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Neil Hays is an American politician who has served as the Oklahoma House of Representatives member from the 13th district since November 16, 2022.

Early life and education

Neil Hays was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma where his father worked as a high school coach and principal.[2] He attended college on a basketball scholarship.[2] He has an MBA from Northeastern Oklahoma State University.[3]

Career

Before running for office, Hays worked as a high school coach and businessman.[2] He taught mathematics and history at Hilldale High School.[3] He later left teaching to open a Farmers Insurance agency in Okmulgee. His agency was rated in the top five in the state by Farmers Insurance in 2021.[3]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Hays launched his campaign for the Oklahoma House of Representatives's 13th district in early April 2022.[2] He was one of four Republican candidates[a] vying to succeed incumbent Avery Frix, who had retired to run for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in 2022. He campaigned on "conservative values" and criticizing Joe Biden's policies. He was endorsed by the State Chamber Political Action Committee.[3] He advanced to a runoff with Carlisa Rogers.[4] During the runoff, Hays expressed willingness to support some school voucher bills.[5] He won the Republican primary and faced the Democratic Party's nominee Jimmy Haley in the November election.[6] He defeated Haley with 63% of the vote.[7] During his campaign, about 16% of Hays' donations came from state legislators.[8] He was sworn in November 16, 2022.[9]

He was one of twenty early Oklahoma lawmakers who endorsed Ron DeSantis for the 2024 presidential election.[10]

Personal life

Hays is married to his wife Nicole and has six children.[11][12] He is a member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).[2]

Notes

  1. ^ alongside Brian Jackson, Carlisa Rogers and Steve White[3]

References

  1. ^ Hancock, Andrea (20 August 2022). "After tying in primary, Neil Hayes and Carisa Rogers head to an HD 13 runoff". NonDoc. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hays, Neil (5 April 2022). "Hays declares for State House 13 seat". Muskogee Phoenix. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Hancock, Andrea (23 June 2022). "Curriculum under scrutiny in House District 13 primary". NonDoc. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Hays and Rogers are in House District 13 runoff". Muskogee Phoenix. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  5. ^ Carter, Roy (24 August 2022). "SCHOOL-CHOICE SUPPORTERS PREVAIL IN RUNOFF". OCPA. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Hays wins House District 13 GOP race". Muskogee Phoenix. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Hays wins District 13 seat". Muskogee Phoenix. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  8. ^ Ross, Keaton (7 November 2022). "Oklahoma Lawmakers Use Campaign Reserves to Boost Candidates in Tight Races". Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  9. ^ "House Members Take Oaths of Office". Oklahoma Farm Report. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  10. ^ Ogles, Jacob (2023-06-07). "20 Oklahoma lawmakers endorse Ron DeSantis". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  11. ^ "REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS DISTRICT 13 - REPUBLICAN". okhouse.gov. Oklahoma House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  12. ^ "REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS DISTRICT 13 - REPUBLICAN". okhouse.gov. Oklahoma House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Hays