Woodward County native Rochelle Covington today announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination in House District 58. House Speaker Jeff Hickman will vacate the seat next year due to term limits.
“Western Oklahoma is my home,” Covington said. “I was born and raised here. From our churches, schools and small towns, to our farms and family businesses, there is nowhere I love more, and am invested in more, than right here in Western Oklahoma.”
“My campaign is about the future,” Covington said. “Our next state Representative needs more than just conservative values, which I certainly have.”
“We need a 21st Century leader – someone who not only appreciates our past but also has a vision for our future. They must have the energy, knowledge and commitment to effectively represent us at the Capitol,” Covington said.
“I make this promise to the voters of House District 58. My entire focus in the State House will be to help build a brighter future for Western Oklahoma. No one will work harder for the people of our area than me.”
Deep Western Oklahoma Roots
Covington’s family has lived in Northwest Oklahoma since statehood. Covington, her husband, Dave, and their girls, Chloe, 7, and Sophie, 4, live in Woodward, where the girls attend public school.
Serving Oklahomans in Times of Crisis with the State Insurance Department
Covington serves as the Western Oklahoma Field Representative for State Insurance Commissioner John Doak and the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Covington works with local leaders in a 23 county area west of Oklahoma City, promoting disaster preparedness and insurance literacy. Her work in response to the 2013 tornadoes, assisting victims with claims, clean up and rebuild, was recognized with a commendation issued by Governor Mary Fallin.
As part of her job, Covington regularly works at the state Capitol, following legislation and communicating with area legislators on issues important to Western Oklahoma. “This experience will help me be an effective representative from Day 1,” Covington said. “I know the process and already have strong relationships at the Capitol.”
An Education and Small Business Family
Covington’s mom has taught special education in Woodward Public Schools for over twenty years, and her dad worked in the oil field.
For many years, Dave’s family has run Covington Customs, custom motorcycle builders, plus a parts manufacturing and distribution business and body shop. In addition to her previous work for the Oklahoma Economic Development Authority’s Workforce Board in Woodward, helping with the family business has given Covington a strong understanding of what it takes to meet budgets, make payrolls and create jobs in Western Oklahoma.
A Lifetime in Agriculture
Covington holds an Agricultural Communications degree from Oklahoma State University. She attended OSU on state and local FFA and 4-H scholarships. Covington grew up working cattle and crops on her grandmother’s farm south of Woodward, and she still helps out there today.
Active in Her Church and Community
Covington attends Woodward First Baptist, the church she grew up in. She teaches 1st grade Sunday School, helps in the nursery and works with girls grade 3-6 on Wednesday evenings through the Awanas program. Covington’s decisions at the Capitol will be guided by her Christian faith.
Covington previously worked as the Regional Marketing Executive for Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, where she coordinated events for more than 600 girls and adults. Covington has also worked as an elementary school tutor, is a Leadership Woodward graduate, and is a member of the Woodward Chamber of Commerce, Woodward United Fund Executive Board, Oklahoma Academy, Recovery Woodward Executive Committee and the NRA.
A Reagan Conservative
Covington is Chairman of the Woodward County Republican Party. Covington said her agenda includes supporting traditional marriage and the right to life, lower taxes and regulation to spur business growth, opposing ObamaCare and Common Core, supporting the 2nd Amendment, standing up for seniors, agriculture and small towns, cutting welfare and encouraging work.
Endorsements
Community leaders across the area are already expressing support for Covington.
Concha Herrera, a Freedom school board member, said “Rochelle brings the strong conservative values, knowledge and experience I look for in a candidate. She will be an outstanding state rep for our schools and communities.”
Matt Gard of Fairview, who owns and operates Flying G Farms, said, “Rochelle’s Western Oklahoma roots and knowledge of agriculture make her a perfect fit. She’s exactly the kind of honest and hard-working person I want representing us at the Capitol.”
For more information contact Covington at (580) 216-5797 or visit her website at www.CovingtonforHouse.com.
