OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus selected the senator who will fill the position of pro tem designee, succeeding Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat after he terms out of the position.
Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, will be the pro tem designee after Treat, R-Oklahoma City, terms out of office in November, according to Treat’s office.
Treat, who won his District 47 State Senate seat in a 2011 special election, has been the pro tem since 2019 and was re-elected to the position in 2021 and 2023.
“I am proud of my time as a Senator and for my time as the leader of the Oklahoma Senate,” Treat said. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve in this position and something I will never forget or take for granted. We’ve been able to achieve a lot of things in my time as pro tem including constitutional carry; protecting women’s sports; creating LOFT as the legislative watchdog; landmark school choice; unprecedented investment in public education; ending abortion on demand; creating record savings; and, ending the Developmental Disabilities Services Waiting List – just to name a few. I still have a lot that I want to accomplish as I attempt to finish strong.”
Treat said he supports the caucus’ choice.
“I’m pleased that our caucus choose Senator McCortney as the Pro Tem Designee and I’ll continue to work closely with him to help him prepare for this role. I am forever grateful that former Pro Tem Mike Schulz set a great example and did that for me,” Treat said. “No one is better fit to serve in this role than my friend Sen. Greg McCortney. I have entrusted him with many things as a member of my leadership team, and he has proven himself an effective leader and can navigate difficult political waters. Sen. McCortney has been a trusted confidant and someone I consider a true friend.”
McCortney is an Ada native and third-generation Oklahoman. He has a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University and a master’s of divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He was an Ada City Council member and served two terms as Ada’s mayor.
He was elected to the Senate in 2016. He was appointed the Senate’s majority floor leader, the second highest leadership position, in 2021. As majority floor leader, he serves as an ex-officio of all Senate committees alongside Treat.
McCortney praised Treat’s leadership.
“Pro Tem Treat is one of the most effective leaders I have ever worked with,” Sen. McCortney said. “He has been a great friend and has taught me from early on what true leadership looks like. I am beyond humbled and honored to be elected by my peers to serve in this role.”
He said he will work to bring Republicans in the legislature together.
“I appreciate the members of the Senate Republican Caucus who voted for me, and even those who didn’t,” McCortney said. “I want to continue to unite our party and work toward our common goals. While I know there will be challenges and difficulties ahead, we all want the same thing – what is best for all Oklahomans. While I am in this position, I will never stop fighting to uphold this promise and do what it takes to make Oklahoma the best state possible.”
