Forrest Welch Bennett | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Minority Whip of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Mickey Dollens |
| Assistant Minority Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office January 2021 –January 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Shane Stone |
| Succeeded by | Melissa Provenzano |
| Member of the OklahomaHouseofRepresentatives from the 92nd district | |
| Assumed office November 17,2016 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Morrissette |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 13,1989 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA,MPA) |
Forrest Welch Bennett (born August 13,1989) is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 92nd district since 2016. [1] [2]
Bennett was born on August 13,1989,in Bartlesville,Oklahoma,to Kevin and Cindy Bennett. [3] He graduated from Bartlesville High School in 2008 and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. [3] While at OU,Bennett was involved with student government,including the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, [4] and ran for OU student body president in 2011. [5] He graduated from OU with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2012 and completed his master's in public administration in 2016. [6] Following graduation,Bennett worked for a political consulting firm [3] and the public education advocacy group Stand For Children. [7] [3]
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. [8] During the campaign,Bennett made headlines for having his vehicle stolen while campaigning. [9] After securing his party's nomination,Bennett defeated Republican challenger Joe Griffin to win his seat. [10]
Bennett ran unopposed for re-election in 2018. [11]
Bennett has two brothers,and stated “(g)rowing up as the middle child among three brothers has definitely helped me to understand the importance of compromise and negotiation.” [3] Bennett is married to OKCPS board member Meg McElhaney [12]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Forrest Bennett | 3,263 | 60.54 | |
| Republican | Joe Griffin | 2,127 | 39.46 | |