Todd Hiett
Encyclopedia
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
. Hiett was the first Republican to hold that position in over eight decades.
Once he completed the maximum twelve year term (term limits are constitutionally mandated in Oklahoma), Hiett launched a campaign to succeed Mary Fallin
as the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
. Hiett lost the 2006 race to Democrat
Jari Askins
.
to Jim and Beverly Hiett. He is married to Bridget Anne Beil, with whom he has three children.
He has said he was motivated to enter politics when Oklahoma's Department of Agriculture quarantined his herd of cattle, and extended the quarantine even after receiving blood tests on the animals that were negative for any disease. Hiett had to appear before the state Board of Agriculture to get the quarantine lifted.
Representing the 29th House District, Hiett served in the Oklahoma House from 1995 to 2007, quickly becoming the House Minority Leader in 2002. After the Republicans took control of the House in 2005, Hiett was elected Speaker, the first Republican to serve in over eighty years. Hiett is only the second Republican to hold that position. The first was Geo Schwabe, who served from 1921-23.
to replace outgoing Republican Mary Fallin
as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
. In the primaries, Hiett faced Nancy Riley
and Scott Pruitt
. Following the primaries on July 25, 2006, Riley received 23% of the vote, Pruitt received 34%, and Hiett received 43%. Hiett, according to Oklahoma state law, had to face Pruitt in a runoff
, with the winner receiving the party's nomination.
Following the run-off election on August 22, 2006, Hiett received 66,217 votes and 50.92% as opposed to Pruitt's 63,812 votes and 49.08%. Hiett was the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor, but he lost to Democratic House Minority Leader
Jari Askins
in the November general election.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rancher and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Kellyville
Kellyville, Oklahoma
Kellyville is a town in Creek County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 906 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kellyville is located at ....
. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
from 1995 until 2007. During his final two years in office, Hiett served as the Speaker of the House
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Speaker exercises administrative and procedural functions in the House, but most importantly remains a representative of his...
. Hiett was the first Republican to hold that position in over eight decades.
Once he completed the maximum twelve year term (term limits are constitutionally mandated in Oklahoma), Hiett launched a campaign to succeed Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
as the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
. Hiett lost the 2006 race to Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Jari Askins
Jari Askins
Jari Askins is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from the US state of Oklahoma. She was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, being the second female and the first Democratic female to hold that position....
.
Early life and political career
Hiett was born in Kellyville, OklahomaKellyville, Oklahoma
Kellyville is a town in Creek County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 906 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kellyville is located at ....
to Jim and Beverly Hiett. He is married to Bridget Anne Beil, with whom he has three children.
He has said he was motivated to enter politics when Oklahoma's Department of Agriculture quarantined his herd of cattle, and extended the quarantine even after receiving blood tests on the animals that were negative for any disease. Hiett had to appear before the state Board of Agriculture to get the quarantine lifted.
Representing the 29th House District, Hiett served in the Oklahoma House from 1995 to 2007, quickly becoming the House Minority Leader in 2002. After the Republicans took control of the House in 2005, Hiett was elected Speaker, the first Republican to serve in over eighty years. Hiett is only the second Republican to hold that position. The first was Geo Schwabe, who served from 1921-23.
Bid for Lt. Governor
Hiett placed his name in the Republican primary electionPrimary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
to replace outgoing Republican Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
. In the primaries, Hiett faced Nancy Riley
Nancy Riley
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...
and Scott Pruitt
Scott Pruitt
Scott Pruitt is a United States lawyer and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He is the current Oklahoma Attorney General.Pruitt was a State Senator, representing Tulsa and Wagoner counties from 1998 until 2006...
. Following the primaries on July 25, 2006, Riley received 23% of the vote, Pruitt received 34%, and Hiett received 43%. Hiett, according to Oklahoma state law, had to face Pruitt in a runoff
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
, with the winner receiving the party's nomination.
Following the run-off election on August 22, 2006, Hiett received 66,217 votes and 50.92% as opposed to Pruitt's 63,812 votes and 49.08%. Hiett was the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor, but he lost to Democratic House Minority Leader
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
Jari Askins
Jari Askins
Jari Askins is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from the US state of Oklahoma. She was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, being the second female and the first Democratic female to hold that position....
in the November general election.