Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 is represented by Aletia Haynes Timmons (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Oklahoma state representatives represented an average of 39,243 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 37,276 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits.[1] Representatives may not serve more than 12 consecutive years between both chambers of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Oklahoma legislators assume office 15 days following the general election.[2][3]
Qualifications
Article 5, Section 17 of the Oklahoma Constitution states: "Members of the Senate shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and members of the House of Representatives twenty-one years of age at the time of their election. They shall be qualified electors in their respective counties or districts and shall reside in their respective counties or districts during their term of office."[4]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $47,500/year | $174/day |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Oklahoma legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Oklahoma Term Limits Act in 1990. That initiative limits Oklahoma state legislators to no more than twelve years in the Oklahoma State Legislature. These 12 years can be served in any combination of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[6]
The first year that the term limits enacted in 1990 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2004.
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Oklahoma State Legislature, the governor must call a special election no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs. No special election can be called if the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year and if the term of office will expire in that year. This second provision allows special elections to be held for outgoing senators with two or more years left in their terms.[7]
If a senator announces his or her resignation before March 1 but the effective date lies between the general election and the new session, a special election can be held on the general election dates. The winner of this election will take office upon the senator's official resignation. This only applies to senators with two or more years remaining in their terms.[7]
See sources: Oklahoma Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 12-106
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed new legislative maps into law on November 22, 2021.[8] The Senate approved the Senate map in a 46-1 vote on November 17, 2021, and the House approved the Senate map 95-1 on November 19, 2021.[9] The House approved the House map 88-3 on November 17, 2021, and the Senate approved the House map 44-2 on November 19, 2021.[10]These maps took effect for Oklahoma's 2022 legislative elections.
How does redistricting in Oklahoma work? In Oklahoma, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Oklahoma State Legislature. These lines may be vetoed by the governor.[11]
If the legislature is unable to approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines. The commission comprises the following seven members:[11]
- The governor appoints one Republican and one Democrat.
- The majority leader of the Oklahoma State Senate appoints one Republican and one Democrat.
- The majority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives appoints one Republican and one Democrat.
- The lieutenant governor serves as the non-voting chair of the commission.
The Oklahoma Constitution requires that state Senate district boundaries take into account "population, compactness, area, political units, historical precedents, economic and political interests, contiguous territory, and other major factors."[11]
The redistricting committee of the state House adopted redistricting guidelines similar to the senatorial district requirements described above. These guidelines apply to state House and congressional districts, as well. These guidelines may be amended by the state legislature at its discretion.[11]
Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
until November 22, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
starting November 23, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2025
A special primary election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 was held on June 10, 2025. A general election was scheduled for September 9, 2025, but was canceled after only Democratic candidates filed for the seat and a winner was elected outright in the primary. A primary runoff was scheduled to take place on August 12, 2025, but was not needed. The candidate filing deadline was April 23, 2025.[12]
The seat became vacant after Jason Lowe (D) announced his resignation, effective April 7, 2025.[13]
Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
Aletia Haynes Timmons won election outright against JeKia Harrison in the special Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 on June 10, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Aletia Haynes Timmons | 59.1 | 1,225 |
 | JeKia Harrison  | 40.9 | 848 | |
| Total votes: 2,073 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2024
See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2024
Democratic primary election
The primary election was canceled. Jason Lowe (D) won the election without appearing on the ballot.
2022
General election
General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent Jason Lowe defeated Lisa Janloo in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jason Lowe (D) | 72.4 | 8,367 |
| Lisa Janloo (R) | 27.6 | 3,186 | ||
| Total votes: 11,553 | |||
| = 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 Jason Lowe advanced from the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Lisa Janloo advanced from the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97.
2020
General election
General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent Jason Lowe defeated Ben Janloo in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jason Lowe (D) | 71.3 | 11,462 |
| Ben Janloo (R) | 28.7 | 4,607 | ||
| Total votes: 16,069 | |||
| = 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 Jason Lowe advanced from the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Ben Janloo advanced from the Republican primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97.
2018
General election
The general election was canceled. Incumbent Jason Lowe won election in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent Jason Lowe advanced from the Democratic primary for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jason Lowe |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 15, 2016. Incumbent Mike Shelton (D) did not seek re-election.
Jason Lowe defeated Tonni Canaday in the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 general election.[14]
| Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 97 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Jason Lowe |
73.49% | 11,420 | |
| Republican | Tonni Canaday | 26.51% | 4,119 | |
| Total Votes | 15,539 | |||
| Source: Oklahoma State Election Board | ||||
Jason Lowe and Chris Harrison defeated Camal Pennington and Willis Washington in the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 Democratic primary.[15][16]
| Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 97 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Jason Lowe |
46.45% | 1,676 | |
| Democratic | Chris Harrison |
25.36% | 915 | |
| Democratic | Camal Pennington | 25.19% | 909 | |
| Democratic | Willis Washington | 2.99% | 108 | |
| Total Votes | 3,608 | |||
Jason Lowe defeated Chris Harrison in the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 Democratic primary runoff.[17]
| Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 97 Democratic Primary Runoff, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Jason Lowe |
56.70% | 1,829 | |
| Democratic | Chris Harrison | 43.30% | 1,397 | |
| Total Votes | 3,226 | |||
Tonni Canaday defeated Dan N. Stankiewicz in the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 Republican primary.[15][16]
| Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 97 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Tonni Canaday |
59.80% | 415 | |
| Republican | Dan N. Stankiewicz | 40.20% | 279 | |
| Total Votes | 694 | |||
2014
Elections for the Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 11, 2014. Incumbent Mike Shelton defeated Bruce Fisher in the Democratic primary, while Tonni Canaday was unopposed in the Republican primary. Shelton defeated Canaday in the general election.[18][19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Shelton Incumbent |
78.4% | 7,888 | |
| Republican | Tonni Canaday | 21.6% | 2,176 | |
| Total Votes | 10,064 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Mike Shelton Incumbent |
80.5% | 2,861 |
| Bruce Fisher | 19.5% | 691 |
| Total Votes | 3,552 | |
2012
Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 26, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 13, 2011. Incumbent Mike Shelton (D) was unopposed in both the general election and Democratic primary.[21][22]
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 raised a total of $908,913. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $28,404 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $36,673 | 1 | $36,673 |
| 2022 | $54,994 | 2 | $27,497 |
| 2020 | $48,686 | 2 | $24,343 |
| 2018 | $10,251 | 1 | $10,251 |
| 2016 | $129,047 | 6 | $21,508 |
| 2014 | $88,800 | 3 | $29,600 |
| 2012 | $32,510 | 1 | $32,510 |
| 2010 | $44,653 | 1 | $44,653 |
| 2008 | $64,583 | 2 | $32,292 |
| 2006 | $63,603 | 4 | $15,901 |
| 2004 | $181,955 | 6 | $30,326 |
| 2002 | $60,797 | 1 | $60,797 |
| 2000 | $92,361 | 2 | $46,181 |
| Total | $908,913 | 32 | $28,404 |
See also
- Oklahoma State Legislature
- Oklahoma State Senate
- Oklahoma House of Representatives
- Oklahoma state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ termlimits.org, "State legislative term limits," accessed December 18, 2013
- ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 80.35.14," accessed November 2, 2021
- ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 141 ," accessed November 2, 2021
- ↑ Oklahoma Legislature, "Oklahoma Constitution- Article V, Section 17," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedlimits - ↑ 7.0 7.1 Justia US Law, "2014 Oklahoma Statutes Title 26. Elections §26-12-106. Vacancies in the Legislature," accessed February 3, 2023 (Statute 26-12-106(A), Oklahoma Statutes)
- ↑ Oklahoma Office of the Governor, "Governor Kevin Stitt Signs Six Redistricting Bills into Law," November 22, 2021
- ↑ Oklahoma Legislature, "SB 1," accessed November 23, 2021
- ↑ Oklahoma Legislature, "HB 1001," accessed November 23, 2021
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 All About Redistricting, "Oklahoma," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ Oklahoma Governor, "Executive Proclamation," April 7, 2025
- ↑ State of Oklahoma - House of Representatives, "Lowe announces departure from legislature," April 7, 2025
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Federal, State, Legislative and Judicial Races General Election — November 8, 2016," accessed November 28, 2016
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Oklahoma State Election Board, "2016 Candidate List Book (Official List of Candidates)," accessed April 18, 2016
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Oklahoma State Election Board, "Official Results - Primary Election," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, “Official results for runoff primary races — August 23, 2016,” accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Candidates for State Elective Officials 2014," accessed April 15, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Official Results Statewide Primary Election — June 24, 2014," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Official General Election Results, Federal, State, Legislative and Judicial Races — November 4, 2014," accessed November 5, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Official General Election Results," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Official Primary Election Results," accessed October 28, 2013
