David Curtis (Oklahoma politician)

David Curtis (Oklahoma politician)
Name	David Curtis
Office	Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
State	Oklahoma
District	38th
Term start	2014
Term end	2022
Predecessor	Steve Martin
Successor	Kendra Moore
Birth date	1947
Birth place	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Party	Republican Party
Spouse	Connie Curtis
Alma mater	University of Oklahoma
Profession	Engineer, Politician

David Curtis (Oklahoma politician) is an American Republican politician and former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives who represented the 38th district from 2014 to 2022. Curtis, an engineer and small business owner from Tulsa, Oklahoma, served on committees addressing infrastructure, veterans' affairs, and commerce while aligning with conservative lawmakers on fiscal and social issues. His tenure intersected with statewide debates led by figures such as Governor Mary Fallin, Governor Kevin Stitt, and legislative leaders including Charles McCall.

Early life and education

Curtis was born in 1947 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in a family connected to the Oil industry in Oklahoma and regional commerce tied to the Arkansas River (United States). He attended public schools in Tulsa before earning a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Oklahoma, where he participated in programs linked to the Oklahoma School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and student organizations that engaged with the Oklahoma State Department of Education through outreach initiatives.

Career before politics

After graduation Curtis worked as an electrical engineer with firms involved in the Petroleum industry and infrastructure projects connected to the American Water Works Association standards and regional utilities regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He later founded and managed a small engineering and contracting business that contracted with municipal clients in the Tulsa metropolitan area and collaborated with associations such as the Oklahoma Contractors Association and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. His business experience brought him into contact with local officials in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and state-level policymakers in the Oklahoma Legislature.

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Curtis was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for District 38 in 2014, succeeding Republican Representative Steve Martin (Oklahoma politician). During his legislative service he served on committees including the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the House Committee on Utilities, and the House Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, working alongside legislators such as Mike Ritze, John Bennett (Oklahoma politician), and Wesley W. Marshall. He participated in caucuses and task forces that coordinated with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and he engaged with stakeholder groups including the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the National Rifle Association of America, and veterans' organizations like the American Legion.

Political positions and legislative initiatives

Curtis advocated for conservative fiscal policy aligned with the Republican Party (United States), supporting tax policy measures debated alongside proposals by Governor Mary Fallin and budget plans negotiated with leaders such as Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. He sponsored and co-sponsored legislation addressing infrastructure funding tied to the Turnpike Authority of Oklahoma and regulatory reform affecting utilities under jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. On public safety and veterans' issues he backed initiatives coordinated with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and legislative proposals influenced by organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Curtis supported measures concerning Second Amendment rights promoted by advocates including the National Rifle Association of America and opposed regulatory expansions advanced by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union in state-level litigation. He engaged in debates over education policy that intersected with proposals from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Electoral history

Curtis won the 2014 Republican primary and general election to succeed Steve Martin (Oklahoma politician), and he was re-elected in subsequent cycles including 2016 and 2018, campaigning in a district that includes portions of Tulsa County, Oklahoma and communities such as Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Jenks, Oklahoma. His 2020 and 2022 campaigns involved contests against challengers supported by state party apparatuses and local political action committees active in Oklahoma politics, with endorsements from business groups including the Tulsa Regional Chamber and veterans' organizations. He was term-limited in 2022 and succeeded by Republican Representative Kendra Moore.

Personal life and community involvement

Curtis is married to Connie Curtis and they have three children; the family is active in faith-based and civic organizations including the Bishop Kelley High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) alumni networks and local Rotary International chapters in Tulsa. He has served on boards and advisory councils for institutions such as the Tulsa Community Foundation, local chapters of the American Legion, and regional business associations including the Oklahoma Bankers Association-affiliated committees. Curtis has participated in community events coordinated with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and philanthropic efforts connected to the Saint Francis Health System (Oklahoma).

Category:Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Category:Oklahoma Republicans Category:People from Tulsa, Oklahoma Category:University of Oklahoma alumni