State Representative Dist. 13
Political Party: Republican Hometown: Muskogee Current Town: Muskogee Education: Ed.D. – Oral Roberts University MA & BS – Northeastern State University
Age: 56 Candidate Background:
Jarod Mendenhall is a fourth-generation Oklahoman, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern State University and a doctorate from Oral Roberts University. Mendenhall is married to Shannon Mendenhall, and they share three daughters.
Mendenhall has been an educator for 33 years, serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator in numerous capacities. For thirteen years, he has served as a school superintendent for two of the largest school districts in Oklahoma – Broken Arrow Public Schools and Muskogee Public Schools.
Mendenhall led bond referendums in both school districts which transformed their communities. His unique ability to collaborate with stakeholders and bring people to consensus is unmatched. Both Broken Arrow and Muskogee are recipients of these skills through state-of-the-art facilities, a renewed sense of pride, and a vision for the future.
Mendenhall is also a lifetime Republican. He believes in the conservative principles of the party and is committed to upholding these tenets. Mendenhall wants to help return taxpayer’s dollars to Oklahomans by lowering the income tax, expanding economic development to House District 13, and removing barriers to new businesses.
1. Have you ever failed to pay any taxes or court ordered judgements?
No
2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No
What are the top three messages of your campaign?
1. I want to represent those living in District 13 by being their advocate at the state house. I am dedicated to the values of our families in Northeast Oklahoma and will fight to protect our way of life.
2. I am committed to removing barriers for businesses. I feel it’s important that businesses thrive and grow by removing the red tape and bureaucracy from the government.
3. I am committed to removing the state’s income tax. This is a burden to spurring the economic development and the expansion of other businesses throughout District 13.
What are the top three most pressing issues facing rural Oklahoma? How would you address these issues if elected?
We must ensure our rural school districts remain open and vibrant. I am not a proponent of consolidation and I will fight to keep our Oklahoma rural schools open. The recent legislation voted on by our current state representative will move toward shutting down rural schools. I will work to ensure we keep our rural schools open and vibrant.
Lowering and/or removing the state’s income tax is important. There are states around Oklahoma that have removed this tax burden and it has allowed new corporate businesses to relocate to their state. In rural Oklahoma, removing the income tax will allow us to bring in new industries and businesses.
Explain your positions on economic development as it pertains to rural Oklahoma in general and Eastern Oklahoma in particular.
I am committed to expanding opportunities for economic development in District 13. The Port of Muskogee, the I-40 corridor in Checotah, and the Northwest region of Haskell are primed for new development to occur. It will be imperative these communities prepare through incentives, grants, and other funding mechanisms to entice new development to occur. As your state representative, I will assist these municipalities in helping attract these developments and ensure new growth can occur.
