Steve Russell (Oklahoma)

Steve Russell

Republican Party

Prior offices

Oklahoma State Senate District 45

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U.S. House Oklahoma District 5

Successor: Kendra Horn

Predecessor: James Lankford

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Elections and appointments

Last election

November 6, 2018

Education

Bachelor's

Ouachita Baptist University, 1985

Graduate

Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, 1998

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Personal

Religion

Christian: Baptist

Profession

Military

Contact

Campaign website

Personal website

Personal Twitter

Steve Russell (Republican Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2015. He left office on January 3, 2019.

Russell (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Russell previously served as a Republican member of the Oklahoma State Senate, representing District 45 from 2008 to 2012.

Biography

Russell earned his B.A. in public speaking from Ouachita Baptist University in 1985 and his M.A. in military history from the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1998. Russell served in the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel for 21 years. Russell received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Valorous Unit Award. He also holds Airborne and Ranger qualifications.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Russell's academic, professional, and political career:

• 2015-2019: U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District
• 2008-2012: Oklahoma State Senate
• 1985-2006: United States Army
• 1985: Graduated from Ouachita Baptist University

Prior to entering politics, Russell was an author and small business owner.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Russell was assigned to the following committees:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

2015-2016

Russell served on the following committees:

• Education and the Workforce Committee
  • Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
  • Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Subcommittee on the Interior
  • Subcommittee on National Security
• Armed Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Readiness
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces

Oklahoma State Senate

During the 2010-2011 legislative session, Russell served on the following committees:

2011

• Finance
• Health and Human Services
• Public Safety and Homeland Security
• Veterans and Military Affairs

2010

• Natural Resources and Regulatory Services (Appropriations) Subcommittee
• Business and Labor
• Public Safety and Homeland Security, Vice Chair
• Retirements and Insurance
• Veterans and Military Affairs

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, click here.

• Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))

   Bill Passed (213-211) on June 21, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program.

  Voted Nay on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)

   Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018

  Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border.

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

  Reauthorizes through FY2023 and modifies some Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.

  Voted Yea on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)

   Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017

  Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

  Voted Yea on: Kate's Law (HR 3004)

   Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017

  Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally.

  Voted Yea on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)

   Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017

  Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws.

  Voted Yea on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

   Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017

  Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

• Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.

  Voted Yea on: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (377-20) on September 13, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.

  Voted Yea on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.

  Voted Yea on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)

   Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018

  Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

   Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

   Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)

   Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

   Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

   Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

   Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)

   Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017

  Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.

  Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017

  Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.

  Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate's budget resolution.)

  Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027.

  
  

  Voted Yea on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)

   Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017

  Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills.

  Voted Nay on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

   Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017

  Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.

  Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)

   Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017

  Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.

  Voted Yea on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)

   Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017

  Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts.

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

   Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017

  Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.

• Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)

   Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

   Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

  
  

  Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017

  Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths.

  Voted Yea on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)

   Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017

  Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

   Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)

   Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)

   Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017

  Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority.

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)

   Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017

  The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

114th Congress The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session. For more information pertaining to Russell's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections. Economic and fiscal Trade Act of 2015 See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015 Trade adjustment assistance On June 12, 2015, the House rejected the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302. Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged with trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Russell was one of 158 Republicans to vote against TAA. Trade promotion authority On June 12, 2015, the House passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill including trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Russell was one of 54 Republicans to vote against the measure. Trade promotion authority second vote After the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) and trade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass the House together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment to HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except for Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Russell was one of 50 Republicans to vote against the amendment. Trade adjustment assistance second vote The House passed HR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. The Senate packaged trade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along with trade promotion authority (TPA), which Congress passed as part of HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Russell was one of 132 Republicans to vote against HR 1295. Defense spending authorization On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Russell voted with 227 other Republicans and 41 Democrats to approve the bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015. On November 5, 2015, the House passed S 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Russell voted with 234 other Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill. On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015. 2016 Budget proposal On April 30, 2015, the House voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183 Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Russell voted with 225 other Republicans to approve the bill. 2015 budget On October 28, 2015, the House passed HR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017. Russell voted with 166 Republicans against the bill. It passed the Senate on October 30, 2015. President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015. Foreign Affairs Iran nuclear deal See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015 On May 14, 2015, the House approved HR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Russell voted with 222 other Republican representatives to approve the bill. Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action On September 11, 2015, the House rejected HR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approving the nuclear agreement with Iran. Russell voted with 243 Republicans and 25 Democrats against the bill. Suspension of Iran sanctions relief On September 11, 2015, the House approved HR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Russell voted with 244 Republicans and two Democrats for the bill. Presidential non-compliance of section 2 On September 10, 2015, the House passed H Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. House Republicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Russell voted with 244 Republicans for the resolution. Export-Import Bank On October 27, 2015, the House passed HR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods. Russell voted with 126 Republicans and 186 Democrats in favor of the bill. Domestic USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revised HR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Russell voted with 195 Republicans and 142 Democrats to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Russell voted with 237 Republicans in favor of the bill. Cyber security On April 23, 2015, the House passed HR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies. Russell voted with 219 Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill. On April 22, 2015, the House passed HR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116. The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Russell voted with 201 Republicans and 105 Democrats in favor of the bill. Immigration On November 19, 2015, the House passed HR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137. The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Russell voted with 241 Republicans and 47 Democrats in favor of the bill.

Elections

2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5

Kendra Horn defeated incumbent Steve Russell in the general election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kendra Horn (D)	50.7	121,149
		Steve Russell (R)	49.3	117,811

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 238,960 (100.00% precincts reporting)
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Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5

Kendra Horn defeated Tom Guild in the Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kendra Horn	75.8	22,067
		Tom Guild	24.2	7,043

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 29,110
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kendra Horn	44.2	34,892
✔		Tom Guild	18.0	14,251
		Elysabeth Britt	13.6	10,752
		Eddie Porter	9.9	7,844
		Leona Kelley-Leonard	8.5	6,697
	Submit photo	Tyson Todd Meade	5.7	4,530

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 78,966
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5

Incumbent Steve Russell defeated Gregory Dunson and DeJuan Edwards in the Republican primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 5 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Russell	83.6	66,030
	Submit photo	Gregory Dunson	9.7	7,642
	Submit photo	DeJuan Edwards	6.7	5,290

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 78,962
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Steve Russell (R) defeated Al McAffrey (D) and Zachary Knight (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Russell defeated Frank Volpe in the Republican primary. McAffrey defeated Tom Guild in the Democratic primary runoff on August 23, 2016. Guild and McAffrey had previously defeated Leona Leonard in the Democratic primary. The primary elections took place on June 28, 2016.

U.S. House, Oklahoma District 5 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Steve Russell Incumbent	57.1%	160,184
	Democratic	Al McAffrey	36.8%	103,273
	Libertarian	Zachary Knight	6.1%	17,113
Total Votes				280,570
Source: Oklahoma State Election Board

U.S. House, Oklahoma, District 5 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Steve Russell Incumbent	80.3%	27,436
Frank Volpe	19.7%	6,721
Total Votes		34,157
Source: Oklahoma State Election Board

U.S. House, Oklahoma, District 5 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Al McAffrey	36.8%	10,013
Tom Guild	36.8%	10,000
Leona Leonard	26.4%	7,190
Total Votes		27,203
Source: Oklahoma State Election Board

U.S. House, Oklahoma, District 5 Democratic Runoff Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Al McAffrey	50.1%	8,032
Tom Guild	49.9%	7,988
Total Votes		16,020
Source: Oklahoma State Election Board

2014

See also: Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District elections, 2014

In 2014, Russell won election to the U.S. House to represent Oklahoma's 5th District. Russell and Patrice Douglas were the highest vote recipients in the Republican primary on June 24, 2014. They defeated Harvey Sparks, state Rep. Mike Turner, state Sen. Clark Jolley and Shane Jett. Russell then defeated Douglas in the August 26, 2014, Republican runoff. Russell defeated Al McAffrey (D) and independent candidates Buddy Ray, Tom Boggs and Robert Murphy in the general election. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

U.S. House, Oklahoma District 5 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Steve Russell	60.1%	95,632
	Democratic	Al McAffrey	36.3%	57,790
	Independent	Buddy Ray	0.9%	1,470
	Independent	Tom Boggs	1.3%	2,065
	Independent	Robert Murphy	1.4%	2,176
Total Votes				159,133
Source: Oklahoma State Election Board

U.S. House, Oklahoma District 5 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Steve Russell	26.6%	14,597
Patrice Douglas	24.5%	13,440
Clark Jolley	16.8%	9,226
Mike Turner	14.1%	7,757
Shane Jett	12.8%	7,019
Harvey Sparks	5.3%	2,895
Total Votes		54,934
Source: Results via Associated Press

U.S. House, Oklahoma District 5 Runoff Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Steve Russell	59.3%	19,371
Patrice Douglas	40.7%	13,315
Total Votes		32,686
Source: Results via Associated Press

Endorsements

Russell was endorsed by the following people:

• Maj. General Rita Aragon, Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs
• State Auditor & Inspector Gary Jones
• Rep. Jim Bridenstine
• Mark Costello, Oklahoma Labor Commissioner
• Generals (Ret.) Richard “Dick” Burpee, Billy Bowden and Jay Edwards
• Lt. Gen Jerry Boykin (Ret.), Former Delta Force Commander and Current Executive Vice President, Family Research Council

Media

Steve Russell, "Change Washington."

Polls

Republican runoff
Poll	Patrice Douglas	Steve Russell	Undecided	Margin of Error	Sample Size
JMC Analytics and Polling July 28, 2014	28%	42%	31%	+/-5.3	334
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Republican primary
Poll	Patrice Douglas	Clark Jolley	Mike Turner	Steve Russell	Shane Jett	Harvey Sparks	Undecided	Margin of Error	Sample Size
SoonerPoll.com May 5-10, 2014	11.6%	11.4%	11.2%	7.4%	5.5%	3.7%	49.1%	+/-3.77	671
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

2012

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2012

Russell did not run for re-election in 2012.

2008

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2008

Russell won election to the Oklahoma State Senate, District 45. He raised $173,769 for this campaign, in which he defeated four primary opponents and ran unopposed in the general election.

Campaign themes

2016

The following issues were listed on Russell's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

“	Economy: The Federal Government does not have a revenue problem; it has a severe spending problem. We cannot find a solution to our economic uncertainty through higher taxation. Historically, we know as a nation that when we choose to increase taxes on families and businesses during recessions, it has stifled growth. National Debt: Americans from both sides of the aisle know we are facing a crisis due to our accumulation of debt, but very few know how indebted we have truly become. Obamacare: The real problem with Obamacare extends far beyond website glitches and security breaches. Congress and the President are forcing each of us - for the first time in our nation’s history - to buy a government product or face a financial penalty. Virtue: Virtue is perhaps our most important and least appreciated principle of government. Our Constitution provides that our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are God-given. By attempting to remove God from our society, we are declaring that it is the government who gives us our rights. If we permit government the ‘power’ to grant us our rights, government will also have the power to take them away. Constitution: Since entering the service at 18, I have pledged to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, even with my life. The people are the strength of our nation, not the government. In a free society, people do not require constitutional authority to act - government does.	”
—Steve Russell's campaign website, http://www.steverussellforcongress.com/home.html

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Steve Russell campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2018	U.S. House Oklahoma District 5	Lost general	$955,959	$891,903
2016	U.S. House, Oklahoma District 5	Won	$855,662	N/A**
2014	U.S. House (Oklahoma, District 5)	Won	$847,747	N/A**
Grand total			$2,659,368	$891,903
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Analysis

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Russell missed 5 of 548 roll call votes from January 2015 to September 2015. This amounted to 0.9 percent, which was lower than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Russell and his wife, Cindy, have five children.

See also

• United States House of Representatives
• Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District election, 2018
• Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District election, 2016
• Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District elections, 2014
• Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Biography from Project Vote Smart
• Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
• Campaign contributions: 2010, 2008

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by James Lankford (R)	U.S. House of Representatives - Oklahoma, District 5 2015-2019	Succeeded by Kendra Horn
Preceded by '	Oklahoma State Senate District 45 2008–2012	Succeeded by Kyle D. Loveless (R)

[show]

Oklahoma's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

James Lankford (R)

Markwayne Mullin (R)

Representatives

District 1

Kevin Hern (R)

District 2

Josh Brecheen (R)

District 3

Frank Lucas (R)

District 4

Tom Cole (R)

District 5

Stephanie Bice (R)

Republican Party (7)