OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus selected Sen. Lonnie Paxton to succeed Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat as the Senate’s leader after Treat terms out of the position later this year.
The Republican Caucus voted on Monday in favor of Paxton becoming the Oklahoma Senate’s next pro tem.
Paxton, R-Tuttle, will be the pro tem designee after Treat, R-Oklahoma City, terms out of office in November.
“Senator Paxton has done a great job during his tenure as a Senator in serving in various roles including his efforts on redistricting and has brought thoughtful insight to the Senate Republican Caucus leadership team,” Treat said. “I have no doubt he will uphold the office of the pro tem, set high standards and continue our efforts to make Oklahoma the best place to live, work and raise a family. As I reach the end of my term in office, I am happy to provide guidance and prepare Senator Paxton to the best of my ability to be successful in this role moving forward.”
Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, was selected in February to be the new pro tem, but he will not be able to fill the position because he lost his Republican primary race in June.
Paxton said he is honored to succeed Treat as Senate leader.
“First and foremost, I appreciate my Senate Republican colleagues for their confidence in me to assume this role,” Paxton said. “I also thank current Pro Tem Treat for his willingness to guide me and show me how to be effective in this role as he has been. Pro Tem Treat has served Oklahoma nobly as a Senator and as the leader of the Senate. I applaud his service and wish him well after he terms out of office in November.”
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.
Unity will be a top priority for Paxton.
“I plan to lead from the front and further unify our caucus, while reaching across the aisle, across the rotunda and to the executive branch to enhance our state. I truly believe Oklahoma’s best days are in front of us and we can only reach our full potential by working together,” he said.
State political and business leaders released statements congratulating Paxton.
“Lonnie is a great Oklahoman and strong leader who cares deeply about the future of our state. He believes in our Top Ten agenda—and I look forward to working with him on cutting taxes, shrinking government, making Oklahoma the best state for businesses to thrive, and preserving the Oklahoma way of life. He is a proven conservative and will be a terrific leader for the Senate. I wish him the best as he takes on this new role, and look forward to the Senate’s new chapter under his leadership.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt
“I want to congratulate my friend Sen. Lonnie Paxton on the selection by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore-Designate. I appreciate his willingness to step up and look forward to working with him and Governor Stitt to continue Oklahoma’s conservative momentum.”
Oklahoma House Speaker-Designate Kyle Hilbert
“Congratulations to Senator Lonnie Paxton on being selected as President Pro Tempore-Designate. I have had the opportunity to work with Senator Paxton on issues important to Oklahomans all across our state and find solutions to our state’s challenges. Paxton has served the Senate and his district well and I look forward to continuing to work with him on getting bipartisan policies across the finish line to create a better Oklahoma.”
House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson
“Sen. Paxton is the right leader for Oklahoma. We were excited to hear that Senate Republicans overwhelmingly supported him to be the next pro tem of the state senate. He has a heart for serving Oklahoma, and he’s a business owner. He understands the issues job creators are facing, because he deals with them on a daily basis, too. The senate is in good hands with Sen. Paxton.”
Emily Crouch, State Chamber of Oklahoma Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
Another vote will be held in November after the general election to confirm Paxton as the Senate pro tem.
