Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
September 15, 2019 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Ross Announces Campaign for District 68

Michael Ross is returning to the campaign trail. He will seek the office of State Representative for Oklahoma’s 68th District.

“Today is the start of something incredible, but it’s just the start,” Ross said in his announcement on Monday. “I am excited to enter this race and fight for our families, friends, and neighbors.”

Ross’s announcement emphasized his commitment to service. A career teacher, he is in his 16th year in Oklahoma’s public schools. His wife, Lindsay, is a former public school counselor, and his daughter, Claire, is presently a student in Jenks Public Schools.

“I’ve devoted my life to serving the people of Oklahoma, and I’ve spent it on the front lines,” Ross said. “Our schools are where the issues facing all Oklahomans, from healthcare to job prospects to criminal justice reform, come together, and it’s given me insight and focus that our current representation sorely lacks.”

Indicating that he intends to be a force for positive change in Oklahoma, Ross said he intends to use the race to address the state’s continued education crisis. Health care, economic growth, and criminal justice reform are also among Ross’s top priorities, he said, citing recent data on the matters as well as concerns from residents of House District 68.

“Working for the people of Oklahoma has long been a passion of mine,” Ross said, “and our friends and neighbors deserve a legislator who is in touch with their lives and will fight to improve their quality of life above all else.”

Ross previously sought the seat in 2018. He shocked the political world by running a grassroots campaign that outperformed expectations. In a field that began with nine candidates, he emerged as the Democratic nominee and earned thousands of votes in the November 2018 general election.

 

Michael Ross, Oklahoma, House District 68, State House, Tulsa, Jenks, West Tulsa, Candidate, Lonnie Sims
October 28, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Ross Stands Out As Most Qualified Candidate in 8/25 Forum (VIDEO)

In a candidate forum held last Thursday, Michael Ross stood out as the only candidate to offer a clear vision and leadership to address the challenges facing Oklahoma.

Ross, a public school teacher in his 15th year and father of a student in Jenks Public Schools, squared off against Heather Chenoweth, J. Lee Miller, and Lonnie Sims in a forum sponsored by the Bixby and Jenks PLACs, a grassroots parent advocacy group. It was the only forum of the general election and the first time all four candidates had been present since a similar forum in the spring. Chenoweth, Miller, and Ross previously met up in a town hall hosted by TCTA at Webster High School held during the primary season, to which Sims was invited but elected to not attend.

On topics ranging from the budget crisis to infrastructure to mental health services for students, Ross presented clear proposals with supporting data and evidence, while other candidates relied on vague statements, showing himself to be the candidate most well-prepared to handle the challenges of the legislature.

Video provided by the Bixby/Jenks PLAC.

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
August 29, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Ross Wins Runoff, Moves to November Ballot

In a come-from-behind victory on August 28th, Michael Ross won the Democratic runoff election to become the party’s nominee for House of Representatives, District 68.

Ross’s victory came after a nail-biting primary which resulted in a deficit for Ross. Hard work and grit turned the tide over the past two months, as Tuesday night’s final count found him at 54.76% of the vote to Angela Statum’s 45.24%.

Previously, Ross had compared the experience to the Rocky movies of the 1970s and 80s. “Rocky loses in the first one, but comes back in the second,” he said. “The runoff is my Rocky II.”

In releases Tuesday night, both candidates expressed appreciation for their supporters and for each other. The race was notable in the Tulsa area for being a “teacher vs. teacher” runoff, as both Ross and Statum are public school teachers in the area. Both candidates are avowed supporters of Oklahoma’s public schools, and look to November as a chance to reaffirm the state’s commitment to restoring education as a real priority in the halls of the Capitol.

“Angela and I marched together, we ran together, and now we stand together, united, and ready to fight for kids and families across our district and our state,” Ross said. “I’m proud to have her support.”

Ross will next appear on the November 6th general election ballot, facing three other candidates.

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
August 27, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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New Video: “What Drives a Teacher to Run?”

In a new video from the campaign trail, Michael reflects on his motivations for running. Take a look!

August 14, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Ross Endorsed by Oklahoma Public Employees Association

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives in District 68, has earned the endorsement of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

“Our members are glad to support candidates like Mr. Ross,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “We look forward to helping him win the runoff and working further with him on issues important to state employees.”

“I am incredibly honored to have the support of OPEA,” Ross said. “For over four decades, they have worked tirelessly to serve those who serve our state. From the DHS workers who advocate for the most vulnerable to the Health Department researchers whose efforts help keep Oklahoma safe from outbreaks to the Department of Corrections staff members who protect us from those who would do us harm, state employees give of their time and talents in the service of their state. I am proud to stand with them, and I am deeply honored to have their support.”

Ross continued by noting that, as this spring’s walkout by Oklahoma’s public school teachers loomed, OPEA was a steadfast partner throughout the two weeks of civic action.

“OPEA was by our side, every step of the way,” Ross said, “and I will never forget that. I was raised by a school teacher and a state employee, and I have always understood that the core values of service to your state and community run strong throughout the public sector. Ours is a shared vision for a better Oklahoma.”

“I cannot thank the members of OPEA enough for their support.”

OPEA is the latest endorsement for Ross, who has earned the support of former Sand Springs superintendent and Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame member Lloyd Snow as well as Roger Webb, past president of both the University of Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State University.

Michael Ross is a public school teacher entering his 15th year of service to Oklahoma’s families and children. He presently teaches at Charles Page High School in Sand Springs, OK. During his career, he has been honored for his leadership and dedication to his community and state. His wife, Lindsay, teaches in Tulsa Public Schools. The Rosses live in west Tulsa.

 

The full statement from the Oklahoma Public Employees Association:

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association Political Action Committee (OPEAPAC) recently announced the endorsement of Mr. Michael Ross (Tulsa) in the primary runoff for House District 68. OPEAPAC is the political action committee for the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA). It endorses candidates who have supported state employees and retirees in the past or whose candidacy demonstrates that improving state employment and core state services are a top priority for them.

“Our members are glad to support candidates like Mr. Ross,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “We look forward to helping him win the runoff and working further with him on issues important to state employees.”

Established in 1976, OPEA is comprised of approximately 8,000 active or retired state agency employees across Oklahoma working to improve state employment and the services provided by state agencies.

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
June 28, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Speaks with Channel 8 About the Runoff

As the campaign moves from the primary into the runoff, Michael had the opportunity to visit with KTUL Channel 8’s Angelica Brown about what the next few weeks hold. Check out the video above, or read the transcript here.

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
June 27, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Ross Celebrates Historic Democratic Primary, Advances to Runoff

In a historic vote, more than 3,000 Democrats and independent voters cast ballots in District 68’s first Democratic primary in over a decade.

The last time a Democrat ran for the seat was 2010. In that year’s general election, the candidate got 3,188 votes; the June 26th, 2018 primary drew an impressive 3,424 voters.

“This is an incredible moment,” Michael Ross said on Tuesday night. “I am so proud of the campaign we’ve run, and seeing how strong the get-out-the-vote effort has been is truly inspiring.”

Ross is one of two candidates who will next compete in an August 28th runoff to determine the party’s nominee. From there, the winner will appear on the general election ballot.

“I am excited to keep this campaign going forward, bringing a message of better education, better healthcare, and a better Oklahoma for everyone with us,” Ross continued. “We’re going to take that message all the way to Oklahoma City.”

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
June 12, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Participates in TCTA West Tulsa Forum; Next Forum is 6/21


On Monday, June 11th, Michael Ross was the only Democratic candidate for HD 68 to attend a candidate forum at Daniel Webster High School sponsored by Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA), as part of their “111th Mile.” The main focus of the forum was education, with candidates fielding a mixture of pre-selected questions and questions from audience members.

“I’m grateful to the TCTA for the invitation to participate,” Michael said. “Forums like this are yet another example of how teachers in the community are leading the way in civic engagement.”

In addition to educators and members of the community, television crews from Tulsa’s channels 6 and 8, the CBS and ABC affiliates respectively, attended, using footage from the HD 68 session in their 10pm broadcasts. Channel 6’s coverage can be found here, while Channel 8’s story can be found here.

TCTA’s “111th Mile” is a reference to the 110 mile walk undertaken by area educators during April’s teacher walkout. The name implies that teachers are now going the extra mile in service of their classrooms and communities.

Michael will join TCTA again on Thursday, June 21, in a second HD 68 forum to be held at Memorial High School. Find more information here.

Michael Ross, candidate for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68
May 27, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Stands Out at the Bixby & Jenks PLAC Candidate Forum

On Thursday, May 17th, the Parent Legislative Action Committees from Bixby and Jenks hosted a forum for legislative candidates focusing on education. All nine candidates for House District 68 participated, answering three pre-selected questions and, as time allowed, questions from the audience before giving a closing statement.

Thank you to the PLACs for hosting the event, and to the television production students who filmed!

May 15, 2018 Comments are off Ross4OK
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Michael Ross Endorsed by Past President of UCO, NSU

House District 68 candidate Michael Ross receives endorsement from W. Roger Webb, past president of the University of Central Oklahoma.

TULSA, OK (May 15, 2018) — Michael Ross, candidate for the Democratic nomination in the race for Oklahoma’s House District 68, announced Tuesday that he had been personally endorsed by W. Roger Webb, the past president of two of the state’s distinguished universities, the University of Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State University.
“I am thrilled to receive the support of President Webb,” Ross said. “During my time as a student and beyond, President Webb has been a teacher, mentor, and friend to me, and lessons learned under his guidance helped shape my commitment to serving others.”
“I intend to take those lessons and put them to work for the people of my district,” Ross added.
In a statement citing Ross’s dedication to his students and community, Webb indicated a strong belief in Ross’s leadership abilities.
 “It was obvious that [Ross] had a heart for teaching but he also possessed a quick perceptive mind and a deep understanding issues facing working people in Oklahoma,” Webb said in his statement.
“The voters of HD 68 will be well served by Michael Ross fighting for them at the state Capitol.”
Ross, a 14-year veteran classroom teacher who has spent the last five years at Charles Page High School in Sand Springs, is on the ballot in the Democratic primary. Voting will be held on Tuesday, June 26th.
House District 68 covers sections of West Tulsa, Jenks, Glenpool, Sapulpa, and more along Highway 75.
The full text of Roger Webb’s endorsement is below:
    “It has been my privilege to know Michael Ross for over 15 years since he was a member of the Presidents Leadership Class at the University of Central Oklahoma.  Michael was a leader in a class of outstanding leaders.  He was an excellent student but he exhibited maturity and insight far beyond his years.  It was obvious that he had a heart for teaching but he also possessed a quick perceptive mind and a deep understanding issues facing working people in Oklahoma.  Since his graduation I have been impressed with his strong work ethic, his commitment to public service, and devotion to family. The voters of HD 68 will be well served by Michael Ross fighting for them at the state Capitol.”
      Roger Webb
       Former President of NSU and UCO