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Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry (born June 10, 1963) is the Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002. Henry is currently facing Republican US Representative Ernest Istook for re-election on November 7, 2006. Gov. Henry is currently one of the most popular governors in the nation, with an approval rating of 69%.
Early life and education A third generation Oklahoman, Henry was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the son of prominent attorney and Judge Charles Henry. He attended public schools and graduated from Shawnee High School. After graduating, Henry attended the University of Oklahoma as a President's Leadership Scholar and earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1985. In 1988, he was awarded his law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Law Review. 2002 gubernatorial election In the 2002 election for governor, Henry defeated former Republican Congressman Steve Largent, an NFL Hall of Famer and Independent candidate Gary Richardson, a retired Federal Prosecutor, by less than one-half of one percent. He received 448,143 votes (43.27%) to Largent's 441,277 votes (42.61%). Richardson, a former Republican candidate, was the second most successful third-party gubernatorial candidate in the nation in the that election, receiving 146,200 votes (14%). * Henry ran an underdog campaign of "barnstorming" rural areas, and stopping at Wal Mart stores in an RV with supporters. Henry was endorsed by legendary football Coach Barry Switzer, who has strong popularity in the Sooner State and accompanied Henry to many campaign events. On the policy side of the campaign, Henry ran on the platform of the "education governor." He argued for increasing teachers' salaries and funding for higher education in the state by approving a state lottery to raise money. Henry's candidacy received a last minute boost against Largent, on account of a ballot initiative banning cockfighting was unpopular in rural areas. Henry played neutral on the issue most of the race as the proposed ban was popular in urban areas. On the election eve, Henry secured the support of the pro-cockfighting forces in rural areas. Governorship Henry was officially sworn in as Oklahoma's 26th Governor on January 13, 2003, with the oath of office being administered by his cousin, federal appeals court judge Robert Harlan Henry. As Governor, he is a member of the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association. Henry made national headlines by giving sanctuary from the redistricting warrant to Texas Democrats in that state's legislature by allowing them to travel across state lines into Oklahoma en masse to deny a quorum for voting on a redistricting plan. "Our position is that, without a warrant signed by a judge, we have no authority. Even under those circumstances, we are hesitant to get pulled into a Texas political battle. If we're going to do battle with Texas, we prefer that it be on the football field," Henry said through his spokesman. Administration and Cabinet Supreme Court appointments Governor Henry appointed the following Justices to the Oklahoma Supreme Court: 2006 campaign Currently, Brad Henry is running for a second-term as governor. In the Democratic Party primary election on July 25, 2006, he received 218,712 votes, 86% of the vote. * In the November 7th general election, Henry will face Fifth District U.S. Congressman Republican Ernest Istook. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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