Nancy Riley
Encyclopedia
Nancy C. Riley represented Oklahoma State Senate District 37 which is located in Tulsa County
and includes Bixby
, Jenks
, Lotsee
, Tulsa
and Sand Springs
from 2000 to 2008. Riley grew up in Tulsa
and graduated from Edison High School
. She attended Oklahoma Christian College for three years, then married and started a family. Riley's first husband died from a brain tumor. During that time Riley was forced to live on food stamps. She later graduated from Langston University
and began teaching elementary school in the Tulsa Public Schools system.
and Senator Scott Pruitt.
Following the July 25 primary Riley surprised everyone when she announced that she was switching parties to become a Democrat. Before she switched parties the Democrats had a slim one seat margin in the Senate, illustrating the importance of her move. She felt that moderates like herself were no longer relevant in the Republican party, although many say personality conflicts with the Party were more important.
In April 2007 GOP Senate leader Glenn Coffee
saw defeating Riley as the top priority in 2008. Democrats have made it a top priority to retain Riley. Riley said after the 2007 legislative session that she feels more independent in the Democratic caucus, and can vote her own way rather than the party line. Riley served as Democratic Whip, Co-Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services, and on the Appropriation, Education, Transportation, and Retirement and Insurance committees.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Senator Riley's bid for a third term in the state Senate ended when she was defeated in the general election by the Republican candidate, Tulsa businessman Dan Newberry.
General Election November 7, 2004
General Election November 2, 2000
Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Tulsa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population is 603,403. Its county seat is Tulsa.-History of Tulsa County:The history of Tulsa County greatly overlaps the history of the city of Tulsa...
and includes Bixby
Bixby, Oklahoma
Bixby is a city in Tulsa and Wagoner counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and is a suburb of Tulsa. The population was 13,336 at the 2000 census and 20,884 in the 2010 census. It is nicknamed "The Garden Spot of Oklahoma" for its rich agrarian heritage...
, Jenks
Jenks, Oklahoma
Jenks is a city in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, and a suburb of Tulsa, in the northeastern part of the state. It is situated between the Arkansas River and U.S. Route 75. Jenks is one of the fastest growing cities in Oklahoma...
, Lotsee
Lotsee, Oklahoma
Lotsee is a town in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was two at the 2010 Census, compared to 11 in the 2000 census. The entire town is a family-owned cattle and pecan ranch, the Flying G Ranch, whose owner, George Campbell, incorporated it in 1963...
, Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
and Sand Springs
Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Sand Springs is a city in Osage and Tulsa counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A suburb of Tulsa, it is located predominantly in Tulsa County. The population was 18,906 in the 2010 U. S. Census, compared to 17,451 at the 2000 census. The city was founded in 1911, by Oklahoma philanthropist...
from 2000 to 2008. Riley grew up in Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
and graduated from Edison High School
Edison Preparatory School
Thomas Edison Preparatory School is a public school located in midtown Tulsa, Oklahoma serving students from the sixth grade to the twelfth grade.-Overview:...
. She attended Oklahoma Christian College for three years, then married and started a family. Riley's first husband died from a brain tumor. During that time Riley was forced to live on food stamps. She later graduated from Langston University
Langston University
Langston University is an institution of higher learning located in Langston, Oklahoma, USA. It is the only historically black college in the state, and the westernmost historically black college in the United States...
and began teaching elementary school in the Tulsa Public Schools system.
State Senate
Riley was elected as a Republican in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 still as a Republican. In 2006 Riley ran for the office of Lt. Governor as a Republican where she came in third and received 41,984 votes or 23.46%. Her showing was strong enough to force a runoff between House Speaker Todd HiettTodd Hiett
Todd Hiett is an American rancher and Republican politician from Kellyville. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1995 until 2007. During his final two years in office, Hiett served as the Speaker of the House...
and Senator Scott Pruitt.
Following the July 25 primary Riley surprised everyone when she announced that she was switching parties to become a Democrat. Before she switched parties the Democrats had a slim one seat margin in the Senate, illustrating the importance of her move. She felt that moderates like herself were no longer relevant in the Republican party, although many say personality conflicts with the Party were more important.
In April 2007 GOP Senate leader Glenn Coffee
Glenn Coffee
For the American football player, see Glen CoffeeVirgil Glenn Coffee is an American lawyer and Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Coffee is currently the 30th Oklahoma Secretary of State, having been appointed by Governor Mary Fallin...
saw defeating Riley as the top priority in 2008. Democrats have made it a top priority to retain Riley. Riley said after the 2007 legislative session that she feels more independent in the Democratic caucus, and can vote her own way rather than the party line. Riley served as Democratic Whip, Co-Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services, and on the Appropriation, Education, Transportation, and Retirement and Insurance committees.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Senator Riley's bid for a third term in the state Senate ended when she was defeated in the general election by the Republican candidate, Tulsa businessman Dan Newberry.
Election results
General Election November 4, 2008| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Newberry | 23,059 | 63.43% | |
| Nancy Riley | 13,292 | 36.57% | |
General Election November 7, 2004
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Riley | 22,327 | 65.33% | |
| Dan Giddens | 11,847 | 34.67% | |
General Election November 2, 2000
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Riley | 12,641 | 50.53% | |
| Lewis Long | 12,376 | 49.47% | |