First Term House of Representatives

I had the pleasure of interviewing Representative Kevin West (R), District 54 of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

I was impressed with Representative West from the first time that I met him.  He is someone that understands career and technical education since being educated at an early age in woodworking, which led him to pursue a career in construction. He eventually went on to own his own cabinet shop, Precision Case Work, here in Oklahoma City.

I asked him why he ran for the State House in 2016 and he said he has always been interested in politics.  He said politics has a direct correlation to business but understands that the government in some aspects cannot be run like a business.

During the 2016 election, Representative West was one of the 32 first term elected representatives.  In the District 54 House election he had a Democrat as well as an Independent opponent that ran for the House seat.  He won 62% of the vote compared to 26% of the vote to the Democrat opponent and 12% to the Independent candidate.  His house seat in past years has always been held by a Republican.

Representative West currently serves on the following House Committees:  Business, Commerce and Tourism; Judiciary – Civil and Environmental; and he serves as Vice Chair on the Rules Committee.

I asked Representative West what he sees as the biggest challenge serving in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.  He said the State of Oklahoma is facing one of the biggest deficits in state history.  He said that both sides of the House have to work on solving the state budget crisis.  This can only be done by listening to each other and compromising on some issues that are being introduced.  He said that being one of 32 newly elected representatives, he feels they are fortunate to have great leadership that provides guidance to the newly-elected officials.

We at Moore Norman Technology Center were fortunate to host Representative West during one of our legislative visits to campus.  He got to visit with secondary students and a business client.  The highlight of the visit was his tour of the Construction program, which he is familiar with since his early education years and currently in his own occupation.

https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_West

Ernie Gomez
2017 OK PACE Division Fellow
Moore Norman Technology Center
Oklahoma City, OK