Former Oklahoma Senate Pro-Tempore Brian Bingman announced Tuesday that he will seek the office of Corporation Commissioner, citing his experience as a businessman in the oil and gas industry, leader as a community servant and as a family man.
“Oklahomans deserve a brighter tomorrow. That begins today with creating a climate that attracts jobs and helps families and seniors who have subsisted for too long on stagnate and fixed incomes,” Bingman said.
“I understand that the state’s economy and job market are more than statistics. I know they directly affect the household budget, because I’ve rolled up my sleeves and earned a wage working in the oil patch for more than 37 years.”
Bingman began his career as a petroleum landman for Continental Oil Co., now Conoco-Phillips, soon after graduating from college. Today, he is vice president of land and operations for Uplands Resources.
He served 12 years in the Oklahoma Legislature, and was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Senate leader, a job he held for six years before being term-limited from office.
While in the Senate, Bingman was principal author of comprehensive workers compensation reform measures, which lowered rates for businesses statewide by instituting a new, administrative system and replaced a system whose opponents say enriched lawyers at the expense of businesses and workers. He also led an effort to increase the state’s investment in transportation infrastructure.
“I’ve tried to be fair and reasonable as a public servant, and I’ve led my family through trials and triumphs. My experience has taught me one thing for sure – the past doesn’t have to dictate the future,” Bingman said.
“Now is the time to move Oklahoma forward.”
Bingman has been married to Paula, a public school teacher, for 39 years. They have three children, two daughters, Annie Bilby and Rebecca Selle; and a son, the late Blake Bingman, and six grandchildren.
Bingman is a Republican.
