South Oklahoma City businessman Brian Walters announced today that he will be a Republican candidate in the special election to fill the vacant Senate District 45 seat.
“Given the financial problems our state government faces, we need people with real-world experience dealing with large-scale financial forecasting and budgeting,” Walters said. “I have an extensive background in financial planning and business development. That quality is glaringly lacking at the Oklahoma Capitol, which is one reason the state keeps generating huge shortfalls year-in and year-out.”
Walters is owner of an estate settlement service company, helping families deal with the challenges of addressing business and estate issues after losing a loved one. Prior to that, Walters was Director of Finance and Administration for a farm equipment company, overseeing more than $100 million in revenue. In that position, he developed analytics and benchmarks for monthly operating results and financial reviews including budgets, revenue and inventory forecasts. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for financial operations at several business organizations.
“I don’t agree with politicians who claim Oklahomans are undertaxed,” Walters said. “I believe state government’s fiscal problems are primarily the result of our politicians’ poor financial practices and the failure to match spending with revenue. I know what it takes to develop budgets for large operations and produce results, not deficits. I will work to do the same thing for state government.”
A lifelong Republican, Walters believes his strong core conservative values – pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-free enterprise – strongly match those of District 45 voters.
Walters previously served on the Oklahoma City Council from 2007 to 2011, giving him an understanding of government finance and processes as well as his extensive private-business expertise.
Walters is active in the community, serving as president of his home owners’ association and treasurer of the Westmoore High School Boys Soccer Booster Club.
Walters earned both his undergraduate business degree in finance and MBA from the University of Oklahoma. He is actively working toward becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
Walters, 41, and his wife, Kindell live in south Oklahoma City. Walters has two teenage children: Alex and Ashton. They attend LifeChurch.
The special election for SD 45 begins with the filing period June 5-7. The special primary election will be August 8, with the special general election scheduled for November 14.
While many may know, why is there a race in District 45, after all the elections planned, it might be nice for a reference on who left or resigned. This is the Loveless seat, right?
Yes. This is the seat left open by the resignation of Kyle Loveless.