Regina Goodwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Regina Goodwin
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Goodwin in 2024
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| Minority Deputy Floor Leader of the Oklahoma State Senate | |
| Assumed office December 11, 2024 |
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| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 11th district |
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| Assumed office November 13, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Kevin Matthews |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 73rd district |
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| In office July 21, 2015 – November 13, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Kevin Matthews |
| Succeeded by | Ron Stewart |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 22, 1962 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Regina Goodwin (born September 22, 1962) is an American politician. She has served in the Oklahoma Senate for the 11th district since 2024. Before that, she was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 73rd district from 2015 to 2024.
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Early Life and Family History
Regina Goodwin was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She grew up in the historic Greenwood District. This area is also known as Black Wall Street. Her family has deep roots in the community.
Her great-grandfather, James Henri Goodwin, moved to Greenwood in 1914. He helped start the Jackson Undertaking Company. He also managed a newspaper called the Tulsa Star. Both James Henri and his son Edward, Regina's grandfather, survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Later, Edward Goodwin started The Oklahoma Eagle newspaper in 1936. This newspaper became the longest-running Black newspaper in Oklahoma. Regina's father, Edward Jr., also helped run The Oklahoma Eagle.
Education and Early Career
Regina Goodwin finished high school at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa in 1980. She then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Kansas. She also studied for her master's degree at Columbia College in Chicago.
Goodwin first tried to become a state senator in 2015. She ran for the 11th district in a special election. She lost the Democratic primary election by a small number of votes to Kevin Matthews.
Serving in the Oklahoma State Legislature
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Regina Goodwin was elected as a State Representative for Tulsa House District 73 in a special election in 2015. She served as the Assistant Minority Floor Leader. She also chaired the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus. This group is made up of seven members.
Goodwin worked on important issues for her community. These included public education, housing, health care, and police reform.
Working for Police Reform
In 2019, she spoke about possible cases of police using too much force in Tulsa. This followed incidents like the 2016 killing of Terrence Crutcher. In 2020, Goodwin and other Black Caucus members again asked for police reform. This happened after two African American boys were stopped and detained for jaywalking by Tulsa police.
Speaking Out on Community Issues
In June 2020, Donald Trump planned a campaign rally near the site of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Goodwin and other Black Caucus members held a press conference. They shared their worries about increased racial tensions. They also worried about health risks from COVID-19. Trump later changed the date of the rally. Goodwin said his choice to hold the rally was "more provocative than productive."
In June 2021, on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Goodwin and the Black Caucus called for reparations. They also asked for other steps to make sure such an event never happens again.
Laws Authored by Goodwin
Goodwin has written several bills that became laws. These include:
- HB 1357, the Caregiver Support Act. This law helps caregivers with resources and vouchers.
- HB 3393, the Anti-Shackling Law. This law stops the shackling of pregnant incarcerated women during labor.
- HB 2253. This law makes it clear when voting rights are given back to people convicted of felonies.
Oklahoma State Senator
In June 2024, Goodwin won the Democratic primary for the Oklahoma Senate's 11th district. She defeated Joe Williams. Since no other candidates ran, Goodwin won the seat after the June election. She officially became a senator on November 13, 2024.
Recent Incident
On January 11, 2025, Senator Goodwin was involved in an incident with a Tulsa County sheriff's deputy. She was pulled over for not stopping at two stop signs. The deputy's body camera recorded the event. After not showing her identification, Goodwin was briefly handcuffed and placed in the deputy's car. She was then released and given a ticket for the traffic violation. Goodwin later stated, "Let the courts handle it." Her attorney, Mike Manning, was present and suggested the deputy could just give her a ticket. Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and Tulsa city councilor Laura Bellis also arrived at the scene. On January 26, 2025, Goodwin pleaded no contest and was found responsible for failing to stop at a stop sign. She paid a fine of $249 online.
Electoral History Summary
Regina Goodwin has run in several elections.
- In 2015, she won the Democratic primary for the Oklahoma House of Representatives 73rd district.
- She was reelected to the Oklahoma House in 2016.
- In 2018, 2020, and 2022, Goodwin was reelected without anyone running against her.
- In 2024, she won the Democratic primary for the Oklahoma Senate 11th district.
