Gabe Woolley
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{ infobox officeholder
| image = Gabe Woolley (2024).jpg
| caption = Woolley in 2024
| state_house = Oklahoma
| district = 98th
| term_start = November 20, 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Dean Davis
| successor =
| birth_name = Gabriel Christian Woolley
| birth_place = Jackson, Michigan, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|9|17}}
| party = Republican
| residence = Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, U.S.
| education = Oklahoma Wesleyan University
}}
Gabriel Christian Woolley (born September 17, 1994) is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 98th district since 2024.
Early life and career
Gabriel Christian Woolley was born on September 17, 1994, in Jackson, Michigan.{{cite web |title=Oklahoma State Rep. Gabe Woolley |url=https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/516621/Gabriel_Christian_Woolley.html |website=www.legistorm.com |publisher=LegiStorm |access-date=November 27, 2024 |language=en}} He graduated from Tulsa Technology Center in 2012, Tulsa Hope Academy (a private Christian high school) in 2013, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2020.{{cite web |title=Gabe Woolley |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Gabe_Woolley |website=ballotpedia.org |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=November 27, 2024 |language=en}} His parents, William 'Bill' Woolley and Lisa Woolley, have been in a custody dispute over Woolley's nephew. The couple lost custody after being charged with the death of their grandson Elijah. Charges were later dropped after it was determined Elijah died of sudden infant death syndrome, but Elijah's brother was not returned to the family.{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=M. Scott |title=DHS chief resignation follows custody case protest that Gov. Stitt's father participated in |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/08/22/oklahoma-department-human-services-resignation-clayton-woolley-stitt/74892627007/ |access-date=27 November 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=August 22, 2024}} Woolley runs the Rescue Clayton Podcast and Oklahoma Lion Media. He has partnered with Red River Media to create documentaries on his nephew's custody battle and criticizing "gender ideology."{{cite news |last1=Jacques |first1=Melissa |title=Broken Arrow's House District 98 runoff candidates explain positions |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/broken-arrows-house-district-98-runoff-candidates-explain-positions/article_79e1cf1a-5b3c-11ef-9ea2-631501ad6ecc.html |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |date=August 21, 2024 |language=en}}
He grew up in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and worked in education for nine years including for Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa Honor Academy, and in Phoenix, Arizona.{{cite news |last1=Loveless |first1=Tristan |title=House District 98 runoff: Dean Davis, Gabe Woolley face off to represent Broken Arrow district |url=https://nondoc.com/2024/08/26/house-district-98-runoff-dean-davis-and-gabe-woolley-face-off-to-represent-broken-arrow-district/ |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=NonDoc |date=August 26, 2024}} While teaching he used PragerU videos.{{cite news |last1=Wallis |first1=Beth |authorlink2=Ryan Walters (politician) |last2=Walters |first2=Ryan |last3=Woolley |first3=Gabe |title=Oklahoma is promoting a history curriculum using videos by conservative group PragerU |url=https://www.kosu.org/education/2023-09-08/oklahoma-is-promoting-a-history-curriculum-using-videos-by-conservative-group-prageru |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=KOSU |date=September 11, 2023}} He was an Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs J. Rufus Fears Fellow, named after professor J. Rufus Fears, and member of the Steamboat Institute's emerging leaders council.{{cite web |last1=Farmer |first1=Rick |title=OCPA’s Fears Fellows are making an impact |url=https://ocpathink.org/post/analysis/ocpas-fears-fellows-are-making-an-impact |website=ocpathink.org |publisher=Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs |access-date=November 25, 2024 |language=en |date=April 17, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Members of our Emerging Leaders Council are up to big things! |url=https://steamboatinstitute.org/update/members-of-our-emerging-leaders-council-are-up-to-big-things-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8/ |website=steamboatinstitute.org |publisher=Steamboat Institute |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=June 20, 2024}}
Oklahoma House
In 2024, Woolley ran against incumbent Dean Davis to represent the 98th district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Republican June primary also included J. David Taylor.{{cite news |last1=Jacques |first1=Melissa |title=Incumbent faces two challengers in GOP primary for House District 98 |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/incumbent-faces-two-challengers-in-gop-primary-for-house-district-98/article_496c7538-242d-11ef-9dd2-f700476e5b5b.html |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |date=June 14, 2024 |language=en}} Woolley advanced to an August runoff alongside Davis.{{cite news |last1=Hoberock |first1=Barbara |title=Voters sent some Oklahoma lawmakers packing while others wound up in runoffs |url=https://oklahomavoice.com/2024/06/18/voters-sent-some-oklahoma-lawmakers-packing-while-others-wound-up-in-runoffs/ |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=Oklahoma Voice |date=June 19, 2024}} In July, he spoke at a rally against child protective services in West Virginia.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Paige |title=Child Protective Services, foster care focus of rally at West Virginia Capitol |url=https://wchstv.com/news/local/cps-foster-care-focus-of-rally-at-wv-capitol |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=WCHS-TV |date=28 July 2024 |language=en}} The director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Deborah Shropshire, resigned after Woolley's family and Governor Kevin Stitt's father John Stitt public criticized the agency in August 2024. Stitt denied that Shropshire's resignation was related to Woolley's family's complaints.{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=M. Scott |title=DHS director's resignation not tied to Woolley state custody case, governor's office says |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/08/23/oklahoma-department-human-services-resignation-kevin-stitt-clayton-woolley/74904086007/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=August 23, 2024}}
He defeated Davis in the August runoff election with just over 50% of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Tres |title=Voters sink Stephens, wash out Wallace, dump Davis |url=https://nondoc.com/2024/08/27/voters-sink-stephens-wash-out-wallace-dump-davis/ |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=NonDoc |date=August 28, 2024}} He defeated Democratic candidate Cathy Smythe in the November general election.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Murray |title=Oklahoma House election results are coming in. What do they show? |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2024/11/05/oklahoma-house-election-results-2024-oklahoma-county-races/75989481007/ |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=November 5, 2024}}
=Tenure=
Woolley was sworn in by Dustin Rowe on November 20, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Jacques |first1=Melissa |title=Oklahoma House members take oath of office with 17 newly elected lawmakers |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/oklahoma-house-members-take-oath-of-office-with-17-newly-elected-lawmakers/article_78aaca46-a765-11ef-b573-1f0455fc8ff8.html |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |date=November 20, 2024 |language=en}} Later that month, Woolley voiced support for a grand jury investigation into the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.{{cite news |title=Organizers for Tulsa County Grand Jury Petition advocating investigation into OKDHS hosts news conference |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/organizers-for-tulsa-county-grand-jury-petition-advocating-investigation-into-okdhs-hosts-news-conference/article_6d116f5c-a920-11ef-a610-57c4f14cf593.html |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=KOKI-TV |date=November 22, 2024 |language=en}} He was one of three state legislators, alongside Julia Kirt and Dick Lowe, to attend the December 2024 Oklahoma State Board of Education executive session after Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued an attorney general's opinion requiring the board to allow legislator to observe the meeting.{{cite news |last1=Ndisabiye |first1=Sasha |title=As Walters touts new standards, board tackles dozens of certificate suspensions, revocations |url=https://nondoc.com/2024/12/19/as-walters-touts-new-standards-board-tackles-dozens-of-certificate-suspensions-revocations/ |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=NonDoc |date=December 20, 2024}}
=Committee positions=
Woolley served as the vice chair of the general government committee in the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.{{cite news |last1=Rott |first1=Seth |title=House Speaker-Elect Announces House Leadership, New Committee Structure, Chairs |url=https://mmrlobby.com/news/2lfpfgpfehka8hm7bk2pyssfebmr64 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=McSpadden Milner Rott |date=December 16, 2024}}
Political positions
The Oklahoman described Woolley as an "uber-conservative."{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=M. Scott |last2=Evans |first2=Murray |title=After elections, Oklahoma lawmakers prepare for challenging 2025 legislative session |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/11/11/oklahoma-elections-results-legislative-session-2025/76132250007/ |access-date=November 25, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=November 11, 2024}}
=Education=
Woolley supports the inclusion of the history of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre in state history standards.{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Lauren |title=Proposed public school standards target gaps in teaching Tulsa Race Massacre history |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/proposed-public-school-standards-target-gaps-in-teaching-tulsa-race-massacre-history-oklahoma-state-department-of-education-reques-students-additional-information-economic-social-content |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=KTUL |date=December 24, 2024}} He also supported Ryan Walters proposed social studies standards prominent inclusion of the Bible.{{cite news |last1=Lyon |first1=Devyn |title=OSDE releases new social studies standards for Oklahoma schools |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/osde-releases-new-social-studies-standards-for-oklahoma-schools/article_9cd919c0-be2d-11ef-aaa7-47823c8b1bea.html |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=KOKI-TV |date=December 19, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Murray |last2=Aston |first2=Alexia |title=Lawmakers review Ryan Walters' proposed social studies standards heavy on Bible, patriotism |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2024/12/21/ryan-walters-oklahoma-social-studies-standards-under-review/77107311007/ |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=December 23, 2024}}
=Energy=
Woolley spoke in opposition to wind and solar power in January 2025 alongside Attorney General Gentner Drummond and State Superintendent Ryan Walters.{{cite news |last1=Jacques |first1=Melissa |title=Against the wind: Green energy opponents rally at Oklahoma Capitol |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/green-energy-opponents-rally-at-oklahoma-capitol/article_1c740a00-cd33-11ef-bfa1-f33af0fdd34f.html |access-date=January 9, 2025 |work=Tulsa World |date=January 7, 2025}}
= LGBTQ+ rights =
Woolley identifies as a "former member of the LGBTQ community" and has argued LGBTQ people should not be allowed to adopt children. He also opposes access to transgender health care for children.
=Paganism=
Woolley criticized the Tulsa City Council for allowing a neopagan member of the faerie faith to give the invocation for one of their meetings, describing the prayer as "satanic."{{cite news |last1=Loveless |first1=Tristan |last2=Patterson |first2=Matt |last3=Savage |first3=Tres |last4=McNutt |first4=Michael |last5=Ndisabiye |first5=Sasha |title=Roundup: Cherokee tag deal struck, pagan prayer irritates politicians, OU finances improve, JNC busy |url=https://nondoc.com/2024/12/02/roundup-cherokee-tag-deal-pagan-prayer-tulsa-ou-financial-report-jnc-busy/ |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=NonDoc |date=December 2, 2024}}
=Turnpikes=
Woolley is a critic of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's power to raise the rate on toll roads in the state.{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Nyk |title=Oklahoma lawmakers call for more oversight on turnpike toll hikes |url=https://www.kgou.org/politics-and-government/2024-12-18/oklahoma-lawmakers-call-for-more-oversight-on-turnpike-toll-hikes |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=KGOU |date=December 18, 2024}} He supports requiring a vote of the Oklahoma Legislature to approve proposed rate increases.{{cite news |last1=Oklahoma House of Representatives |title=Woolley comments on turnpike fee hikes |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/woolley-comments-turnpike-fee-hikes-163200656.html |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=Yahoo News |agency=McAlester News-Capital |date=December 18, 2024 |format=Press Release}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change |title= 2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 98th district Republican primary{{cite web |title=June 18, 2024 Official Results |url=https://results.okelections.gov/OKER/?elecDate=20240618 |website=results.okelections.us |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |access-date=November 27, 2024}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Dean Davis (incumbent)
|votes = 911
|percentage = 42.4%
}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Gabe Woolley
|votes = 910
|percentage = 42.4%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = J. David Taylor
|votes = 327
|percentage = 15.2%
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 2,148
|percentage = 100%
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change |title= 2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 98th district Republican runoff{{cite web |title=August 27 2024 Official Results |url=https://results.okelections.gov/OKER/?elecDate=20240827 |website=results.okelections.us |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |access-date=November 27, 2024}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Gabe Woolley
|votes = 1,254
|percentage = 50.6%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Dean Davis (incumbent)
|votes = 1,226
|percentage = 49.4%
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 2,480
|percentage = 100%
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change |title= 2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 98th district general election{{cite web |title=November 5, 2024 Official Results |url=https://results.okelections.gov/OKER/?elecDate=20241105 |website=results.okelections.us |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |access-date=November 27, 2024}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Gabe Woolley
|votes = 10,871
|percentage = 66.7%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Cathy Smythe
|votes = 5,435
|percentage = 33.3%
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 16,306
|percentage = 100%
}}{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.okhouse.gov/representatives/gabe-woolley Official House webpage]
{{Oklahoma House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woolley, Gabe}}
Category:Anti-LGBTQ evangelical Christian activists in the United States
Category:LGBTQ state legislators in Oklahoma
Category:Oklahoma Wesleyan University alumni
Category:People from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Category:People from Jackson, Michigan
Category:Republican Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Category:Tulsa Public Schools teachers