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Michael Brooks-Jimenez

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Michael Brooks-Jimenez
Minority Caucus Chair of the Oklahoma Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 11, 2024
Preceded byKevin Matthews
Minority Caucus Vice Chair of the Oklahoma Senate
In office
2018 – Feburary 6, 2024
Succeeded byCarri Hicks
Member of the Oklahoma Senate
from the 44th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 11, 2017
Preceded byRalph Shortey
Personal details
Born
Michael Andrew Brooks-Jimenez

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJessica
Children2
Residence(s)Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
EducationOklahoma State University
University of Oklahoma College of Law

Michael Andrew Brooks-Jimenez is an American lawyer and Democratic member of the Oklahoma Senate. He was elected in a 2017 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ralph Shortey. He represents the 44th district, which covers parts of southern Oklahoma City.

Personal life

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Brooks-Jimenez was born in Oklahoma City to a white father, Bud Brooks, and a Mexican-American mother, Patricia Jimenez Brooks. Both were educators. He graduated from Mount St. Mary High School, and with a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.[1] Brooks-Jimenez established a law firm, specializing in immigration law and Criminal Defense.[2]

Brooks-Jimenez and his wife, Jessica Martinez-Brooks, have 2 children; Joaquin and Lucy.[1] He is a Catholic and attends St. James Catholic Church.[3]

Political career

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Brooks-Jimenez ran for the state Senate in 2014, losing to incumbent Republican Ralph Shortey.[4][5] After Shortey resigned in March 2017 after being charged with child prostitution, Brooks-Jimenez declared his candidacy for the open seat.[6] He defeated Republican Joe Griffin in the special election, held on July 11, 2017.[7] His victory came as a surprise victory for the Democratic Party.[8]

Brooks-Jimenez was the first Latino member of the Senate and is one of five in the Legislature.[9] No candidates filed to run against Brooks-Jimenez in 2018 or 2022 primaries or general elections. He currently serves as Minority Caucus Chair. Brooks-Jimenez is also member of The National Association of Latino Elected Officials and the Board of Latino Legislative Leaders and was selected to be part of the New Deal Leaders in 2021. Brooks-Jimenez also founded the Oklahoma Latino Legislative Caucus in 2020.[10][11]

Political positions

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Brooks-Jimenez believes illegal immigration is an issue best handled at the federal level, and supports rights of immigrants, both legal and illegal, residing in the United States.[12] He prioritized education, the economy, and infrastructure in his 2014 campaign for the Senate.[13]

Electoral history

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Oklahoma Senate District 44 election, 2014[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ralph Shortey 5,418 51.69
Democratic Michael Brooks-Jimenez 4,384 41.82
Nonpartisan Constance Fawcett 680 6.49
Total votes 10,482 100.00
Oklahoma Senate District 44 special election, 2017[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Brooks-Jimenez 1,975 54.57
Republican Joe Griffin 1,644 45.43
Total votes 3,619 100.00

References

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  1. ^ a b "Michael Brooks-Jimenez's Biography". Project VoteSmart. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  2. ^ Griffin, Andrew W.; O'Brien, Bill (August 27, 2014). "ON THE RISE: Dist. 44 candidate Michael Brooks-Jimenez seeks to be strong Dem voice in the Senate". Red Dirt Report. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  3. ^ "Michael Brooks-Jimenez Announces Candidacy for Oklahoma State Senate District 44". Michael for Oklahoma. March 21, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  4. ^ Hardzinski, Brian (November 4, 2014). "Republican Gains, Few Surprises: A Real-Time Recap Of Oklahoma's Midterm Election Results". KGOU. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Bill (December 20, 2015). "Keeping an eye on Michael Brooks-Jimenez". Red Dirt Report. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  6. ^ Franklin, Dallas (March 23, 2017). "Two politicians announce plans to run for Ralph Shortey's state Senate seat". Oklahoma's News 4. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Dickerson, Brett (July 11, 2017). "Brooks-Jimenez wins Senate District 44 Race". Oklahoma City Free Press. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  8. ^ Resnick, Gideon (2017-07-12). "Democratic Candidates Just Pulled Off Surprise Wins In Two Oklahoma Statehouse Races". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  9. ^ Brown, Trevor (July 18, 2017). "Latino Legislators Remain Few But Represent Range of Districts". Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  10. ^ "Meet the 20 already 'elected' to 2019 Legislature, learn more about record-breaking candidate filing in Oklahoma". Tulsa World. April 17, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  11. ^ Michael Brooks, Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "Michael Brooks-Jimenez: In Defense of Latino Immigrants". Oklahoma Watch. November 22, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  13. ^ Green, Rick (October 20, 2014). "Oklahoma state Senate District 44 race is a study in contrasts". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  14. ^ "OK State Senate 44 2014". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  15. ^ "OK State Senate 44 - Special Election 2017". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
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