Forrest Bennett | |
|---|---|
| | |
| President of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO | |
| Assumed office November 7, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jimmy Curry |
| Member of the OklahomaHouseofRepresentatives from the 92nd district | |
| In office November 17,2016 –December 1,2025 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Morrissette |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Forrest Welch Bennett August 13,1989 |
| 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.
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]
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]
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]
| 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]