OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, was elected by his peers on Wednesday to serve as the Oklahoma Senate’s Majority Whip.
The 39-member Senate Republican Caucus held leadership elections during a retreat this week in Oklahoma City. After previously serving as an assistant whip, Coleman ran unopposed in his bid for majority whip.
Coleman will play a critical role in coordinating legislative strategy by leading the GOP whip team in ensuring party discipline and shoring up the caucus’ votes before legislation comes up on the Senate floor. Coleman will help determine whether the Republican caucus has enough votes to pass legislation and will serve as a liaison between Senate leadership and rank-and-file members when disputes arise on certain bills.
“I’m incredibly grateful that my colleagues elected me to serve as the Senate’s Majority Whip,” Coleman said. “While Republicans hold clear supermajorities in both legislative chambers, whips are key to ensuring party unity and cohesion that can help get major legislation across the finish line. I look forward to serving in this new leadership position, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Coleman will officially begin in this new role on Jan. 7, 2025, when the 60th session of the Oklahoma Legislature kicks off with an Organizational Day. Lawmakers in both chambers will spend that day formally electing their legislative leaders and adopting rules for the new session.
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For more information, contact: Sen. Bill Coleman at (405) 521-5581 or email Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov