Oklahoma Freedom Caucus | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Shane Jett |
| Founded | September 3, 2024 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | |
| National affiliation | State Freedom Caucus Network |
| Seats in theOklahoma Republican Conference | 11 / 121 |
| Seats in theOklahoma Legislature | 11 / 149 |
TheOklahoma Freedom Caucus is acaucus in theOklahoma Legislature. It is generally considered the mostconservative bloc in the legislature. It was formed in September 2024 by Oklahoma conservatives inspired by the nationalHouse Freedom Caucus.
On September 3, 2024, Oklahoma State SenatorShane Jett announced the creation of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus alongside SenatorsDusty Deevers,Dana Prieto, andNathan Dahm. The caucus is affialiated with theState Freedom Caucus Network and keeps its full membership list secret.[1] The caucus's 2025 legislative agenda focused onillegal immigration.[3] After theassassination of Charlie Kirk in September 2025, five new legislators publicly identified with the caucus.[2] The following month, SenatorsMicheal Bergstrom andGeorge Burns were revealed to also be members of the caucus.[4]
The Oklahoman has described the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus as both "right wing" and "the state arm of a nationalfar-right group."[2] At the caucus's launch, House Vice ChairmanJim Olsen described the group asconservative and focused on "theConstitution, limited government, personal responsibility, family responsibility, lower taxation, low regulation, traditional marriage and family.”[1]
The Caucus has support from thestate GOP, whose leader,Charity Linch, has said she "back[s] what the Freedom Caucus is doing." and that the Caucus represents Republicans "with a backbone that will stand for what's right."[5] Jett, along with Linch, have expressed support for challenging Republican lawmakers deemed considered insufficiently conservative or willing to back the Caucus' staunchly conservative agenda. Jett says the state must rid "trans-Republicans, because they're only identifying as Republican, [but they] don't actually like Republicans or the Republican platform or Republican principles."
During the2024 elections, Caucus-backed challengers defeated nine incumbent Republicans.[5]
The Caucus has opposed efforts to bring open primaries to the state, which would allow voters to choose to vote in a party primary without declaring membership in the party.[5]
The Caucus has opposed efforts to increase the pay of elected officials, calling them "foolish and indulgent".[6]