DistinctlyOK: T.W. Shannon: OK Speaker of the House and Agent of Change
T.W. Shannon: Oklahoma Speaker of the House and Agent of Change
By Keith A. Eaton, Distinctly Oklahoma
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma on February 24, 1978, T.W. Shannon found success early in life. He earned a bachelors of arts degree in communications from Cameron University and a juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University Law School. He worked as a field representative for former Congressman J.C. Watts a decade ago, and served in the same position for Congressman Tom Cole the following two years. An enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, Shannon worked as the chief administrative officer for Chickasaw Nation Enterprises.
Shannon was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2006, beating opponent Janice Drewry in the general election for Oklahoma state legislative district 62 representative. He quickly rose to leadership in the state House, where he served as deputy majority whip in his first term, chaired the powerful Transportation Committee in only his second term, and was elected Speaker-designate in his third term. On January 8, 2013, Shannon took the oath of office to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Understanding Shannon’s rise to the Speakership is best understood by listening to the people he has worked for and with during his maturing process and by soliciting Shannon’s self-analysis of his style.