The House Majority Caucus has nominated Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, for the position of Speaker Pro Temporeelect.
The Speaker Pro Tempore serves as the chamber's second highest officer and assists leadership in all facets of administering the business of the House. The position serves as a voting member on all House committees.
"It's an honor to be entrusted by my colleagues in this capacity," Hilbert said. "With such a large majority caucus, we have an incredible opportunity to move the needle for our state to grow our economy, expand our workforce, boost broadband across the state and improve our public education system, pre-K through Ph.D."
Hilbert was elected to the House in 2016 and is currently vice chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Committee. He holds a bachelor's degree in agribusiness from Oklahoma State University, where he served as president of the Student Government Association. He and his wife, Alexis, live in Bristow with their daughter, Addison.
Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, applauded the nomination.
"Representative Kyle Hilbert’s strong intellect, problem-solving abilities and communication skills will be major benefits to our shared goals as a Caucus and to Oklahoma at large," McCall said. "His reputation as one of hardest working, most well-liked members of the Legislature won him enthusiastic support from our Caucus in being named Speaker Pro Tempore-elect, and we look forward to his well-deserved formal election before the full body Tuesday."
Republicans have a supermajority in the House, controlling 82 of the chamber's 101 seats – the largest Republican majority in state history.
The formal election for Speaker Pro Tempore will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8 before the full House. Immediately following the formal election, the new speaker pro tempore will take the oath of office as administered by a justice from the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
If Hilbert is elected, he will be the youngest Speaker Pro Tempore in modern history at 27 years old.