Ajay Pittman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theOklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district | |
| Assumed office 2019 | |
| Preceded by | George E. Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ayshia K. M. Pittman (1993-09-10)September 10, 1993 (age 32) |
| Nationality | American Seminole Nation of Oklahoma |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parent |
|
Ayshia K. M. Pittman (born September 10, 1993) is aSeminole-American politician who currently serves as a member of theOklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district as a member of theDemocratic Party. She is the thirdSeminole to serve in theOklahoma Legislature.
Ayshia K. M. Pittman was born on September 10, 1993, toAnastasia Pittman, who served in theOklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district and in theOklahoma Senate.[1][2] Pittman is a member of theSeminole Nation of Oklahoma, and is the great-great-granddaughter of Abner Burnett, who survived theTulsa race massacre.[2][3] Pittman attended theUniversity of Oklahoma and graduated from theOklahoma Policy Institute.[4][better source needed]
Pittman filed to run for the 99th district of theOklahoma House of Representatives in 2018, alongside fellowDemocratic candidates Nkem House, Crentha Sequoya Turner, Chris Harrison, and Steve Davis.[5] House filed contests of candidacy against Pittman and Harrison, with theOklahoma State Election Board keeping Pittman on the ballot and removing Harrison.[6][7] Pittman later advanced to a runoff alongside House, which she won.[8][9] She succeeded RepresentativeGeorge E. Young, who had run for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate.[10]
In 2020, Pittman ran for reelection and in the Democratic primary she was challenged by Susan Porter, the daughter ofE. Melvin Porter who was the first black member of the Oklahoma Senate.[2] Pittman defeated Porter in the Democratic primary.[11]
In 2020, Pittman was appointed to the Joint Legislative Committee on State and Tribal Relations by Speaker of the HouseCharles McCall.[12]
During the2020 presidential election Pittman endorsedJoe Biden for theDemocratic presidential nomination.[13] In 2020, Pittman was endorsed byEMILY's List.[14]
In 2021, legislation which would prohibit governmental entities from mandating vaccination and from inflicting penalties against any person who refuses to vaccinate, including children, was passed through the public health committee by a vote of seven to one, with Pittman being the only vote against.[15] The legislation later passed in the state house by a vote of seventy-one to twenty-five.[16]
In 2024, Pittman ran for reelection and faced a primary challenge from Brittane Grant. In late May the Oklahoma Ethics Commission released a settlement agreement between Pittman and the commission that fined her $17,141 and ordered her to repay $17,858.22 to her campaign for improperly drawing funds from her campaign and inaccurate reporting of contributions. Pittman said the agreement was "regarding a clerical error."[17][18] In June, she filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Grant from the ballot for a 2016 guilty plea for a deferred sentence.[19] Pittman won the primary election.[20]
On October 16, 2025, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission filed acivil suit against Pittman allegingfraud on the same day Oklahoma Attorney GeneralGentner Drummond's office executed asearch warrant on her legislative office and her motherAnastasia Pittman's home.[21][22] The commission's suit alleged Pittman submitted a letter during their investigation she claimed was from her building manager, but was actually written by her mother. The suit also alleged that Pittman submitted a fake $2,500cashier's check to make a donation from theOsage Nation appear as if she was paying part of her campaign finance fine.[23] Speaker of the Oklahoma HouseKyle Hilbert removed her from the state's tribal relations committee due to the allegations.[24] A week later she was suspended from the rest of her committee assignments and the House Democratic Caucus.[25]
On October 28, 2025, a returned search warrant confirmedOklahoma Attorney General Drummond's office had launched a criminal investigation into Pittman forembezzlement, fraud, and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.[22]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman | 2,194 | 38.13% | |
| Democratic | Nkem House | 1,848 | 32.12% | |
| Democratic | Steve Davis | 1,005 | 17.47% | |
| Democratic | Crentha Sequoya Turner | 707 | 12.29% | |
| Total votes | 5,754 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman | 1,481 | 51.91% | |
| Democratic | Nkem House | 1,372 | 48.09% | |
| Total votes | 2,853 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman (incumbent) | 2,837 | 51.95% | |
| Democratic | Susan Porter | 2,624 | 48.05% | |
| Total votes | 5,461 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ajay Pittman (incumbent) | 1,322 | 53.54% | |
| Democratic | Brittane Grant | 1,147 | 46.46% | |
| Total votes | 2,469 | 100.00% | ||
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