House of Representatives Speaker-elect Charles A. McCall today announced additional leadership appointments to serve during the 56th Legislature, naming assistant floor leaders and assistant whips.
“I have a great amount of faith and confidence in these members to help House Republicans carry out the agenda for the next two years,” said McCall, R-Atoka. “These members are capable and well respected by the House, and I know they are committed to helping us push forward a conservative, free-market agenda with the goal of making all Oklahomans more prosperous.”
McCall named state Representatives Mark McBride (R-Moore), Scott Biggs (R-Chickasha), Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City) and Mark Lepak (R-Claremore) as assistant floor leaders. Those members will be assisting state Representatives Katie Henke (R-Tulsa) and Glen Mulready (R-Tulsa), who were previously appointed, with the day-to-day activities of running the House floor. Earlier this month, Speaker McCall appointed state Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City) to serve as majority floor leader, a position responsible for reviewing legislation, determining which bills will be heard on the House floor and running the day-to-day floor activity.
McCall also named state Representatives Randy McDaniel (R-Oklahoma City), Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia), Jadine Nollan (R-Sand Springs), Elise Hall (R-Oklahoma City), Dustin Roberts (R-Durant), Michael Rogers (R-Broken Arrow), John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando), Ryan Martinez (R-Edmond), Tim Downing (R-Purcell) and Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa) as assistant whips. Those members will be assisting state Rep. Terry O’Donnell (R-Catoosa), who was previously appointed by Speaker McCall to serve as majority whip, a position responsible for assisting the floor leader and ensuring votes are in place and members in attendance. The whips also serve as a sounding boards for members who may have concerns about upcoming legislation and helps facilitate communication between membership during the legislative session.
The House convenes on January 3, 2017 for “Organizational Day” to certify newly elected members and formally elect House leadership. The House will reconvene on February 6 to begin the 56th Oklahoma Legislature.
