Ayshia K. M. Pittman (born September 10, 1993) is a Seminole-American politician who currently serves as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district as a member of the Democratic Party. She is the third Seminole to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature.
Ajay Pittman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district | |
| Assumed office 2019 | |
| Preceded by | George E. Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ayshia K. M. Pittman September 10, 1993 |
| Nationality | American Seminole Nation of Oklahoma |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parent |
|
| Education | Oklahoma Policy Institute |
Early life
editAyshia K. M. Pittman was born on September 10, 1993, to Anastasia Pittman, who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district and in the Oklahoma Senate.[1][2] Pittman is a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and is the great-great-granddaughter of Abner Burnett, who survived the Tulsa race massacre.[3] Pittman attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the Oklahoma Policy Institute.[4]
Oklahoma House of Representatives
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Pittman won the initial Democratic primary in 2018, against Nkem House, Crentha Sequoya Turner, and Steve Davis for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district and defeated House in the runoff primary.[5][6] She succeeded Representative George E. Young, who had run for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate.[7][2] She was the third Seminole to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature.[3] She is a member of the Oklahoma Legislature Black Caucus.[8]
2020 campaign and second term
editIn 2020, Pittman ran for reelection and in the Democratic primary she was challenged by Susan Porter, the daughter of E. Melvin Porter who was the first black member of the Oklahoma Senate.[2] Pittman defeated Porter in the Democratic primary.[9]
In 2020, Pittman was appointed to the Joint Legislative Committee on State and Tribal Relations by Speaker of the House Charles McCall.[10]
During the 2020 presidential election Pittman endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination.[11] In 2020, Pittman was endorsed by EMILY's List.[12]
In 2021, legislation which would prohibit governmental entities from mandating vaccination and from inflicting penalties against any person who refuses to vaccinate, including children, was passed through the public health committee by a vote of seven to one, with Pittman being the only vote against.[13] The legislation later passed in the state house by a vote of seventy-one to twenty-five.[14]
2024 campaign
editIn 2024, Pittman ran for reelection and faced a primary challenge from Brittane Grant. In late May the Oklahoma Ethics Commission released a settlement agreement between Pittman and the commission that fined her $17,141 and ordered her to repay $17,858.22 to her campaign for improperly drawing funds from her campaign and inaccurate reporting of contributions. Pittman said the agreement was "regarding a clerical error."[15][16] In June, she filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Grant from the ballot for a 2016 guilty plea for a deferred sentence.[17] Pittman won the primary election.[18]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman | 2,194 | 38.13% | ||
| Democratic | Nkem House | 1,848 | 32.12% | ||
| Democratic | Steve Davis | 1,005 | 17,47% | ||
| Democratic | Crentha Sequoya Turner | 707 | 12.29% | ||
| Total votes | 5,754 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman | 1,481 | 51.91% | ||
| Democratic | Nkem House | 1,372 | 48.09% | ||
| Total votes | 2,853 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman (incumbent) | 2,837 | 51.95% | ||
| Democratic | Susan Porter | 2,624 | 48.05% | ||
| Total votes | 5,461 | 100.00% | |||
References
edit- ^ "Ajay Pittman date of birth and birth name Page 7" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Political families face off in OKC's House District 99". June 15, 2020. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "Meet Ajay". Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Ajay Pittman's Biography". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "2018 Oklahoma primary election results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "2018 Oklahoma primary runoff election results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Front and center". Oklahoma Gazette. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Few Hearings, Fewer Votes: Police Oversight Bills See Little Attention in Oklahoma's Legislature". Oklahoma Watch. June 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "2020 Oklahoma primary election results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Pittman appointed to Tribal Relations Committee". The Journal Record. May 21, 2020. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Oklahoma City Rep. Ajay Pittman Endorses Biden". KWTV-DT. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "EMILY'S LIST ENDORSES AJAY PITTMAN FOR THE OKLAHOMA'S 99TH HOUSE DISTRICT". EMILY's List. June 26, 2020. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "New bill would prevent a vaccine mandate in the state". KOKH-TV. February 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Bill prohibiting vaccine mandate heads to OK Senate floor". KJRH-TV. April 6, 2021. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Carter, M. Scott (May 30, 2024). "Oklahoma lawmaker to pay $35K in fines, campaign repayments for state campaign violations". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Chasanov, David (May 30, 2024). "Oklahoma lawmaker settles for $35,000 after campaign violations, blames 'clerical error'". KOKH-TV. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Ndisabiye, Sasha (June 13, 2024). "Legal troubles loom over House District 99 candidates". NonDoc. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Derksen, Cheyenne (June 18, 2024). "State Rep. Ajay Pittman wins Oklahoma House District 99 seat". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
External links
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