for a special election for the U.S. Senate in 2014, but he did not run then either. In 2016, Brad Henry joined a law firm called Spencer Fane.

Election Results

2002 Election Outcome

Oklahoma gubernatorial election 2002 results map. Red denotes counties won by Steve Largent, Blue denotes those won by Brad Henry.

2006 Election Outcome

Oklahoma gubernatorial election 2006 results map. Red denotes counties won by Ernest Istook, Blue denotes those won by Brad Henry.