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Melissa Provenzano
Melissa Provenzano (Democratic Party) is a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, representing District 79. She assumed office on November 21, 2018. Her current term ends on November 18, 2026.
Provenzano (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives to represent District 79. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Melissa Provenzano was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received a bachelor's degree in organismic biology from Northeastern State University in 1998 and an M.Ed. in educational leadership from the University of Oklahoma in 2010. Provenzano's career experience includes working as a teacher and a school administrator. Her organizational affiliations include the Cooperative Council of Oklahoma School Administration, Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Oklahoma Educators Association, and the Tulsa Area Secondary Schools Principals.[1][2]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Provenzano was assigned to the following committees:
- Administrative Rules Committee
- Appropriations and Budget Committee
- Common Education Committee (decommissioned)
- Government Modernization and Efficiency Committee (decommissioned)
- Judiciary - Civil Committee (decommissioned)
- Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee
- Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency
2021-2022
Provenzano was assigned to the following committees:
- Administrative Rules Committee
- Common Education Committee (decommissioned)
- County & Municipal Government Committee (decommissioned)
2019-2020
Provenzano was assigned to the following committees:
- Children, Youth & Family Services Committee (decommissioned)
- Common Education Committee (decommissioned)
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Melissa Provenzano defeated Paul Hassink in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Melissa Provenzano (D) | 54.6 | 7,227 |
 | Paul Hassink (R) | 45.4 | 6,015 | |
| Total votes: 13,242 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Provenzano advanced from the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Paul Hassink defeated Jenifer Stevens in the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on June 18, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Paul Hassink | 73.7 | 1,208 |
 | Jenifer Stevens | 26.3 | 430 | |
| Total votes: 1,638 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Provenzano in this election.
2022
See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Melissa Provenzano defeated Paul Hassink in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Melissa Provenzano (D) | 51.8 | 5,496 |
| Paul Hassink (R) | 48.2 | 5,104 | |
| Total votes: 10,600 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Provenzano advanced from the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Paul Hassink defeated Karen Gilbert and Stan Stevens in the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Paul Hassink | 52.1 | 1,552 |
 | Karen Gilbert | 38.2 | 1,137 | |
 | Stan Stevens | 9.7 | 288 | |
| Total votes: 2,977 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Provenzano's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
2020
See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Melissa Provenzano defeated Margie Alfonso in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Melissa Provenzano (D) | 51.8 | 8,301 |
 | Margie Alfonso (R) | 48.2 | 7,721 | |
| Total votes: 16,022 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Margie Alfonso defeated Clay Iiams in the Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on August 25, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Margie Alfonso | 59.4 | 2,267 |
| Clay Iiams | 40.6 | 1,549 | ||
| Total votes: 3,816 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Provenzano advanced from the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Clay Iiams and Margie Alfonso advanced to a runoff. They defeated Maria Mercedes Seidler in the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Clay Iiams | 46.5 | 1,493 | |
| ✔ | | Margie Alfonso | 28.8 | 924 |
 | Maria Mercedes Seidler | 24.8 | 795 | |
| Total votes: 3,212 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Provenzano's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2018
General election
General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Melissa Provenzano defeated Dan Hicks in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Melissa Provenzano (D) | 52.0 | 6,507 |
| Dan Hicks (R) | 48.0 | 6,007 | ||
| Total votes: 12,514 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Teresa Marler (Independent)
Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Dan Hicks defeated Karen Gilbert in the Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dan Hicks | 50.9 | 2,015 | |
| Karen Gilbert | 49.1 | 1,940 | |
| Total votes: 3,955 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Melissa Provenzano defeated Brian Pingleton in the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Melissa Provenzano | 73.5 | 2,794 |
| Brian Pingleton | 26.5 | 1,007 | ||
| Total votes: 3,801 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79
Karen Gilbert and Dan Hicks advanced to a runoff. They defeated Matthew Lee in the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karen Gilbert | 48.3 | 2,362 |
| ✔ | Dan Hicks | 44.9 | 2,194 | |
| Matthew Lee | 6.8 | 330 | ||
| Total votes: 4,886 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Melissa Provenzano did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Melissa Provenzano completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Provenzano's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Background:
Public School Teacher
School Administrator
Bachelor of Science - Organismic Biology
Master's Degree - Educational Leadership and Policy
Oklahoma Education Association 2022 Legislator of the Year
OK Dem Veterans 2022 Legislator of the Year
Tulsa native, married mom and stepmom
Current appointments: Democratic Education Policy Chair State Director, Women In Government (National) Emerging Legislative Leaders - Darden School of Business
Committees: House Common Education Committee House Appropriations and Budget on Common Education Joint Committee on Administrative Rules County and Municipal Government
Service Oklahoma Tag Agency Task Force- Legislator. Educator. Bipartisan Problem Solver.
- Education is the rising tide that lifts all ships.
- Proven track record of solving constituent issues, reaching across the aisle to get problems solved and bills passed
Health Care Access
Criminal Justice Reform
transparent
I am a Democrat and a heavily Republican state. I am effective in passing legislation because I collaborate, seek the opinion of other legislators, and am willing to compromise.
This is the way I got the following laws passed:
Fully covered diagnostic mammograms for all women
Student Loan Borrower's Bill of Rights
Teacher Professional Development Streamlining
Plus, kids are just a lot of fun! Helping them be their best is a joy.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
Melissa Provenzano completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Provenzano's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As a legislator, Melissa continues to bring this same commitment and voice, advocating for the people of Tulsa at the state capitol. The first half of the 57th legislative session brought much positive progress to our state. Working together across the aisle brought help to much needed support and help to working Oklahomans.
As a graduate of Northeastern State University with a BS in Organismic Biology and then from the University of Oklahoma with a MEd in Educational Leadership, Melissa honed her commitment to improving the lives of her fellow citizens by becoming an educator. First, as a Biology teacher at Will Rogers High, then as an administrator at Booker T Washington High, Hale Junior and Bixby High School.
Melissa worked tirelessly during her tenure as an educator to ensure that the children of Tulsa have access to a well-rounded social and academic school-going experience. Developing in each student the skills and abilities that allow them to be successful in life beyond high school as career and college-ready citizens is crucial to our long-term success.Healthy, productive, contributing citizens of Tulsa is the goal.
- I serve the residents of House District 79 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. How can I help you?
- Two years ago I ran for office during a different kind of crisis. Oklahoma educators sounded the alarm and many signed up to serve. I am proud of the work we have done thus far in beginning to right that ship on both sides of the aisle.
- Fast forward to today The COVID-19 Pandemic has touched us all. The systems in our state have been subjected to the same lack of attention as education due to a decade of cuts - and we are feeling the pain. I have spent more time talking to constituents than ever before and getting them connected to support systems. One thing has become very clear- my work here is far from done.
Restoring the professionally trained teacher pipeline ahead of the coming wave of teacher retirements.
Health Care Access that is transparent (ending surprised medical billing), accessible and fair for all.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2018
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
"If there is one thing the teacher walkout has revealed to me, it is that we, as Oklahomans, are not so far apart in our values and beliefs. As I stood on the Capitol lawn and on street corners in a demonstration with my peers, as well as when I visited with our state senators and representatives to encourage them to fully fund education, I was, and still am, profoundly moved by the level of support from our community. I saw support not only from parents and students but also from community organizations providing safe places to go as well as big and small business owners donating supplies, food, gas cards, and more. This collaboration tells me three things: 1. Oklahomans are more alike than they are different. 2. Oklahomans take care of one another. 3. We need more moderate voices in our Oklahoma House and Senate I want to be a voice for reason and fairness for the people of House District 79. I am Melissa Provenzano, and I am asking for your help and for your vote for Oklahoma House District 79 in the Democratic primary this June 26th. #Proven4Oklahoma" Is there anything you would like to add? Melissa is a lifelong Tulsa area native, married mom to two sons and stepmom to two daughters. As a graduate of Northeastern State University with a BS in Organismic Biology and then from the University of Oklahoma with a MEd in Educational Leadership, Melissa honed her commitment to improving the lives of her fellow citizens by becoming an educator. First, as a Biology teacher at Will Rogers High School, then as an administrator at Booker T Washington High School, Hale Junior High and now for Bixby High School. Melissa has worked tirelessly during her tenure as an educator to ensure that the children of Tulsa have access to a well-rounded social and academic school-going experience. Developing in each student the skills and abilities that allow them to be successful in life beyond high school as career and college-ready citizens is crucial to our long-term success. Healthy, productive, contributing citizens of Tulsa is the goal. The role of a school administrator means building a healthy culture and climate, providing support to teachers and students, setting high long-term goals and encouraging big ideas, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility, making tough choices, balancing countless budgets, and using data strategically when making decisions that impact the people you serve. It's time for Melissa to expand that supportive leadership role to the citizens of Tulsa.[3] |
” |
| —Melissa Provenzano[1] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Oklahoma scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Oklahoma State Legislature was in session from February 5 to May 30. Special sessions took place on January 29, 2024 and on July 15, 2024.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Oklahoma State Legislature was in session from February 6 to May 26.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Oklahoma State Legislature was in session from February 7 to May 27.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Oklahoma State Legislature was in session from February 1 to May 27.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Oklahoma State Legislature was in session from February 3 to May 22.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Oklahoma State Legislature was in session from February 4 through May 31.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 |
Officeholder Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on June 4, 2018
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 24, 2020
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Weldon Watson (R) |
Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 2018-Present |
Succeeded by - |
