Longtime Enid physician Ross Vanhooser announced today his intention to seek the Republican nomination for the District 41 seat in the House of Representatives.
Vanhooser, a lifelong Republican, will be seeking his party’s nomination in the June 24 primary election. This is his first bid for public office.
“I have been blessed to work as an Enid physician for over 20 years. After much prayer and conversations with family and close friends, I feel the time is right to pursue the opportunity to represent the citizens of District 41. In order to devote the necessary time to campaign, I have scaled back my medical practice to pursue this exciting opportunity to serve in the legislature,” Vanhooser said.
“I believe I understand the issues and concerns facing the citizens of District 41. I hope to be one more conservative voice in the legislature prepared to successfully tackle the major issues confronting us as a state,” he added.
Vanhooser is a firm believer in smaller government at both the state and federal level. He believes that taxpers know how to spend their hard earned money better than politicians, and while portions of government are very necessary, it must also be held accountable for every penny that is spent. Believing that so many of the mandates pushed onto citizens and businesses by regulatory agencies of the federal government are crushing our lives, his efforts will be to return and maintain control to the State when it comes to issues that are important to our citizens. “Just like most Oklahomans I value personal responsibility, free speech, the right to own a gun, and the protection of the unborn,” Vanhooser said.
Elected by his colleagues as “Physician of the Year” in 2012, Vanhooser has a long and respected medical career in Garfield County. He has served as Chief of Medicine at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center as well as other capacities there, including Medical Director of Radiology, member of the Credentials Committee, and member of the Board of Directors.
Vanhooser currently serves on the Executive Board of the Garfield County Medical Society and is president-elect of the organization. He also serves on the board of The OSU Medical Cowboys.
Vanhooser obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Baylor University and his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He did his residency and fellowship in Radiology before being certified in 1991 by the American Board of Radiology. He is licensed in Oklahoma and Texas.
Among the many community and charitable activities Vanhooser has supported through the years are American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Enid Community Clinic, Enid Public Schools Foundation, Vietnam Wall Memorial Project, Enid Symphony Orchestra, 4 R Kids, Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, and the American Red Cross. He is active in the Garfield County Republican Party serving as State Committeeman.
Married to Dr. Alicia Vanhooser for 28 years, they have three children: Sydney who is married and in her first year of dental school at OUHSC; Shelby who is in his second year at OU, and Colby who is an Enid middle school student.
