David Holt (politician)

David Holt

Holt shaking hands at the Bethany, OK Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2011
Member of the Oklahoma Senate
from the 30th district
Assumed office
2010
Preceded by Glenn Coffee
Personal details
Born March 10, 1979
Oklahoma City, OK
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Rachel
Children George, Margaret
Residence Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Alma mater George Washington University, Oklahoma City University
Occupation Private investment
Committees Education, Judiciary, Appropriations, Public Safety, Appropriations Subcommittee on Select Agencies (Vice Chair)
Religion Episcopalian
Website Campaign website

David Holt (born March 10, 1979) (Osage) is an American attorney, businessman and politician who has served as the majority whip of the Oklahoma State Senate. He represents an electoral district that includes portions of Oklahoma City, The Village, Bethany, and Warr Acres, Oklahoma.

Also notably, Holt is the author of Big League City: Oklahoma City's Rise to the NBA (2012). In 2014, Holt was named a "Rising Star" by Chuck Todd of NBC News.[1]

Personal life

Holt was born and raised in northwest Oklahoma City, with family roots in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. David is Osage through his late mother, Mary Ann Fuller Holt, who inspired him to public service,[2] as did his maternal grandfather, who directed the Model Cities Program in McAlester, Oklahoma.[3]

After graduating from Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, Holt earned a B.A. from George Washington University, which his mother had attended.[2] He served as a sports editor for The GW Hatchet.

Holt also has earned a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University, and is an attorney. In 2014, he was named director of investor relations for Hall Capital.[4] He has served as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City University.[5]

Holt is married to Rachel, and they have two children, George and Margaret.[6]

Holt has served on numerous civic boards in the Oklahoma City area. His most notable local involvement was as president of the board of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park from 2005 to 2008, during which time he spearheaded a relocation of the program to downtown Oklahoma City.[7] In 2013, Holt served as co-chair of the Myriad Gardens' 25th anniversary celebration.[8]

Previous public service

Holt served as an aide to Dennis Hastert when Hastert was U.S. Speaker of the House, and during the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[9] He served in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs under President George W. Bush.[6]

Holt returned to Oklahoma full-time in 2004 and served as Oklahoma’s coordinator to re-elect Bush in 2004. He served U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin.[6] In 2006 he was appointed Chief of Staff to Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, where Holt served until his election to the Oklahoma State Senate.[6] Holt was Cornett's Chief of Staff when Oklahoma City successfully lobbied for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association.

Senate career

Holt was elected to the Senate on July 27, 2010 with 64 percent of the vote in the Republican primary and was unopposed in the general election. He took office on November 16, 2010. He succeeded Glenn Coffee, the first Republican Senate President Pro Tempore in Oklahoma history.[6] In 2014, he was re-elected to a second term when he was unopposed by any candidate.[10]

2010-2011

On his first day of office in November, 2010, Holt was elected to the Senate Leadership as Majority Caucus Vice Chair.[11] He was also named Vice Chair of the Senate Business & Commerce Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee.[6]

His first session as a Senator was notable for his efforts to lower the Oklahoma income tax,[12] and his efforts to ensure that local taxpayers have control over their tax dollars.[13] In his first session, Holt was named "Most Shining Legislator" in one local paper.[14]

Later that year, Holt was credited with branding Route 66 as it passes through Oklahoma City.[15]

2012

In 2012, Holt's second session, he was noted for being the primary author of a bill to eliminate the Oklahoma income tax, based on a plan proposed by economist Arthur Laffer.[16] Holt also authored legislation to open up the Oklahoma Legislature to unprecedented transparency.[17] Holt also authored legislation that became law that barred welfare recipients from using illegal drugs.[18]

In 2012, the Oklahoma Republican Party named Holt one of Oklahoma's seven Republican members of the Electoral College (United States).[19]

In late 2012, Holt was credited with instigating Oklahoma's first state recognition of the Hanukkah holiday.[20]

2013

For the 2013-2014 legislative sessions, Holt was elected as a Majority Whip for the Senate Republican Caucus.[21] He was also named Vice Chair of the brand new Appropriations Subcommittee on Select Agencies.[22]

Holt introduced a "parent trigger" law for Oklahoma in the 2013 legislative session.[23] A similar law was depicted in the film Won't Back Down (film).

In 2013, Holt authored successful legislation that legalized "Black Friday" and other low-price sales in the state of Oklahoma.[24]

Holt spearheaded an effort to honor Ralph Ellison with a portrait in the Oklahoma Capitol.[25]

2014

In 2014, Holt was named to the national Legislative Leaders Advisory Board of GOPAC.[26]

Holt was awarded the "Legislative Champion" award by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.[27]

In 2014, Holt was awarded the "Sunshine Award" by Freedom of Information Oklahoma, for showing a commitment to transparency in government.[28]

Holt was awarded the "Guardian Award" by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women for his work on behalf of women and children.[29]

Holt was awarded the "Child Abuse Prevention Leadership Award" by Parent Promise.[30]

In 2014, Chuck Todd of NBC News reported on the politics of all 50 states, and named Holt one of two Republican "Rising Stars" in Oklahoma.[31]

2015

For the 2015 and 2016 sessions, Holt was named Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Select Agencies.[32]

In January 2015, Holt introduced a comprehensive election reform package he described as intended to boost voter turnout.[33] He successfully passed into law online voter registration for Oklahoma.[34]

In 2015, Holt authored legislation to allow Oklahoma City and Tulsa to charter schools.[35]

Holt was awarded the "Bulldog Award" from the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council for his work on addressing police videos taken from body-mounted cameras.[36]

Holt was a featured speaker at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in May, 2015, an event that featured most of the leading presidential candidates.[37]

In September, 2015, presidential candidate Marco Rubio named Holt his Oklahoma campaign chair.[38]

2016

Holt introduced a "sweeping proposal"[39] to increase Oklahoma teacher pay by $10,000 to bring it in line with the national average.[40]

Holt helped spearhead a successful effort to secure an American Ninja Warrior shoot at the Oklahoma Capitol.[41]

Holt authored successful legislation to create a "revenue stabilization fund" intended to minimize the effect of future revenue shortfalls. [42]

Big League City: Oklahoma City's Rise to the NBA

Big League City: Oklahoma City's Rise to the NBA is non-fiction political and sports book written by David Holt and published in 2012 by Full Circle Press.[43] It details the arrival of major league sports in Oklahoma City, culminating with the 2008 relocation of the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, after which the franchise became the Oklahoma City Thunder. That event made Oklahoma City a "big league city," as the title of the book states.[44] Holt, who was Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett's Chief of Staff during the time, believed that “the arrival of major league sports in Oklahoma City was the most significant positive development in the city’s history since the Land Run of 1889.”[45]

The book received a positive reception amongst the Oklahoma media. Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman wrote that "David Holt tells us how we got here." [45] The Oklahoma Gazette called the book a "fascinating historical account."[46] Kelly Ogle of KWTV-DT television noted during his regular "My 2 Cents" segment: "Holt's book is an enjoyable read, and a dandy little primer on the whirlwind ride this dusty old big league city has enjoyed over the last 25 years."[47]

The book was adopted in the fall of 2012 as part of the required curriculum at Putnam City North High School.[48]

Election results

2010 Oklahoma State Senate District 30 election[49]
Republican David Holt 5,125 63.59%
Republican Matt Jackson 2,934 36.41%
Turnout 8,059
Party Candidate Votes % ±

In 2014, Holt was re-elected without opposition.

References

  1. ↑ "Oklahoma's Rising Stars". MSNBC. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  2. 1 2 Benny Polacca, "Osage in Oklahoma City elected State Senator of District 30", Osage News, 27 August 2010
  3. ↑ "Grandad". David Holt blog. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  4. ↑ "Hall Capital hires Oklahoma state Sen. David Holt to lead new investor relations office". NewsOK.com. 2014-11-18. Retrieved 2014-11-21.
  5. ↑ "OCU President Robert Henry and Senator David Holt to Teach Honors Class". Oklahoma City University. 2011-11-10. Retrieved 2014-11-21.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Senator David Holt - District 30". Oksenate.gov. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  7. ↑ "Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park to take new stage downtown". City of Oklahoma City. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  8. ↑ "Haneborg, Holt team up for Myriad gala". Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  9. ↑ "Remembering 9/11: Locals recall tragic day, almost 10 years later". OKC Friday. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  10. ↑ "Re-elected". David Holt blog. 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  11. ↑ "Senate Republicans Elect Leadership Team". OKSenate.gov. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  12. ↑ "Now is the time to schedule more tax cuts". NewsOK.com. 2011-02-05. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  13. ↑ "Labor union debate heats up in Oklahoma Legislature". NewsOK.com. 2011-04-03. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  14. ↑ "Mid-session legislative awards". Oklahoma Gazette. 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  15. ↑ "Stretch of NW 23 has plenty to appeal to Route 66 tourists". The Oklahoman. 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  16. ↑ "Senators Introduce Laffer Plan to Phase Out Income Tax". The Oklahoma Republican Party. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  17. ↑ "Oklahoma Lawmakers Discuss Measure that would Shine Light on Legislature". The Oklahoman. 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  18. ↑ "Starting Nov. 1 all Oklahoma applicants for assistance must have drug screening". The Tulsa World. 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
  19. ↑ "Holt Chosen for Electoral College". OKC Friday. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  20. ↑ "Oklahoma Capitol to Celebrate Chanukah". This Land Press. 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
  21. ↑ "Senate Republicans Elect Leadership Team". Oklahoma Senate. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
  22. ↑ "President Pro-Tem Bingman Announces Committee Chairs and Vice Chair Assignments". Oklahoma Senate. 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  23. ↑ "Parent trigger law proposed to allow parents to overhaul underachieving schools". The Tulsa World. 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
  24. ↑ "Senator David Holt details "Black Friday" reform struggle". CapitolBeatOK. 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  25. ↑ "Ralph Ellison Portrait Planned for Oklahoma Capitol". KGOU. 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  26. ↑ "GOPAC Names Holt To Advisory Board". McCarville Report. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  27. ↑ "MS Society". Holt for Senate. 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  28. ↑ "Bartlesville residents, state senator, freedom of information educator receive FOI Oklahoma honors at Sunshine Week conference". Tulsa World. 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  29. ↑ "Guardian Award". Holt for Senate. 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  30. ↑ "Senator Holt Receives "Child Abuse Prevention Leadership Award"". Holt for Senate. 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  31. ↑ "Oklahoma's Rising Stars". MSNBC. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  32. ↑ "Senate President Pro Tempore Bingman announces committee chair and vice chair assignments". Oklahoma Senate. 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  33. ↑ "Oklahoma senator proposes measures to boost voter turnout". The Oklahoman. 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
  34. ↑ "Starting Nov. 1, officials begin to explore online registration". The Oklahoman. 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  35. ↑ "Charter school plan for Oklahoma City has supporters, detractors". The Oklahoman. 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2015-04-06.
  36. ↑ "Social Media: David Holt Via Instagram…". McCarville Report. 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  37. ↑ "Oklahoma legislators discuss opportunities on 'emerging leaders' panel". The Oklahoman. 2015-05-23. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  38. ↑ "Rubio Names David Holt Oklahoma State Chair". The Okie. 2015-09-02. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  39. ↑ "Teacher pay is front and center at Oklahoma Capitol". The Oklahoman. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
  40. ↑ "Oklahoma teachers would get $10K raise under bills filed by state senator". The Oklahoman. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
  41. ↑ "'American Ninja Warrior' to film episode at Oklahoma Capitol". The Oklahoman. 2016-02-20. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  42. ↑ "Lawmakers: New stabilization fund will help with future Oklahoma budgeting". The Oklahoman. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  43. ↑ "New Book Details Oklahoma City's Rise to 'Big League City' Status". The Oklahoman. 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  44. ↑ Holt, David. "Big League City". Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  45. 1 2 Tramel, Berry. "Oklahoma City Thunder: New book to chronicle OKC's ascension". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  46. ↑ Hoover, Brendan. "A new book details how OKC landed the Thunder". Oklahoma Gazette. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  47. ↑ Ogle, Kelly. "My 2 Cents: Book Chronicles OKC's Rise To The Big Leagues". KWTV-DT.
  48. ↑ "State Sen. David Holt reflects on Putnam North roots in book discussion". The Oklahoman. 2012-12-01. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
  49. ↑ "SUMMARY RESULTS: Primary Election -- July 27, 2010". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 2011-05-24.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Glenn Coffee		 Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 30th District
2010 – 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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