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Bullard announces for House |
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Thursday, 05 November 2009 |
Lynn Bullard, an educator, rancher, minister and lifelong citizen of LeFlore County, has announced he is a candidate for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Neil Brannon.
“We’re at an important crossroads in our history,” said Bullard, of Poteau. “We need to stay grounded in our southeastern Oklahoma heritage and stay true to our traditional values, and we must work to bring jobs and prosperity to LeFlore County.
“This campaign will be about finding common-sense solutions for our state and making certain this area continues to have a strong voice at the Capitol,” Bullard added.
“In recent weeks, I’ve talked with numerous people throughout the county, everyday folks, who have encouraged me to look at this seat. They tell me they want a representative who shares their values and beliefs, and who wants to see this area grow and thrive. That’s the type of representative I want to be.
“I’ve always had a heart for service, whether it’s in the community, the school or the ministry.”
Bullard, in his 20th year in education, serves as superintendent of Fanshawe Public School. Previously, he was at Heavener, Hodgen, Monroe, Gans and Howe public schools.
He has taught at the elementary and secondary levels, including numerous special education subjects and high school American history.
Bullard said his education experience will help him in the debate over how state government is managed.
“At Fanshawe, we’ve had success, both academically and financially,” he said. “We’ve had consistently strong scores on the academic performance index, thanks to our first-rate teachers and staff. And we’ve used conservative management principles to build a solid financial base, so that we can survive when times get tough.
“We could use more of that proactive approach in the way we manage state government. We need an effective voice at the Capitol, to look out for the interests of southeastern Oklahoma.”
Bullard said he respects Brannon, who is leaving the House to run for State Senate.
“Representative Brannon has a long history of public service in LeFlore County as an educator and legislator,” he said. “I hope to continue his example of serving as an advocate at the Capitol for the people of this area.”
Bullard’s LeFlore County roots run deep. He is a graduate of Wister High School and Carl Albert State College. And his family has lived in the county for seven generations.
“Members of my family have lived, worked, farmed, raised livestock and taught school in LeFlore County since the 1870s,” he said. “I come from a family of educators, farmers and filling station operators. I raise cattle on the same land my great-grandfather did.
“This corner of the world is a part of who I am. I’m proud that Shannon and I are raising our kids here, and I’m running for the chance to represent my friends and neighbors in the Legislature.”
In addition to his work as an educator, Bullard is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and serves as senior pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Poteau. He has also pastored churches in Fanshawe, Wister and Bokoshe.
Bullard and his wife Shannon, a public school special education teacher, have been married for 16 years. They have twins, son Rylan and daughter Reagan, age six.
The Bullards also have a ranch where they raise Angus, registered Texas Longhorns and African Watusie cattle.
Lynn Bullard has served as Eastern Vice President for Oklahoma Rural Elementary Schools, First Vice President of Oasis International Ministries to Africa, and Section Two Men’s Representative for the Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God.
He is lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Cattleman’s Texas Longhorn Registry, the International Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administrators, and the Arkansas Valley Antique Tractor Club.
Bullard’s hobby is restoring classic cars and tractors with his brother Shawn and his father, Charles “Snooks” Bullard, the former superintendent at Gans Public School.
Bullard will kick off his campaign Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Kiamichi Technology Center, 1509 S. McKenna in Poteau.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )
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