Wes Watkins
Encyclopedia
Wesley Wade "Wes" Watkins (born December 15, 1938) is a politician
from the state
of Oklahoma
. He is a retired member of the United States House of Representatives
where Watkins had represented Oklahoma's 3rd Congressional District
for 14 years as a Democrat
and then for six years as a Republican
.
but moved to Oklahoma as a boy. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1960, receiving a master's
degree
from that same school in 1961. After a brief stint working for the United States Department of Agriculture
, he worked as an administrator at his alma mater
from 1963 to 1966. During that time, he was initiated into Tau Kappa Epsilon
Fraternity as an honorary member while serving as their faculty advisor. Later, he spent two years heading one of the first economic development districts in the country, based in Ada
.
in the early 1970s, and was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1974. Two years later, U. S. House Speaker
Carl Albert
announced his retirement after 30 years representing Oklahoma's 3rd Congressional District
. The district, which was based in the southeastern part of the state and known as Little Dixie
, was heavily Democratic in both local and national elections. Watkins faced a formidable opponent in Albert's popular longtime Chief of Staff and Administrative Assistant Charles Ward. However, Watkins. a homebuilder and remodeler and wife Lou, a political science teacher had closer local ties in the district, as Ward had been in Washington DC for decades. Watkins prevailed in the Democratic primary runoff and he then gained Albert's endorsement and won the general election with 82% of the vote. He was re-elected six more times, always by close to 80% of the vote. For most of this time, he served on the Budget or Appropriations Committees, allowing him to bring large amounts of money to his mostly rural
and agricultural
district. He was also very active in oil
and natural gas
issues, and took particularly strong interest in economic development issues for his rural district.
. He ran ahead of House Speaker Steve Lewis, yet lost to eventual winner David Walters
, who had been the Democratic Gubernatorial nominee 4 years earlier in 1986. Watkins was openly disappointed in the lack of support of the hierarchy of the state Democratic party. In 1994, Watkins ran for governor again, this time as an independent. He only won 23% of the vote. However, his independent candidacy siphoned off enough votes from Lieutenant Governor
Jack Mildren
, the Democratic candidate, to allow Frank Keating
, a Reagan administration official, to become only the third Republican governor in Oklahoma history.
, a Democrat and former state representative from Madill, Oklahoma
who had succeeded Watkins in the 3rd District, decided to retire from Congress as it became known that Watkins wanted his seat back. The House leadership
persuaded him to run as a Republican. They promised a seat on the Ways and Means Committee with full seniority if he ran as a Republican and won. No congressman had ever served on all three of the major financial committees (Appropriations, Budget and Ways and Means) before. Despite Albert endorsing Watkins' Democratic opponent State Sen. Darryl Roberts, Watkins won a narrow victory, becoming the first Republican to represent this district called Little Dixie
since Oklahoma joined the Union in 1907. The Republicans had never made a serious bid for the seat before.
He initially planned to retire from office in 1998 after undergoing back surgery, but was persuaded to run again. He was handily re-elected that year defeating Walt Roberts and faced no major-party opposition when he ran for his third term in 2000.
Watkins' voting record in his first period in Congress had been characterized as somewhat moderate. During his second period, however, his voting record was strongly conservative
, usually receiving ratings in the high 90s from the American Conservative Union
.
Jim Inhofe
's bid for a second full term.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. He is a retired member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
where Watkins had represented Oklahoma's 3rd Congressional District
Oklahoma Congressional Districts
As of the 2000 census, there are five Oklahoma United States congressional districts. Previous to the 2000 Census, Oklahoma had six congressional districts. Oklahoma was one of eight states to lose one seat in the House of Representatives that year....
for 14 years as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and then for six years as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
Early life and career
Watkins was born in De Queen, ArkansasDe Queen, Arkansas
De Queen is a city and the county seat of Sevier County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 5,765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:De Queen is located at ....
but moved to Oklahoma as a boy. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1960, receiving a master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
from that same school in 1961. After a brief stint working for the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
, he worked as an administrator at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
from 1963 to 1966. During that time, he was initiated into Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent...
Fraternity as an honorary member while serving as their faculty advisor. Later, he spent two years heading one of the first economic development districts in the country, based in Ada
Ada, Oklahoma
Ada is a city in and the county seat of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 16,008 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the city population was estimated at 17,019....
.
Entry into politics
Watkins became active in Democratic party politicsAmerican politics
American politics is an area of study within the academic discipline of political science. It is primarily, but not exclusively, studied by researchers in the United States...
in the early 1970s, and was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1974. Two years later, U. S. House Speaker
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
Carl Albert
Carl Albert
Carl Bert Albert was a lawyer and a Democratic American politician from Oklahoma.Albert represented the southeastern portion of Oklahoma as a Democrat for 30 years, starting in 1947. He is best known for his service as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977...
announced his retirement after 30 years representing Oklahoma's 3rd Congressional District
Oklahoma Congressional Districts
As of the 2000 census, there are five Oklahoma United States congressional districts. Previous to the 2000 Census, Oklahoma had six congressional districts. Oklahoma was one of eight states to lose one seat in the House of Representatives that year....
. The district, which was based in the southeastern part of the state and known as Little Dixie
Little Dixie (Oklahoma)
Little Dixie is the name given to the southeast region of Oklahoma, which is heavily influenced by southern "Dixie" culture, as it was settled chiefly by Southerners seeking a start in new lands following the American Civil War...
, was heavily Democratic in both local and national elections. Watkins faced a formidable opponent in Albert's popular longtime Chief of Staff and Administrative Assistant Charles Ward. However, Watkins. a homebuilder and remodeler and wife Lou, a political science teacher had closer local ties in the district, as Ward had been in Washington DC for decades. Watkins prevailed in the Democratic primary runoff and he then gained Albert's endorsement and won the general election with 82% of the vote. He was re-elected six more times, always by close to 80% of the vote. For most of this time, he served on the Budget or Appropriations Committees, allowing him to bring large amounts of money to his mostly rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
and agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
district. He was also very active in oil
Petroleum industry
The petroleum industry includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transporting , and marketing petroleum products. The largest volume products of the industry are fuel oil and gasoline...
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
issues, and took particularly strong interest in economic development issues for his rural district.
Attempts at running for governor
Watkins didn't seek an eighth congressional term in 1990, but instead raised a then record setting 3 million dollars and ran for the Democratic nomination for governorGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. He ran ahead of House Speaker Steve Lewis, yet lost to eventual winner David Walters
David Walters
David Lee Walters was the 24th Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995.-Biography:Walters was born near Canute, Oklahoma. He graduated as valedictorian from Canute High School in 1969. He later graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering...
, who had been the Democratic Gubernatorial nominee 4 years earlier in 1986. Watkins was openly disappointed in the lack of support of the hierarchy of the state Democratic party. In 1994, Watkins ran for governor again, this time as an independent. He only won 23% of the vote. However, his independent candidacy siphoned off enough votes from Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
Jack Mildren
Jack Mildren
Larry Jack Mildren a native Texan, was an All-American quarterback at The University of Oklahoma in his college years, and professional football player with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots, an oil company owner, was elected as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, and enjoyed a...
, the Democratic candidate, to allow Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
, a Reagan administration official, to become only the third Republican governor in Oklahoma history.
Return to Congress
In 1996, Bill BrewsterWilliam K. Brewster
William K. "Bill" Brewster is a Democratic politician and a retired U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma.-Early life and career:...
, a Democrat and former state representative from Madill, Oklahoma
Madill, Oklahoma
Madill is a city in Marshall County, Oklahoma, United States. The city was founded in 1901 and is named for George Alexander Madill, an attorney for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, popularly known as the Frisco. The 2009 population estimate was 3,781...
who had succeeded Watkins in the 3rd District, decided to retire from Congress as it became known that Watkins wanted his seat back. The House leadership
Republican Conference of the United States House of Representatives
The House Republican Conference is the party caucus for Republicans in the United States House of Representatives. It hosts meetings and is the primary forum for communicating the party's message to members...
persuaded him to run as a Republican. They promised a seat on the Ways and Means Committee with full seniority if he ran as a Republican and won. No congressman had ever served on all three of the major financial committees (Appropriations, Budget and Ways and Means) before. Despite Albert endorsing Watkins' Democratic opponent State Sen. Darryl Roberts, Watkins won a narrow victory, becoming the first Republican to represent this district called Little Dixie
Little Dixie (Oklahoma)
Little Dixie is the name given to the southeast region of Oklahoma, which is heavily influenced by southern "Dixie" culture, as it was settled chiefly by Southerners seeking a start in new lands following the American Civil War...
since Oklahoma joined the Union in 1907. The Republicans had never made a serious bid for the seat before.
He initially planned to retire from office in 1998 after undergoing back surgery, but was persuaded to run again. He was handily re-elected that year defeating Walt Roberts and faced no major-party opposition when he ran for his third term in 2000.
Watkins' voting record in his first period in Congress had been characterized as somewhat moderate. During his second period, however, his voting record was strongly conservative
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
, usually receiving ratings in the high 90s from the American Conservative Union
American Conservative Union
The American Conservative Union is an American political organization advocating conservative policies, and is the oldest such conservative lobbying organization in the country.-Organization:...
.
Retirement from Congress
Oklahoma lost a congressional seat after the 2000 census due to slower than expected population growth. After receiving indications that his home in Stillwater (where he had lived since 1990) would be drawn out of the 3rd district, Watkins announced he would retire for good. In an indication of how much his politics had evolved since leaving the House for the first time, Watkins served as honorary chairman for conservative SenatorUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Jim Inhofe
Jim Inhofe
James Mountain "Jim" Inhofe is the senior Senator from Oklahoma and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the Senate in 1994, he is the ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and was its chairman from 2003 to 2007. Inhofe served eight...
's bid for a second full term.
Legacy
- Wes Watkins Technology CenterWes Watkins Technology CenterWes Watkins Technology Center is a public career and technology education center located in Wetumka, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system.-Namesake:Wes Watkins is an Oklahoma politician...
- Inducted into Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of FameOklahoma CareerTech Hall of FameThe Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame is an award given to individuals who, through their outstanding professional and personal achievements, have brought honor and distinction to career and technology education in Oklahoma....
in 1991. - Wes Watkins ReservoirWes Watkins ReservoirWes Watkins Reservoir is a reservoir located in central Oklahoma, United States, between Oklahoma City and Shawnee . Its primary use is recreation, especially camping and fishing....
in central Oklahoma was named in honor of him. - The Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center owned by Oklahoma State University.
See also
- Politics of OklahomaPolitics of OklahomaPolitics of Oklahoma takes place in a framework of a presidential republic modeled after the United States, whereby the Governor of Oklahoma is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform two-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Governor and the government...
- Oklahoma Congressional DistrictsOklahoma Congressional DistrictsAs of the 2000 census, there are five Oklahoma United States congressional districts. Previous to the 2000 Census, Oklahoma had six congressional districts. Oklahoma was one of eight states to lose one seat in the House of Representatives that year....
- Oklahoma Democratic PartyOklahoma Democratic PartyThe Oklahoma Democratic Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Along with the Oklahoma Republican Party, it one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics....
- Oklahoma Republican PartyOklahoma Republican PartyThe Oklahoma Republican Party is a political party affiliated with the United States Republican Party . Along with the Oklahoma Democratic Party, it is one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics.-Voter base:...
- Little DixieLittle Dixie (Oklahoma)Little Dixie is the name given to the southeast region of Oklahoma, which is heavily influenced by southern "Dixie" culture, as it was settled chiefly by Southerners seeking a start in new lands following the American Civil War...
- Party switching in the United StatesParty switching in the United StatesIn the United States politics, party switching is any change in party affiliation of a partisan public figure, usually one who is currently holding elected office...
- Wes Watkins ReservoirWes Watkins ReservoirWes Watkins Reservoir is a reservoir located in central Oklahoma, United States, between Oklahoma City and Shawnee . Its primary use is recreation, especially camping and fishing....