T. W. Shannon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
T. W. Shannon
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 46th Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – February 10, 2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Kris Steele |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Hickman |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 62nd district |
|
| In office January 2, 2007 – January 5, 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Abe Deutschendorf |
| Succeeded by | John Montgomery |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Tahrohon Wayne Shannon
February 24, 1978 Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Nationality | American Chickasaw Nation |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Devon Murray
(m. 2001) |
| Education | Cameron University (BA) Oklahoma City University (JD) |
Tahrohon Wayne Shannon, born on February 24, 1978, is an American banker and politician. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 62nd district from 2007 to 2015. In 2013, he made history by becoming Oklahoma's first African-American Speaker of the House.
Shannon later ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2014 and again in 2022. He did not win these elections, but he remains an important figure in Oklahoma politics.
Contents
Early life and education
T. W. Shannon was born in Oklahoma on February 24, 1978. His father was from the Chickasaw Nation, and his mother was African-American. Both of his parents were history teachers.
He went to Cameron University and earned a degree in communications. Later, he studied law at Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Career in politics
Shannon started his career working for Congressmen. He was a field representative for former Congressman J. C. Watts and later for Congressman Tom Cole. As a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, he also worked as a chief administrative officer for Chickasaw Nation Enterprises.
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Shannon was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2006. He quickly became a leader in the state House. In his first term, he was a deputy majority whip. In his second term, he led the transportation committee.
On January 8, 2013, Shannon became the speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. This made him the first African-American to hold this important position in Oklahoma.
As Speaker, Shannon worked on several plans for the state. He suggested selling state-owned properties that were not being used much. He also supported a plan to use state income tax money to fix Oklahoma's bridges over eight years.
Shannon also created a plan to manage state-owned properties better. The first property sold under this plan was a former studio for the state public television station.
He also suggested a rule for people receiving food assistance. He wanted them to do at least 35 hours of work activities. This idea was later changed because of the cost of providing job training.
In 2013, GOPAC, a group that helps new Republican leaders, added Shannon to its national advisory board. The 62nd House district, which Shannon represented, includes Lawton, Oklahoma and nearby areas.
US Senate campaigns
Shannon left his role as Speaker to run for the U.S. Senate in 2014. He wanted to take the place of Senator Tom Coburn. He had support from the Tea Party movement and endorsements from people like U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. However, he lost the Republican nomination to U.S. Representative James Lankford.
In March 2022, Shannon announced he would run for the U.S. Senate again. This time, he wanted to succeed Senator Jim Inhofe, who was retiring. He received support from Bill Anoatubby, the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. Shannon made it to a runoff election against Markwayne Mullin but lost.
Personal life
Shannon goes to Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lawton. He met his wife, Devon Murray, at Cameron University. They got married in 2001 and have two children, a daughter and a son. Today, he is the CEO of Chickasaw Community Bank in Oklahoma City.
Images for kids
-
Shannon speaks to the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
.jpg)
