SALLISAW - If State Rep. John Bennett decides to run for another term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, he’ll have a familiar challenger in this next election. Prominent Sallisaw resident Tom Stites announced on Tuesday night that he will seek the seat currently held by Bennett for a second time.
Stites ran against Bennett as a Democrat in 2016, garnering 45% of the vote in that race.
“This week I will file as a candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Nan and I are overwhelmed by the support, prayer and love that several hundred of you educators, state employees, friends, business people and family have been heaping on us for weeks.” Stites said in an announcement Tuesday. “I will not be a normal candidate. This will not be a normal campaign. I will insist it not be about party politics but about us as a united people who truly want better for our kids, our community and state. I can’t do this alone, but as a team and together we can.”
Stites is a Sallisaw native who resided in the Fort Worth, Texas area for several years where he was the Chief Club Designer for Nike Golf. He has overseen the design of clubs such as those of professionals like Tiger Woods. He returned to his hometown in 2013, but remained on board as a consultant for Nike.
He is the son of former State Representative J.T. Stites, who helped educate scores of Sequoyah County students as a teacher, coach, and educator before entering politics.
