Forrest Bennett
Forrest Bennett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO | |
| Assumed office November 7, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jimmy Curry |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 92nd district | |
| In office November 17, 2016 – December 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Morrissette |
| Succeeded by | Sam Wargin Grimaldo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Forrest Welch Bennett August 13, 1989 Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA, MPA) |
Forrest Welch Bennett (born August 13, 1989) is an American politician and trade unionist who has served as president of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 92nd district from 2016 to 2025.
Early life
[edit]Bennett was born on August 13, 1989, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Kevin and Cindy Bennett.[1] He graduated from Bartlesville High School in 2008 and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma (OU).[1] While at OU, Bennett was involved with student government, including the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature,[2] and ran for student body president in 2011.[3] He graduated from OU with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2012 and a Master of Public Administration in 2016.[4] Following graduation, Bennett worked for a political consulting firm[1] and the public education advocacy group Stand For Children.[1][5]
Political career
[edit]In 2016, Bennett was one of three Democratic candidates who filed in Oklahoma House District 92 to replace Richard Morrissette, who could not run for re-election due to term limits.[6] During the campaign, Bennett made headlines for having his vehicle stolen while campaigning.[7] After securing his party's nomination, Bennett defeated Republican challenger Joe Griffin to win his seat.[8]
Bennett ran unopposed for re-election in 2018.[9] He was elected president of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO on November 7, 2025, and announced he would resign his legislative seat effective December 1.[10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Bennett has two brothers, of which he is the middle child.[1] Bennett is married to Oklahoma City Public Schools board member Meg McElhaney.[12]
Election results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Forrest Bennett | 395 | 54.33 | |
| Democratic | Jess Eddy | 240 | 33.01 | |
| Democratic | Wilfredo Santos Rivera | 92 | 12.65 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Forrest Bennett | 3,263 | 60.54 | |
| Republican | Joe Griffin | 2,127 | 39.46 | |
Forrest Bennett ran unopposed for re-election in 2018[13]
Forrest Bennett ran unopposed for re-election in 2020[13]
Forrest Bennett ran unopposed for re-election in 2022[13]
Forrest Bennett ran unopposed for re-election in 2024[13]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Bartlesville man runs for legislature in OKC". Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise. January 24, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA INTERCOLLEGIATE LEGISLATURE DELEGATION". Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "UOSA candidates Forrest and Katherine discuss goals". March 7, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "Bennett to take Bartlesville heritage to Capitol". December 27, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "Bennett's past connection to controversial Common Core group draws questions". June 3, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "Two Oklahoma House candidates have arrest records". June 27, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "Candidate for Oklahoma house representative has car stolen while campaigning". May 2, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "Oklahoma 92nd District State House Results Forrest Bennett Wins". August 1, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ "Governor's Race Tops Oklahoma Candidate Filings". April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ↑ Evans, Murray (November 9, 2025). "Democratic Oklahoma lawmaker says he'll resign to lead labor organization". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ Murphy, Emma (November 11, 2025). "Oklahoma City lawmaker plans to resign to lead labor group". KOSU. Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
- ↑ "Oklahoma City School Board appoints newest member". November 22, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 "Forrest Bennett". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
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- 1989 births
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
- 21st-century members of the Oklahoma Legislature
- People from Bartlesville, Oklahoma
- Trade unionists from Oklahoma
- University of Oklahoma alumni
- 21st-century American trade unionists
- AFL-CIO people
- Oklahoma politician stubs