Greg McCortney (born May 30, 1974) is an American politician who served in the Oklahoma Senate representing the 13th district from 2016 to 2024.
Greg McCortney | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Majority Leader of the Oklahoma Senate | |
| In office October 27, 2021 – November 12, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kim David |
| Succeeded by | Julie Daniels |
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 13th district | |
| In office November 17, 2016 – November 13, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Susan Paddack |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Wingard |
| Mayor of Ada, Oklahoma | |
| In office 2012–2013 | |
| Ada City Councilor | |
| In office 2011 – September 20, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Roger Cupps |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 30, 1974 Ada, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Oklahoma City University (BA) Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv) |
Born in Ada, Oklahoma, McCortney was a Christian minister and the owner of healthcare businesses before he was elected to the Ada City Council in 2011. In 2012 and 2013, he was elected mayor. He left the city council in September 2016 and joined the Oklahoma Senate that November. He was elected majority floor leader in 2021 and was elected by the Republican caucus to succeed Greg Treat as President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate in 2024. He lost his reelection campaign later that June to Jonathan Wingard.
Early life
editGreg McCortney was born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma, where he graduated from Ada High School in 1992. He later earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma City University and a master's of divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.[1]
After college, McCortney ministered in Norman, Oklahoma, and for Oklahoma City Hospice. In 2004, he founded McCortney Family Hospice and in 2008 he founded McCortney Family In-home Care.[1]
Ada City Council and Mayor
editMcCortney ran against incumbent Ada City Councilor Roger Cupps in 2011.[2] He defeated Cupps in the election with 73% of the vote.[3] He was reelected in 2013 over challenger Don Rice with 68% of the vote.[4] He was reelected to a third term in March 2015.[5] He also served as mayor from 2012 to 2013.[1] He officially resigned from the city council on September 20, 2016 to focus on his campaign for the Oklahoma Senate.[6]
Oklahoma State Senate
editIn 2016, McCortney ran to succeed term limited Democratic state senator Susan Paddack in the 13th district. He faced Shawn Howard and Jet McCoy in the Republican primary.[7] McCoy led in the primary and advanced to a runoff alongside McCortney.[8] McCortney won the runoff with 52% of the vote.[9] He defeated the Democratic candidate, Eric Hall, in the general election.[10]
In October 2021, McCortney was promoted to Majority Leader of the Oklahoma Senate because former Majority Leader Kim David was term limited from the Senate in 2022 and retiring from the position.[11] He was succeeded as Majority Leader by Julie Daniels on November 12, 2024.[12]
In February 2023, it was reported McCortney accepted money from the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, a pro-cockfighting political action committee.[13] Later that year in June, McCortney spoke in favor of compacts with tribal nations in Oklahoma.[14]
In February 2024, he was elected by his colleagues as the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate designate for the following legislative secession, defeating senators Casey Murdock and David Bullard in the leadership election.[15] That June he lost his primary election to Jonathan Wingard.[16]
Electoral history
editThis section needs expansion with: election results. You can help by adding to it. (June 2024) |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Greg McCortney | 887 | 73.4% | |
| Nonpartisan | Roger Cupps (incumbent) | 321 | 26.6% | |
| Total votes | 1,208 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Greg McCortney (incumbent) | 409 | 67.9% | |
| Nonpartisan | Don Rice | 193 | 32.1% | |
| Total votes | 602 | 100 | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c "McCortney announces candidacy for state Senate, District 13". The Ada News. April 24, 2015. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Randy City (February 3, 2011). "Cupps is running for Ada City Council seat". The Ada News. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Lofton, Justin (March 2, 2011). "And the winners are..." The Ada News. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ a b Swanson, Eric (March 5, 2013). "Two veteran councilmen, one newcomer elected". The Ada News. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Eric (March 3, 2015). "Draper wins first term on council; Morris, McCortney to return to office". The Ada News. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Eric (September 2, 2016). "McCortney to step down from Ada City Council". The Ada News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Eric (June 18, 2016). "Five candidates seeking state Senate seat". The Ada News. Archived from the original on June 19, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Eric (June 28, 2016). "McCoy, McCortney set for runoff vote". The Ada News. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Eric (August 25, 2016). "With runoff win, McCortney advances to November ballot". The Ada News. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Eric (November 9, 2016). "McCortney claims Oklahoma Senate seat". The Ada News. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Oklahoma Senate president pro tem announces new leadership". KTUL. Associated Press. October 27, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Gerard, Jordan (November 12, 2024). "Oklahoma Senate Republicans, Democrats name new leaders ahead of 2025 session". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ Allen, Mike; Savage, Tres (February 26, 2023). "Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol". NonDoc. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ Savage, Tres (June 6, 2023). "Stitt vetoes highlight reignited fight on state-tribal tobacco compacts". NonDoc. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Savage, Tres (February 12, 2024). "GOP members choose Sen. Greg McCortney as president pro tempore designee". NonDoc. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Savage, Tres (June 19, 2024). "Senate shake up: Greg McCortney, Jessica Garvin ousted". NonDoc.
External links
edit- Archived copy of Senate biography from May 29, 2024.