Jim Grego | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| Assumed office November 16, 2018 [1] | |
| Preceded by | Brian Renegar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 8, 1955
[2] McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S. [2] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sandra [2] |
| Children | 2 [3] |
| Residence(s) | Wilburton, Oklahoma, U.S. [2] |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University [2] |
Jim Grego (born November 8, 1955) is an American politician. He is a Republican representing the 17th district in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Political career
In 2018, the former State Representative for District 17, Brian Renegar was unable to run for reelection due to term limits, [4] and Grego ran for the open seat. Grego came in second in a five-way Republican primary, advancing to a runoff against Joshua Hass, which he won. He went on to defeat Peggy DeFrange in the general election. [1]
As of July 2020, Grego sits on the following committees: [5]
- Agriculture and Rural Development (Vice Chair)
- A&B Natural Resources and Regulatory Services
- Public Health
- Transportation
Oklahoma House of Representatives
In 2024, Grego co-authored House bill 3749 [6] and Senate bill 1427, [7] along with Senator Warren Hamilton to carve out 8.3 million dollars to bring back the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo, despite others, such as a representative of the Arnall Family Foundation, calling out the move as exploitative and dangerous toward the inmates and animals and a waste of funds that could be spent on reforms. [8] The Oklahoma Department of Corrections claims "the total cost of the renovations is $9.3 million, and after contributing $1 million, they're asking the legislature to help fund the remaining $8.3 million, but some lawmakers argue that money should be spent on other issues," such as Representative Andy Fugate. [9] As of 2024, Louisiana "is the only state that has a behind-the-walls prison rodeo." [10] ODOC Executive Director Steve Harpe claims that it would bring in revenue for the department and support functions like a call center, and that Netflix, ESPN, and PBR are eyeing Oklahoma because of it. [11] Efforts for the rodeo revival stemmed father back than 2024, and 2023, George Young said that taxpayer dollars being used to revive the rodeo could be better spent on education programs for inmates or initiatives to improve prison health care. [12]
Electoral record
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Joshua Hass
|
803 | 35.0% | |
| Republican | Jim Grego
|
664 | 28.9% | |
| Republican | Bobby Cox | 425 | 18.5% | |
| Republican | Paul Marean | 263 | 11.5% | |
| Republican | Marilyn Welton | 141 | 6.1% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Grego
|
776 | 51.1% | |
| Republican | Joshua Hass | 742 | 48.9% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Grego
|
6,984 | 63.4% | |
| Democratic | Peggy DeFrange | 4,032 | 36.6% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Grego
|
2,100 | 61.9% | |
| Republican | Shannon Rowell | 1,294 | 38.1% | |
Personal life
Grego was born in 1955 in McAlester, Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in 1977. [2] He and his wife, Sandy, have two children. [3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Jim Grego". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Rep. Jim Grego". capwiz.com. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b O'Hanlon, Adrian III (22 October 2017). "Jim Grego announces District 17 State Representative candidacy". McAlester News-Capital. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Beaty, James (12 November 2017). "Cox ready to run for District 17 seat". McAlester News-Capital. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Representative Jim Grego". Oklahoma State Legislature. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Bill Information". www.oklegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Bill Information". www.oklegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ Arnall, Sue Ann. "Oklahoma needs to focus on prison reforms, not exploiting inmates with rodeo". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ Arata, Katie (2024-03-10). "Oklahoma House passes bill to bring back the nation's largest prison rodeo". KOKH. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Grego Bill to Help Restore Prison Rodeo Passes House". Oklahoma House of Representatives. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ Suares, Wendy (2023-11-16). "Convict Cowboys: New details on the return of the Oklahoma Prison Rodeo". KOKH. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ Forman, Carmen. "Could the McAlester state prison rodeo be returning? See inside a new effort to revive it". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-03-30.