President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
Encyclopedia
The President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the Oklahoma Senate
and the highest-ranking State Senator. The Oklahoma Constitution
states the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
serves ex officio as President of the Senate
, and is the highest-ranking official of the Senate even though he or she only votes in the case of a tie. During the Lieutenant Governor's absence from the Senate, the President pro tempore
presides over its sessions. Since the Lieutenant Governor hasn't regularly presided since the 1960s, the management and political power falls to the President pro tempore.
The President pro tempore is popularly elected by the Senators, unlike the custom of the United States Senate
where the most senior Senator in the majority party serves as President pro tempore. The Oklahoma Senate has rarely had the most senior senator serve as President pro tempore. The office of President pro tempore was created in 1907 by Oklahoma Constitution
and the President pro tempore is selected by the Senate. While not a Constitutional requirement, every President pro tempore has been a member of the majority party.
The President pro tempore is second in line of succession to the Governorship of Oklahoma
, behind the Lieutenant Governor. The President’s counterpart in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
is the Speaker of the House
.
of Perry
was selected to serve as the first President pro tempore. Sworn into office on November 16, 1907, (the same day Oklahoma was admitted to the Union) Johnston served as the President pro tempore from 1907 to 1909.
For its first 60 years, no one person ever held the office for more than one term consecutively. State Senator Tom Anglin of Holdenville
was the first to hold the office a second time: first from 1923-1925 and a second time from 1943-1945. Clem McSpadden was the first President pro tempore to serve two consecutive terms, from 1965 to 1969. As in the House, once one person held the chamber’s highest office, the trend continued.
From 1965 to 2006, ten Presidents have been selected to serve over the 41 year period, a period which would allow for the election of 22 Presidents. Of those ten Presidents, only James E. Hamilton of Poteau
and Cal Hobson of Lexington
served only one full single term. Hamilton sought the U.S. Senate nomination in 1980, unsuccessfully, and eventually returned to politics as a State Representative, where he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Hobson won reelection to the office of Pro Tem, but resigned shortly thereafter as the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to allow him to resign or be ousted due to alcohol abuse during the legislative session in 2005. After completing treatment for alcoholism, Hobson in 2006 sought unsuccessfully to be the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor.
Four Presidents pro tempore have served two consecutive terms and two have served three consecutive terms. Currently, Stratton Taylor of Claremore
holds the record of four consecutive terms. Senator Taylor held the office for eight years, 1995 to 2003, serving as the President pro tempore under the entire administration of Governor Frank Keating
.
as the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
, the ex officio President of the Senate, gave the Senate Democrats a single-vote majority.
The Oklahoma Constitution
specifically states that only one Senator can be elected as President pro tempore. To address the historic tie, a power sharing agreement was reached that created a new office within the Senate: the "Co-President pro tempore." Under this agreement, Democratic State Senator Mike Morgan of Stillwater
would serve as the President pro tempore of the Senate and Republican State Senator Glenn Coffee
of Oklahoma City
would serve Co-President pro tempore. Co-President Coffee switched places with President Morgan for one month (July of 2007) to symbolize the unity between the two parties. While Coffee held the office of President pro tempore in July, Morgan served as the Co-President pro tempore.
Both Morgan and Coffee presided over the Senate every other day and, under the agreement, President Morgan only had appointment authority as long as Co-President Coffee assented to the appointment, effectively making them both fully vested with the duties and rights of President pro tempore. Additionally, under the agreement, should the Governor of Oklahoma
and Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
both have been absent from the state, Morgan would have served as the Acting Governor except for the one month of July, 2007.
in Governor
Mary Fallin
's administration. Brian Bingman
is the current President pro tempore.
rarely presides except for ceremonial duties. Before any member may speak, he must seek the presiding officer's recognition. The presiding officer may call on members as he pleases, and may therefore control the flow of debate. The presiding officer decides all questions of orders during debate, seats in the camber, calls members to order for violating rules, and approves all claims for supplies and services. He is responsible for maintaining decorum in the Senate, and enforces the rules. On the floor of the Senate, the presiding officer is always addressed as "Mister President" (even if the President himself is not the individual presiding).
The President's powers and duties extend beyond presiding in the chamber. In particular, he has great influence over the committee process. The President appoints all members of committees and assigns all bills to whichever committee he wishes to allow consideration.
As a member of the Senate, the President pro tempore is entitled to participate in debate and to vote. The President pro tempore is rarely found on the floor other than to cast a vote. The duties of the office require him to spend most of his time off the floor.
According to Section 16 of Article Six of the Oklahoma Constitution, the President pro tempore is second in line to succeed to the Governorship in the event of a vacancy in the office. First in line is the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
, then the President pro tempore, followed by the Speaker of the House. No President pro tempore has become the Governor through succession.
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
and the highest-ranking State Senator. The Oklahoma Constitution
Oklahoma Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th US State. At its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the longest governing document of any...
states the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
serves ex officio as President of the Senate
President of the Senate
The President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate, and is the speaker of other assemblies.The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for example, the President of the Senate of Nigeria is second in line...
, and is the highest-ranking official of the Senate even though he or she only votes in the case of a tie. During the Lieutenant Governor's absence from the Senate, the President pro tempore
Pro tempore
Pro tempore , abbreviated pro tem or p.t., is a Latin phrase which best translates to "for the time being" in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a locum tenens in the absence of a superior, such as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate.Legislative...
presides over its sessions. Since the Lieutenant Governor hasn't regularly presided since the 1960s, the management and political power falls to the President pro tempore.
The President pro tempore is popularly elected by the Senators, unlike the custom of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
where the most senior Senator in the majority party serves as President pro tempore. The Oklahoma Senate has rarely had the most senior senator serve as President pro tempore. The office of President pro tempore was created in 1907 by Oklahoma Constitution
Oklahoma Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th US State. At its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the longest governing document of any...
and the President pro tempore is selected by the Senate. While not a Constitutional requirement, every President pro tempore has been a member of the majority party.
The President pro tempore is second in line of succession to the Governorship of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, behind the Lieutenant Governor. The President’s counterpart in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
is the Speaker of the House
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Speaker exercises administrative and procedural functions in the House, but most importantly remains a representative of his...
.
Democratic control (1907-2007)
Following the statehood of Oklahoma in 1907, the first President pro tempore was elected. Since all candidates for pro tempore had no prior service in the Senate, there were no prominent former Senate leaders to select from. With the Democrats controlling the Senate, the popular State Senator Henry S. JohnstonHenry S. Johnston
Henry Simpson Johnston was an American lawyer and politician who served as a delegate to the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, the first President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the seventh Governor of Oklahoma...
of Perry
Perry, Oklahoma
Perry is a city in Noble County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,126. It is the county seat of Noble County.-19th century:...
was selected to serve as the first President pro tempore. Sworn into office on November 16, 1907, (the same day Oklahoma was admitted to the Union) Johnston served as the President pro tempore from 1907 to 1909.
For its first 60 years, no one person ever held the office for more than one term consecutively. State Senator Tom Anglin of Holdenville
Holdenville, Oklahoma
Holdenville is a city in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,732 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hughes County....
was the first to hold the office a second time: first from 1923-1925 and a second time from 1943-1945. Clem McSpadden was the first President pro tempore to serve two consecutive terms, from 1965 to 1969. As in the House, once one person held the chamber’s highest office, the trend continued.
From 1965 to 2006, ten Presidents have been selected to serve over the 41 year period, a period which would allow for the election of 22 Presidents. Of those ten Presidents, only James E. Hamilton of Poteau
Poteau, Oklahoma
Poteau is a city in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 8,520 at the 2010 census, ranking fifth in the Greater Fort Smith Area. It is the county seat of Le Flore County...
and Cal Hobson of Lexington
Lexington, Oklahoma
Lexington is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States. The city population was 2,152 at the 2010 census. Sperling Best Places reports that over 7400 residents live in the Lexington Zip code-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
served only one full single term. Hamilton sought the U.S. Senate nomination in 1980, unsuccessfully, and eventually returned to politics as a State Representative, where he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Hobson won reelection to the office of Pro Tem, but resigned shortly thereafter as the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to allow him to resign or be ousted due to alcohol abuse during the legislative session in 2005. After completing treatment for alcoholism, Hobson in 2006 sought unsuccessfully to be the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor.
Four Presidents pro tempore have served two consecutive terms and two have served three consecutive terms. Currently, Stratton Taylor of Claremore
Claremore, Oklahoma
Claremore is a city and the county seat of Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,581 at the 2010 census, a 17.1 percent increase from 15,873 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area and home to Rogers State University...
holds the record of four consecutive terms. Senator Taylor held the office for eight years, 1995 to 2003, serving as the President pro tempore under the entire administration of Governor Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
.
Evenly divided (2007-2009)
Following the 2006 elections, the Senate was split evenly 24-24 between the Democrats and the Republicans. The election of Democratic State Representative Jari AskinsJari Askins
Jari Askins is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from the US state of Oklahoma. She was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, being the second female and the first Democratic female to hold that position....
as the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
, the ex officio President of the Senate, gave the Senate Democrats a single-vote majority.
The Oklahoma Constitution
Oklahoma Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th US State. At its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the longest governing document of any...
specifically states that only one Senator can be elected as President pro tempore. To address the historic tie, a power sharing agreement was reached that created a new office within the Senate: the "Co-President pro tempore." Under this agreement, Democratic State Senator Mike Morgan of Stillwater
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of U.S. 177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 45,688. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical...
would serve as the President pro tempore of the Senate and Republican State Senator Glenn Coffee
Glenn Coffee
For the American football player, see Glen CoffeeVirgil Glenn Coffee is an American lawyer and Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Coffee is currently the 30th Oklahoma Secretary of State, having been appointed by Governor Mary Fallin...
of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
would serve Co-President pro tempore. Co-President Coffee switched places with President Morgan for one month (July of 2007) to symbolize the unity between the two parties. While Coffee held the office of President pro tempore in July, Morgan served as the Co-President pro tempore.
Both Morgan and Coffee presided over the Senate every other day and, under the agreement, President Morgan only had appointment authority as long as Co-President Coffee assented to the appointment, effectively making them both fully vested with the duties and rights of President pro tempore. Additionally, under the agreement, should the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
and Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
both have been absent from the state, Morgan would have served as the Acting Governor except for the one month of July, 2007.
Republican control (2009-present)
Following the 2008 elections, the Republicans won control of the Senate for the first time in state history, with 26 Republicans and 22 Democrats. They selected Glenn Coffee to serve as the first full President pro tempore who served from 2009-2011 when he was term-limited out and was selected to serve as Secretary of StateSecretary of State of Oklahoma
The Secretary of State of the State of Oklahoma is the chief clerical officer of Oklahoma and a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary of State is only appointed constitutional member of the executive branch of the Oklahoma state government...
in Governor
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
's administration. Brian Bingman
Brian Bingman
Brian Bingman is a Republican United States politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma and is the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate....
is the current President pro tempore.
Powers
The President pro tempore holds a variety of powers in addition to the role as presiding officer of the Senate. The President pro tempore assigns other members to assume the chair in his absence (which is very common). The Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
rarely presides except for ceremonial duties. Before any member may speak, he must seek the presiding officer's recognition. The presiding officer may call on members as he pleases, and may therefore control the flow of debate. The presiding officer decides all questions of orders during debate, seats in the camber, calls members to order for violating rules, and approves all claims for supplies and services. He is responsible for maintaining decorum in the Senate, and enforces the rules. On the floor of the Senate, the presiding officer is always addressed as "Mister President" (even if the President himself is not the individual presiding).
The President's powers and duties extend beyond presiding in the chamber. In particular, he has great influence over the committee process. The President appoints all members of committees and assigns all bills to whichever committee he wishes to allow consideration.
As a member of the Senate, the President pro tempore is entitled to participate in debate and to vote. The President pro tempore is rarely found on the floor other than to cast a vote. The duties of the office require him to spend most of his time off the floor.
Other duties
The Legislature may be called into special session by a written call, with specifically set out in the call, with a signed call by two-thirds of the members of the Senate and two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives. After the number of Senators and Representatives is met, the call is filed with the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives who must issue a joint order for the convening of the special session.According to Section 16 of Article Six of the Oklahoma Constitution, the President pro tempore is second in line to succeed to the Governorship in the event of a vacancy in the office. First in line is the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
, then the President pro tempore, followed by the Speaker of the House. No President pro tempore has become the Governor through succession.
List of Presidents pro tempore
The complete (as of 2011) list of Presidents pro tempore is below. Note: All locations are in Oklahoma.| # | President pro tempore | Party | Hometown | Legislature | Start of service | End of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry S. Johnston Henry S. Johnston Henry Simpson Johnston was an American lawyer and politician who served as a delegate to the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, the first President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the seventh Governor of Oklahoma... |
Democrat | Perry | 1st | 1907 | 1909 |
| 2 | J.C. Graham | Democrat | Marietta | 2nd | 1909 | 1911 |
| 3 | J. Elmer Thomas | Democrat | Lawton | 3rd | 1911 | 1913 |
| 4 | C.B. Kendrick | Democrat | Ardmore | 4th | 1913 | 1915 |
| 5 | E.L. Mitchell | Democrat | Cheyenne | 5th | 1915 | 1917 |
| 6 | C.W. Board | Democrat | Okemah | 6th | 1917 | 1919 |
| 7 | R.L. Davidson | Democrat | Tulsa | 7th | 1919 | 1921 |
| 8 | T.C. Simpson | Democrat | Thomas | 8th | 1921 | 1923 |
| 9 | Tom Anglin | Democrat | Holdenville | 9th | 1923 | 1925 |
| 10 | William J. Holloway | Democrat | Hugo | 10th | 1925 | 1927 |
| 11 | Mac Q. Williamson | Democrat | Pauls Valley | 11th | 1927 | 1929 |
| 12 | C.S. Storms | Democrat | Waurika | 12th | 1929 | 1931 |
| 13 | W.G. Stigler | Democrat | Stigler | 13th | 1931 | 1933 |
| 14 | Paul Stewart | Democrat | Antlers | 14th | 1933 | 1935 |
| 15 | Claud Briggs | Democrat | Wilburton | 15th | 1935 | 1937 |
| 16 | Allen G. Nichols | Democrat | Wewoka | 16th | 1937 | 1939 |
| 17 | Jim A. Rinehart | Democrat | El Reno | 17th | 1939 | 1941 |
| 18 | H.M. Curnutt | Democrat | Barnsdall | 18th | 1941 | 1941 |
| 19 | Ray C. Jones | Democrat | Barnsdall | 18th | 1941 | 1942 |
| 20 | Tom Anglin | Democrat | Holdenville | 19th | 1943 | 1945 |
| 21 | Homer Paul | Democrat | Pauls Valley | 20th | 1945 | 1947 |
| 22 | James C. Nance | Democrat | Purcell | 21st | 1947 | 1949 |
| 23 | Bill Logan | Democrat | Lawton | 22nd | 1949 | 1951 |
| 24 | Boyd Cowden | Democrat | Chandler | 23rd | 1951 | 1953 |
| 25 | Raymond Gary | Democrat | Madill | 24th | 1953 | 1955 |
| 26 | Ray Fine | Democrat | Gore | 25th | 1955 | 1957 |
| 27 | Don Baldwin | Democrat | Anadarko | 26th | 1957 | 1959 |
| 28 | Harold Garvin | Democrat | Duncan | 27th | 1959 | 1961 |
| 29 | Everett C. Boecher | Democrat | Sapulpa | 28th | 1961 | 1963 |
| 30 | Roy C. Boecher | Democrat | Kingfisher | 29th | 1963 | 1965 |
| 31 | Clem McSpadden | Democrat | Chelsea | 30th | 1965 | 1969 |
| 31st | ||||||
| 32 | Finis Smith | Democrat | Tulsa | 32nd | 1969 | 1973 |
| 33rd | ||||||
| 33 | James E. Hamilton | Democrat | Poteau | 34th | 1973 | 1975 |
| 34 | Gene C. Howard | Democrat | Tulsa | 35th | 1975 | 1981 |
| 36th | ||||||
| 37th | ||||||
| 35 | Marvin York | Democrat | Oklahoma City | 38th | 1981 | 1985 |
| 39th | ||||||
| 36 | Rodger A. Randle | Democrat | Tulsa | 40th | 1985 | 1988 |
| 41st | ||||||
| 37 | Robert V. Cullison | Democrat | Skiatook | 42nd | 1988 | 1995 |
| 43rd | ||||||
| 44th | ||||||
| 38 | Stratton Taylor | Democrat | Claremore | 45th | 1995 | 2003 |
| 46th | ||||||
| 47th | ||||||
| 48th | ||||||
| 39 | Cal Hobson | Democrat | Lexington | 49th | 2003 | 2005 |
| 40 | Mike Morgan | Democrat | Stillwater | 50th | 2005 | July 1, 2007 |
| 51st | ||||||
| 41 | Glenn Coffee Glenn Coffee For the American football player, see Glen CoffeeVirgil Glenn Coffee is an American lawyer and Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Coffee is currently the 30th Oklahoma Secretary of State, having been appointed by Governor Mary Fallin... |
Republican | Oklahoma City | 51st | July 1, 2007 | July 31, 2007 |
| 42 | Mike Morgan | Democrat | Stillwater | 51st | August 1, 2007 | 2009 |
| 43 | Glenn Coffee Glenn Coffee For the American football player, see Glen CoffeeVirgil Glenn Coffee is an American lawyer and Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Coffee is currently the 30th Oklahoma Secretary of State, having been appointed by Governor Mary Fallin... |
Republican | Oklahoma City | 52nd | 2009 | 2011 |
| 44 | Brian Bingman Brian Bingman Brian Bingman is a Republican United States politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma and is the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.... |
Republican | Sapulpa | 53rd | 2011 | 2013 |