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| Sen. Sean Burrage D-Claremore |
Claremore lawmaker Sean Burrage has been chosen to serve as the next Senate Democratic Floor Leader. Members of the caucus held a vote on Tuesday to decide who would follow Sen. Andrew Rice in the leadership post. Rice, D-Oklahoma City, recently announced he would resign from the Senate effective January 15.
Burrage said he was honored to lead the Senate Democrats in 2012.
“I believe we must always be focused on what’s good for our state—not what’s going to score the most political points. We want a stronger economy and top-paying jobs for our citizens. We want our children to have the best educational opportunities possible and we want to be safe when we are at school, work or at home. We want roads and bridges that are modern and safe as well. When we can agree on how to achieve those things, then those are programs we’ll support,” Burrage said. “But if proposed legislation comes at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, then we’ll be fighting to give those individuals a voice in the Senate.”
Burrage, an attorney and father of two, was reelected without opposition to a second term in the Senate in 2010. He currently serves as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate. His committee assignments include the Full Appropriations Committee, the Senate Standing Committees on Energy and Transportation, and he is the vice-chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Burrage also serves on the Senate Select Committee established to reform and strengthen Oklahoma’s pension systems, and served as vice-chairman of the 2011 Senate Redistricting Committee.
Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman congratulated Burrage on his new role in the Senate.
“I believe we must always be focused on what’s good for our state—not what’s going to score the most political points. We want a stronger economy and top-paying jobs for our citizens. We want our children to have the best educational opportunities possible and we want to be safe when we are at school, work or at home. We want roads and bridges that are modern and safe as well. When we can agree on how to achieve those things, then those are programs we’ll support,” Burrage said. “But if proposed legislation comes at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, then we’ll be fighting to give those individuals a voice in the Senate.”
Burrage, an attorney and father of two, was reelected without opposition to a second term in the Senate in 2010. He currently serves as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate. His committee assignments include the Full Appropriations Committee, the Senate Standing Committees on Energy and Transportation, and he is the vice-chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Burrage also serves on the Senate Select Committee established to reform and strengthen Oklahoma’s pension systems, and served as vice-chairman of the 2011 Senate Redistricting Committee.
Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman congratulated Burrage on his new role in the Senate.
"I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to my friend Senator Burrage on his election as the next Minority Leader,” Bingman said. “I have had the privilege of working with Sean for several years and have seen first hand his thoughtfulness and temperament. Though we may not agree on every issue, I believe Senator Burrage to be a man of integrity who will facilitate a healthy and honest public debate as the Senate works to move Oklahoma forward."
Governor Mary Fallin released a statement today on the selection of Burrage as the new Senate Minority Leader.
“My congratulations go out to Senator Burrage for his election to the post of Minority Leader,” Fallin said. “I look forward to working with him to build bipartisan consensus on policies that will create jobs, make government more efficient and accountable, and continue to move Oklahoma forward. Senator Burrage is a responsible, conscientious and effective lawmaker and I know he is more than up to the task.”
Burrage concluded by expressing gratitude to his fellow Democrats.
“We are committed to our constituents, and to creating public policy that will move our state forward,” Burrage said. “Again, I thank my fellow Democrats for the trust they’ve placed in me. I’m looking forward to working on behalf of all our citizens in the coming session.”
