Matt Pinnell

Matt Pinnell is an American politician serving as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma since 2019 under Governor Kevin Stitt. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the Oklahoma Republican State Chairman and held national roles within the Republican National Committee. Pinnell's career has focused on party building, grassroots organization, and promoting conservative policies in Oklahoma.

Early life and education

Matt Pinnell was born on October 31, 1979, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was raised in the Tulsa metropolitan area and attended Union Public Schools before pursuing higher education. Pinnell graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government. During his time at the university, he became actively involved in student politics and developed an early interest in the mechanics of political campaigns and the Republican Party apparatus.

Political career

Pinnell began his professional political career working for the Republican National Committee (RNC) in Washington, D.C., where he served as the National Victory Director. In this role, he was responsible for coordinating grassroots efforts and voter turnout operations for the party across the United States. He later returned to Oklahoma and was elected Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party in 2013, succeeding Dave Weston. As state chairman, Pinnell oversaw significant electoral gains for Republicans in the Oklahoma Legislature and helped secure victories in federal races for figures like U.S. Senator James Lankford. His tenure was noted for modernizing the state party's digital outreach and data operations.

Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma

Elected in 2018 on a ticket with gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt, Matt Pinnell was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma on January 14, 2019. His constitutional duties include serving as President of the Oklahoma Senate and acting as governor when Kevin Stitt is out of state. Pinnell has used the office to champion economic development, tourism, and workforce initiatives. He serves as the state's Secretary of Tourism and Branding, leading efforts to promote Oklahoma through campaigns like the "Oklahoma: Land of Dreams" rebrand. In this capacity, he works closely with the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Pinnell also chairs the Oklahoma Workforce Coordination Council and has been a vocal advocate for policies supporting the oil and gas industry in the state.

Electoral history

In the 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, the ticket of Kevin Stitt and Matt Pinnell won the Republican primary in a runoff against Mick Cornett and Dana Murphy. They then defeated the Democratic nominee, Drew Edmondson, and his running mate, Anastasia Pittman, in the general election. Pinnell was re-elected alongside Kevin Stitt in the 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, defeating the Democratic challenger Joy Hofmeister and her running mate, Melissa A. McLawhorn Houston. His electoral successes have been attributed to strong support from the Oklahoma Republican Party base and alignment with the policies of the Trump administration.

Personal life

Matt Pinnell is married to Lisa Pinnell, and the couple has four children. They reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and are active members of the BattleCreek Church in Broken Arrow. Pinnell is an avid supporter of Oklahoma State University athletics and the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. He has served on the board of directors for several community organizations, including the Tulsa Regional Chamber and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:Lieutenant Governors of Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma Republicans Category:Oral Roberts University alumni Category:People from Tulsa, Oklahoma