As you may know, voters in Oklahoma are about to go back to the polls in a SPECIAL ELECTION to fill the state Senate seat vacated by now-Governor Brad Henry (17th District—Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, and Cleveland Counties).  Election Day is February 11th, and Governor Henry has tapped Shawnee attorney Charlie Laster to fill his seat. 

Charlie was born and raised in Shawnee and attended OSU on an athletic scholarship, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college. Charlie worked his way through law school as a janitor and has represented small businesses and families in the Shawnee area for 24 years. As a parent of two children in public schools, Charlie understands the challenges that parents, teachers, and schools face.

The 17^th district is heavily Republican, but we lead in the polls (although our opponent just went negative against us after pledging to run a positive campaign).  With the right field effort and turnout, we are confident we can give Governor Henry an 8-seat majority rather than a 6-seat majority in the Senate. 

We have a need for door knockers, lit droppers, phone callers, and drivers.  We also hope to canvass the entire district (37 precincts), not all of which are walk-able, on the weekend prior to the election (February 8^th and 9^th) and on Election Day. On Saturday, February 8^th, we will be having a pancake breakfast for our volunteers at the Shawnee Senior Citizens’ Center at 401 N. Bell in Shawnee. The breakfast kicks off at 8:30am, and following the breakfast, we’ll begin walking, lit dropping and making phone calls around 10am.

Please call Lauren at 405-395-9002 to get involved.

Contributions can be sent to

Friends of Charlie Laster

P.O. Box 1233

Shawnee, OK 74802.