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Gabe Woolley

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Gabe Woolley
Woolley in 2024
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 98th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 20, 2024
Preceded byDean Davis
Personal details
Born
Gabriel Christian Woolley

(1994-09-17) September 17, 1994 (age 30)
Jackson, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, U.S.
EducationOklahoma Wesleyan University

Gabriel Christian Woolley (born September 17, 1994) is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 98th district since 2024.

Early life and career

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Gabriel Christian Woolley was born on September 17, 1994, in Jackson, Michigan.[1] He graduated from Tulsa Technology Center in 2012, Tulsa Hope Academy (a private Christian high school) in 2013, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2020.[1][2] His parents, William 'Bill' Woolley and Lisa Woolley, have been in a custody dispute over Woolley's nephew. The couple lost custody after being charged with the death of their grandson Elijah. Charges were later dropped after it was determined Elijah died of sudden infant death syndrome, but Elijah's brother was not returned to the family.[3] Woolley runs the Rescue Clayton Podcast and Oklahoma Lion Media. He has partnered with Red River Media to create documentaries on his nephew's custody battle and criticizing "gender ideology."[4]

He grew up in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and worked in education for nine years including for Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa Honor Academy, and in Phoenix, Arizona.[5] While teaching he used PragerU videos.[6] He was an Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs J. Rufus Fears Fellow, named after professor J. Rufus Fears, and member of the Steamboat Institute's emerging leaders council.[7][8]

Oklahoma House

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In 2024, Woolley ran against incumbent Dean Davis to represent the 98th district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Republican June primary also included J. David Taylor.[9] Woolley advanced to an August runoff alongside Davis.[10] In July, he spoke at a rally against child protective services in West Virginia.[11] The director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Deborah Shropshire, resigned after Woolley's family and Governor Kevin Stitt's father John Stitt public criticized the agency in August 2024.[3] Stitt denied that Shropshire's resignation was related to Woolley's family's complaints.[12]

He defeated Davis in the August runoff election with just over 50% of the vote.[13] He defeated Democratic candidate Cathy Smythe in the November general election.[14] The Oklahoman described Woolley as an "uber-conservative."[15]

Tenure

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Woolley was sworn in by Dustin Rowe on November 20, 2024.[16] Later that month, Woolley voiced support for a grand jury investigation into the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.[17]

Political positions

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LGBTQ+ rights

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Woolley identifies as a "former member of the LGBTQ community" and has argued LQBT people should not be allowed to adopt children. He also opposes access to transgender health care for children.[5]

Electoral history

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2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 98th district Republican primary[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dean Davis (incumbent) 911 42.4%
Republican Gabe Woolley 910 42.4%
Republican J. David Taylor 327 15.2%
Total votes 2,148 100%
2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 98th district Republican runoff[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gabe Woolley 1,254 50.6%
Republican Dean Davis (incumbent) 1,226 49.4%
Total votes 2,480 100%
2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 98th district general election[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gabe Woolley 10,871 66.7%
Democratic Cathy Smythe 5,435 33.3%
Total votes 16,306 100%

References

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  1. ^ a b "Oklahoma State Rep. Gabe Woolley". www.legistorm.com. LegiStorm. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "Gabe Woolley". ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Carter, M. Scott (August 22, 2024). "DHS chief resignation follows custody case protest that Gov. Stitt's father participated in". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. ^ Jacques, Melissa (August 21, 2024). "Broken Arrow's House District 98 runoff candidates explain positions". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Loveless, Tristan (August 26, 2024). "House District 98 runoff: Dean Davis, Gabe Woolley face off to represent Broken Arrow district". NonDoc. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Wallis, Beth; Walters, Ryan; Woolley, Gabe (September 11, 2023). "Oklahoma is promoting a history curriculum using videos by conservative group PragerU". KOSU. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Farmer, Rick (April 17, 2023). "OCPA's Fears Fellows are making an impact". ocpathink.org. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Members of our Emerging Leaders Council are up to big things!". steamboatinstitute.org. Steamboat Institute. June 20, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Jacques, Melissa (June 14, 2024). "Incumbent faces two challengers in GOP primary for House District 98". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Hoberock, Barbara (June 19, 2024). "Voters sent some Oklahoma lawmakers packing while others wound up in runoffs". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Taylor, Paige (28 July 2024). "Child Protective Services, foster care focus of rally at West Virginia Capitol". WCHS-TV. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Carter, M. Scott (August 23, 2024). "DHS director's resignation not tied to Woolley state custody case, governor's office says". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  13. ^ Savage, Tres (August 28, 2024). "Voters sink Stephens, wash out Wallace, dump Davis". NonDoc. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Evans, Murray (November 5, 2024). "Oklahoma House election results are coming in. What do they show?". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Carter, M. Scott; Evans, Murray (November 11, 2024). "After elections, Oklahoma lawmakers prepare for challenging 2025 legislative session". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Jacques, Melissa (November 20, 2024). "Oklahoma House members take oath of office with 17 newly elected lawmakers". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Organizers for Tulsa County Grand Jury Petition advocating investigation into OKDHS hosts news conference". KOKI-TV. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "June 18, 2024 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "August 27 2024 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "November 5, 2024 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
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