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Sen. Leewright begins four-year term in Senate

State Sen. James Leewright was sworn into office during a ceremony held Wednesday at the state Capitol.  He was re-elected to the District 12 Senate in the November general election held last week.  Leewright was first elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving two years in the House of Representatives. The Creek County Republican said he was honored to be returning to the Capitol.    

“We’ve come so far in just the two years I’ve served in the Senate.  We’ve ended the cycle of budget failures, reformed our budgeting process and pumped greatly needed resources into our public schools,” Leewright said.  “There’s more work to be done, but we have solid successes we can build on as we create an even more prosperous future for our state.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Greg Treat congratulated Leewright on his continued service in the Senate.

“Senator Leewright has done an excellent job representing his constituents at the Capitol.  I’m grateful for his public service and I know he will continue to be a strong voice on behalf of District 12,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

During the previous Legislature, Leewright served as Chair of the Business and Commerce Committee as well as serving on the Full Appropriations Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Retirement and Insurance and Transportation.

In the 2018 session, he authored legislation calling for performance audits on all state agencies to identify greater savings and efficiencies.   He also authored legislation expanding the Zone of Safety law to better protect the rights of victims.

The Senate will hold a one day organizational meeting on January 8, and the 2019 session will formally get underway on February 4.