Forrest Bennett | |
|---|---|
| | |
| President of the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO | |
| Assumed office November 7th, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jimmy Curry |
| Member of the OklahomaHouseofRepresentatives from the 92nd district | |
| Assumed office November 17,2016 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Morrissette |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Forrest Welch Bennett August 13,1989 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA,MPA) |
Forrest Welch Bennett (born August 13,1989) is an American politician and trade unionist who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 92nd district from 2016 to 2025. In November 2025,he was elected president of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO.
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]