Kevin Matthews (politician)
Kevin Matthews | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office April 15, 2015 – November 13, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jabar Shumate |
| Succeeded by | Regina Goodwin |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 73rd district | |
| In office November 14, 2012 – April 15, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Jabar Shumate |
| Succeeded by | Regina Goodwin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 2, 1960 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Central Oklahoma |
| Alma mater | Booker T. Washington High School |
| Profession | firefighter, politician |
Kevin Matthews (born March 2, 1960) is an American politician who served in the Oklahoma Senate representing the 11th district from 2015 to 2024. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 73rd district from 2012 to 2015.
Early life, education, and career
[edit]Kevin Matthews was born in Tulsa where he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. He attended Central State University between 1978 and 1981. He later earned a degree in fire protection technology while working for the Tulsa Fire Department.[1] He worked for 25 years for the department, retiring as the Administrative Fire Chief of the department. He was the first African American Administrative Fire Chief for the Tulsa Fire Department.[2]
Oklahoma House of Representatives
[edit]Mathews was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2012 and sworn into office on November 14 of that year.[1]
Oklahoma Senate
[edit]Mathews ran in a special election to succeed Jabar Shumate in 2015. The Democratic primary decided the election since no non-Democratic candidates filed. He faced Regina Goodwin and Heather Nash in the primary election and won with 47% of the vote.[3] He did not run for reelection in 2024 due to term limits.[4]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Matthews | 1,619 | 47.3% | |
| Democratic | Regina Goodwin | 1,317 | 38.5% | |
| Democratic | Heather Nash | 486 | 14.2% | |
| Total votes | 3,422 | 100.0 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Kevin Matthews". Oklahoma Senate. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Stockett, Rian (18 February 2024). "Senator Kevin Matthews honored at Tulsa Fire Museum's Black History Month tribute". KTUL. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (April 8, 2015). "Kevin Matthews wins three-way battle for state Senate". Tulsa World. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (October 22, 2023). "Political notebook: Two new state board of education members appointed". Tulsa World. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "April 7, 2015 Oklahoma Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
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- 1960 births
- 20th-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century American firefighters
- African-American state legislators in Oklahoma
- Democratic Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
- 21st-century members of the Oklahoma Legislature
- Democratic Party Oklahoma state senators
- Living people
- Politicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) alumni
- Tulsa Fire Department personnel
- Oklahoma politician stubs