By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Incumbent Republican legislator Denise Crosswhite Hader faces a challenger this year in House District 41.
Crosswhite will face Shea Bracken in the Tuesday, June 18 primary.
State House District 41 is one of the fastest-growing areas of the state that covers all of Piedmont, Surrey Hills, northeast Canadian County, Cashion, and parts of Logan, Oklahoma and Kingfisher counties.
The state legislative district spans from as far to the east as NW 178 and May Avenue in the Deer Creek School district and city of Oklahoma City limits, north to State Highway 33, west to Gregory Road and north of Northwest Expressway in western parts of Oklahoma City within the Canadian County borders.
In Oklahoma, state representatives serve two-year terms. There is a 12-year term limit for legislators.
Only registered Republicans can vote in a Republican primary in Oklahoma. Independents can vote in Democratic primaries.
Bracken said he has spent the last several months knocking on doors and listening to the people and their concerns.
He said the top concern has been illegal immigration. Next on the topics discussed the most by those he visited have been issues surrounding gender and transgender in public school issues. People are concerned about those identified as boys at birth competing in girls’ sports, he said.
People are also concerned about “boys using girls’ bathrooms in schools,” he said.
Bracken, 40, is a lifelong Oklahoman who was born in Shawnee. He said he thinks people should vote for him because they have told him they want change.
“I think people are ready for change. I think they are looking for someone who is ready to get in there and fight for this district. There has not been any legislation that has been passed to improve HD 41. You have to get someone in there who will improve the district,” Bracken said.
With a child in the Deer Creek School District, he said the growth in the area from those seeking quality public schools continues. Piedmont and Cashion schools have also seen unprecedented growth.
“I’m a big believer in education. Education is a big issue for me. We’ve fallen behind and need some improvement there.”
Crosswhite Hader, 59, was elected in House District 41 in 2018.
The Oklahoma State Election Board shows that in House District 41 there are 27,753 registered voters.
There are 16,509 Republicans in the district, including 9,004 registered Republicans living in Canadian County and 711 in Kingfisher County. There are 5,991 registered Republicans residing in northwest Oklahoma County within the HD 41 borders.
There are also 5,706 Democrats, 5,263 Independents and 275 Libertarians in HD 41, the Oklahoma Election Board reported in January 2024.
This year, Crosswhite Hader has been going door-to-door in the district to knock and talk to voters. She has been visiting rural areas of Logan and Kingfisher counties to find voters, she said.
She said a top concern from voters has been illegal immigration.
“Not legal immigration, we always want legal immigration,” Crosswhite Hader said. But the influx of illegal immigration from the U.S. border with Mexico continues to be an issue, she said.
Crosswhite Hader has served as Vice Chair on the Administrative Rules Committee. She said infrastructure is important to help advance commerce, and roads will continue to be a focus and she has served on the transportation committee. She said she works toward lower taxes.
The Oklahoma City native is an Oral Roberts University graduate who worked in former U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook’s office as a field representative. She has been married to husband Marc Hader, a former Canadian County commissioner, since 2000.
She said voters can count on her to continue the work she has done.
“I gave them my word to give full time and service and I continue to do it and I prepare every day to keep government in check,” Crosswhite Hader said.
Who is Shea Bracken?
Stephen Shea Bracken is an Edmond attorney with 12 years’ experience as a medical malpractice, personal injury and products liability lawyer. Born in Shawnee, he grew up in Stillwater and served in the Marines. He was deployed to Fallujah during Operation Freedom II. And he graduated from OSU in 2008 and Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2011.
On the site, sheabracken.com, his campaign website, is a headline, “Fight for Our Freedom.” Under the headline reads, “Having served as a U.S. Marine on the frontlines of Iraq, Shea Bracken is a proven fighter for freedom. He will always defend Oklahoma from federal government overreach and be a powerful voice for life and liberty.” Bracken has two young children and is married to wife Lindsay.
Defending the Second Amendment and the rights of the unborn are two of the goals Bracken lists on his website.
Crosswhite Hader and Bracken will appear at the Countyline Republicans Legislative Candidate Panel from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at the Canadian Valley Technology Center Cowan Campus, 1701 S Czech Hall Road. The panel is free to the public.
There is one Democrat who has filed for the legislative seat, Mike Bockus, so there is no Democratic primary. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Meanwhile, on the ballots June 18, voters will also cast ballots for state corporation commissioner. Candidates are Republicans J. Brian Bingman, Russell Ray and Justin Hornback.
For U.S. Congressional District 3 are Republican candidates Frank D. Lucas, incumbent, Robin Lynn Carder and Darren Hamilton.
Read The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette for election coverage.
