Chris Kidd of Addington today announced his candidacy as a Republican for Senate District 31, a seat currently held by Senator Don Barrington who will leave the Senate next year due to term limits.
Chris Kidd is a 5th generation Oklahoman who is passionate about his native state, its people, its past, and its future. A conservative, Kidd is a strong believer in traditional marriage, the Second Amendment and the Right to Life.
The son of a rancher and a school teacher, Kidd believes there is no better place to live than in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma is a state of resilience, full of salt-of-the-earth individuals who deserve public servants committed to Oklahoma’s greater good,” said Kidd. “My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, a dedication to family and a deep Christian faith, and I would consider it an honor to represent the issues and values of Senate District 31, my home.”
A graduate of Waurika High School, Kidd received an Associate Degree in Agricultural Science from Murray State College, and then went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Kidd is also a graduate of the 2014 Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program.
Kidd served as the Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor at Waurika High School before beginning his career at Oklahoma Farm Bureau where he has remained for the past eight years. During his time at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Kidd has held the post of a Field Representative, the Director of State and National Affairs, and now serves as the Vice President of Membership and Organization. In addition to his work for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Kidd and his father operate a cattle ranch in southern Oklahoma.
“Having been raised on a farm in the 1980’s, I vividly remember seeing the struggles and hardships faced by farmers and ranchers during the 1980’s farm crisis,” said Kidd. “But I also remember the tenacity of those in agriculture, specifically my parents, and how they pressed forward to restore and secure everything they had fought for. Those years helped shape my character and my love for agriculture.”
Regardless of the different economic seasons Oklahoma has faced, Kidd knows that farmers and ranchers play a critical role in feeding and clothing our state and nation, as well as contributing billions of dollars to Oklahoma’s economy. Kidd believes agriculture is a sustaining force in our state and needs to be protected.
When it comes to education, Kidd believes that whatever level a teacher teaches, they will have a lasting impact on their students’ lives.
“My experience in the classroom affirmed for me that schools often provide opportunities and guidance that students are unable to receive anywhere else, including their own homes,” he said. “I believe it is imperative that Oklahoma provides adequate funding to our schools, but then also focuses on recruiting and retaining quality teachers who have the passion to make an impact on Oklahoma’s future generations. As a former teacher, I know the challenges our schools face and stand ready to be an advocate for education.”
When it comes to business, Kidd has experienced the ups and downs of owning an operation as well as the burdensome regulations entrepreneurs face on a daily basis.
“Small business owners need to be given the freedom to innovate and not be stifled with undue red tape,” Kidd added. “The response to a business-friendly climate, is a thriving economy and significant job growth.”
Kidd is a former Claypool Volunteer Fireman. He calls Addington home and is a member of Addington First Baptist Church.
