The Tuesday, May 13, 2025 election will decide which Republican will face the Democrat candidate in two special elections to fill Oklahoma House seats.

In House District 71, Amanda Swope (D) who was re-elected in November decided to work in Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols office and resign from her House position.  In House District 74, Mark Vancuren (R) also just re-elected decided to work as Deputy County Commissioner under newly elected Commissioner Lonnie Sims.

These resignations set off the need for the two special elections.

District 71 saw three Republican women file and four Democrats.  In the April 1 primary election Democrat Amanda Clinton won the Democrat candidacy outright with 52 percent of the vote, and will sit out the runoff election. She will face the winner of the Republican runoff election in the June 10th general election.  The three way Republican primary election was trimmed down to two Republican candidates: Beverly Atteberry and Tania Garza.  This runoff election will decide the Republican candidate for the June 10 election.

Atteberry, 57, is a Tulsa attorney, a life long Republican and a member of the Tulsa County Republican Mens Club and Republican Women’s Club. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and her law degree from TU. She has been a small business owner. She does not support the Jungle Primary (California primary system).

Garza, 35, moved to Tulsa in 2013 from Texas, she has been a Republican since then.  Her work experience is as an insurance broker and in economic development.  She is a small business owner.  Her skills are in small business, and evaluating housing, workforce and educational needs.  She served on the Tulsa Regional Chamber task force on economic development, energy and enviroment.  She works on the Tulsa Remote as a cultural connector and positive change maker.

The District 74 contest saw only one Democrat file, Amy Hossain while five candidates filed in the Republican side of the primary.  On April 1st that field of five Republicans was trimmed down to the two that will face each other in this runoff election.  Sheila Vancuren (Mark Vancuren’s wife will face Dr. John Wayne (Kevin) Norwood.

Vancuren is longtime resident of Owasso, a mother of three grown children, an educator and coach, and a realtor.  She graduated from Bishop Kelley High School, has a bachelor’s in Biology from OSU and a master’s in counseling from East Central University.

Vancuren says “I’m running to defend our values, protect our families, and ensure a brighter future for Oklahoma. Together, we can strengthen our schools, promote healthier lives, and fight for the freedoms that make our state great.”

She says that her main emphasis is on 1. restoring excellence in education through smaller class sizes, quality teachers, and complete educational opportunities including band, sport and classroom excellence. 2. Protecting Oklahoma families by stopping illegal immigration, stopping gender transition of minors, and preserving fairness in women’s sports. 3.Improving Infrastructure by investing in roads and bridges for safer, stronger communities. 4. Promoting healthier lives by eliminating harmful additives and vaccine mandates to improve health, and  5. Defending life and liberty by supporting Pro-life issues, and Second Amendment rights.  Vancuren also says she stands with President Trump.

Norwood is a pastor and has a master’s from ORU in applied theology as well as a doctorate from Portland Seminary.  He has worked in Owasso for the past 30 years and has been involved in the community through various service organizations as well.

If elected he intends to champion tax relief for Oklahoma families, fund infrastructure and excellent education, revitalize Main Streets & support safe communities, fight for conservative policies, advance constitutional freedoms of life, liberty and opportunity, stop the green energy grift and grow Oklahoma small businesses.

“In thirty years of working with all ages and all walks of life – I have learned that success comes from meeting people where they are, and then working alongside them in bringing ideas to life, identifying skills, and creating opportunities that foster success,” stated Norwood. In every project that I have been honored to be a part of, I have concentrated not only on the desired outcomes but also on a step-by-step approach that prioritizes the well-being of both the individuals and every aspect of the process involved. I am so proud of Owasso, knowing our community and the people that make it a destination for families to call home  – and I intend to champion our  community and reflect our conservative Oklahoma values. I will work to create a vibrant economy, a low tax environment, safe communities, strong infrastructure, excellence in schools, and community and family initiatives.”