Wayne Pettigrew (R-OK-2)

Wayne Pettigrew

Wayne Pettigrew Congressional Candidate Oklahoma District 2

Biography of Wayne Pettigrew from FRIENDS OF WAYNE PETTIGREW

Deep Eastern Oklahoma Roots

Wayne’s family came to Indian Territory before statehood. Wayne’s father was born near Sherwood (near Broken Bow). Wayne’s mother was born near Honobia (near Talihina). Wayne’s great grandmother was relocated to Oklahoma during the Indian removal process of Mississippi Choctaws.

Wayne was born in McAlester – making him the only candidate in the race who is an actual native of the Second District. Wayne grew up in McAlester and graduated from McAlester High School in 1980.

Wayne lived on a small farm just outside of town. While his parents never graduated from high school, they taught him life’s most important lessons – things like honesty, personal responsibility, and the value of hard work. Wayne became the first member of his family to graduate from college.

Pettigrew earned a business degree in Management, Finance and Accounting from East Central University in Ada. Interestingly, this background would set Pettigrew apart from his colleagues in Congress. Less than 15% of current Congressmen have a degree in business and economics, perhaps contributing to the economic and fiscal perils our nation faces.

Pettigrew and his wife, Toni, have two children, Alex – a senior at the University of Oklahoma, and Drew, 14. Toni is a former elementary education teacher.

A Successful Businessman and Job Creator

Wayne got his first job at age 9 and started his first company at age 19.

He began his insurance brokerage in 1984 and, in 2004, he founded two Oklahoma-based companies specializing in life and health insurance. They now employ over 40 people, have over $70 million in assets and have over 6,000 Oklahoma shareholders.

A Conservative Citizen Legislator

Wayne served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1994-2004.

In 2000, Wayne was recognized by the Oklahoma Constitution newspaper as one of the top ten most conservative legislators of the past 20 years. His lifetime 98% pro-business and economic development rating by the Research Institute for Economic Development places him at the top of those rankings as well.

Pettigrew has balanced over 40 state and corporate budgets in the past 25 years.

Pettigrew was a proven reformer in office. Wayne voted for historic cuts in the state income tax and opposed wasteful spending. Wayne was also the lead author on the major welfare reform bill in 1995 that cut welfare spending and saved taxpayers millions of dollars.

Wayne authored key legislation to reform other areas of government, including tort reform to grow Oklahoma’s economy. Wayne authored victim’s rights legislation – allowing victims’ family members to witness executions and be notified of parole eligibility, and nursing home reform – creating an ombudsman/inspector position and establishing mandatory staffing ratios for better care for the elderly.

Wayne had a 100% pro-life voting record while in the legislature and authored bills to end late-term abortions and create the “Choose Life” car tag.

Wayne also had a 100% pro-Second Amendment rating. He was an author of the original Concealed Carry bill. Wayne was endorsed by the NRA in every election and he is an NRA member.

Wayne also voted to create a “moment of silence” for prayer in public schools.

During his ten years of service in the state House, Pettigrew had a 99% attendance record, missing only 3 legislative days, two of which were to attend his father’s funeral.

After honorably serving our state for 10 years, Wayne returned to private business in 2004.

A Committed Republican Leader

Wayne has been a committed worker for the Republican Party, both inside and outside of elected office. His grassroots work includes service as Precinct Chairman and Platform Chairman for the Republican Party.

In office, Wayne was elected as an Assistant Minority Leader by his fellow House Republicans. He also served as the Republican’s Chairman for Candidate Recruitment. Republicans had a 12 seat gain during Wayne’s Chairmanship.