McGowen Files for OK House District 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Steven McGowen Files for Oklahoma House District 1

April 17, 2016 (Idabel, OK) –Steven McGowen, a fourth generation McCurtain
County resident, declared his candidacy to serve his community as State
Representative for House District 1. He filed the papers on Wednesday at the
Oklahoma State Capitol, representing residents of an area encompassing McCurtain
County and parts of LeFlore County.

Steven McGowen, age 41, son of Earl and Sue McGowen, was raised in McCurtain
County, where his great, great grandfather’s family settled as sharecroppers just
after the Civil War.

McGowen served in the U.S Army at the age of 18 for four years and then three years
in the National Guard. “My family instilled in me that it is important to repay the
blessing of living in the greatest country.”

From sharecropper’s heritage to civil servant, McGowen served in law enforcement
for nine years, which included time as a Sheriff’s Deputy. At the Idabel Police
Department, McGowen served as the treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police,
(FOP). About his time in law enforcement, McGowen stated, “McCurtain County is
the third largest county in Oklahoma – so it takes a steady hand to watch over her –
but we have good people, decent, hard-working patriots that pull together and take
care of each other, so it has been a privilege to serve in a law enforcement capacity.”

McGowen is a Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN, at McCurtain Memorial Hospital where
his children were born. Robin McGowen, Steve’s wife of nearly 20 years, is also a
LPN who has worked in hospice and home healthcare.

“Working as a nurse and living in a small community, I am caring for the people I
know. Rural hospitals are vital for our communities and the reason my dad is still
alive – if he had to drive over an hour away or more for care after his accident, it
would have been a different outcome. Our local hospital has good doctors and good
care.”

McGowen continued, “Obamacare has kicked our community in the teeth; healthcare
premiums are up and many have lost coverage. Cutbacks in healthcare are hurting
people and I want to help fight for healthcare issues so that people in my district are
able to receive the best care possible.”

McGowen also owns and runs a small cattle business, Double R Ranch, with his dad,
Earl McGowen, who retired in 2005 from Valliant Paper Mill.

With a lifetime of civil service, his deep roots and care in the community, Steven
McGowen is running for the State House of Representatives to bring common sense
solutions. He said, “I can no longer sit on the sidelines complaining, it is time to get
to work – I have an obligation to my children, my family, and my community. My
campaign is about roots in the district and results at the Capitol; I will make sure my
district’s needs are heard and responded to in Oklahoma City.”

McGowen continued, “It would be an honor to represent a place that has been home
for many generations – I want to take my life experiences and knowledge in
agriculture, veteran’s issues, and healthcare to the Oklahoma Capitol to fight for the
issues that matter to the people of House District 1.”

Running on the Republican ticket, McGowen is not just about the party line. He said,
“HD1 is about God, country, and guns. For me, it’s about communities vs. big
government, and I am going to fight for communities every time – along with fiscal
responsibility, pro-2nd amendment, and pro-life issues, which includes healthcare
for a good quality of life.”

The McGowen family attends First Baptist Church in Idabel. The couple’s children,
Elizabeth (14) and Tyler (12), attend Forest Grove Public School. Steven’s sister,
Laura Wimberly, is a public school teacher.

For more information on Steven McGowen’s campaign, or to sign up to volunteer for
his campaign, please visit www.stevenmcgowen.com.

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