By Joey McWilliams
BRYAN COUNTY – Another local resident has announced his intention to run for a seat in Oklahoma’s state government.
Steve Taylor, an attorney and longtime member of the Bryan County community, on Wednesday released a statement to declare his candidacy for Oklahoma State House District 21. He is a registered Republican.
“I thank State Representative Dustin Roberts, who is not running again, for his years of serving honorably,” Taylor said in the release. “I intend to continue his example as a strong advocate for the priorities that are important to continue moving our region and state towards a strong future.”
Taylor said when he found out Roberts would not be in this year’s race, he was encouraged by his wife and others with whom he is close to look into possibly running.
“After thoughtful prayer and consideration and seeking the advice of people whose opinion I hold in great respect, I got nothing but encouragement to run for the position.”
Taylor had been active in the community since he and his family moved to Durant in 2007. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of J127 Ministry, which assists young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. He is also Vice Chairman of the Board of the Pregnancy Center of Bryan County, is former President of the Durant Noon Lions Club, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Durant ‘OK Kids’ Baseball League, where he was Commissioner for three seasons.
His professional career, in addition to serving as an attorney, included working for four years as the Assistant Director of the Medical Alumni Annual Fund for Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in NYC, and working for the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation.
He is the husband of Dr. Christine Taylor, an OB-GYN serving the region. The couple has four children, one in college at the US Military Academy at West Point, two at Durant High School, and one attending Durant Middle School. They attend Community Christian Church in Durant.
“My wife and I chose to live in Durant, to educate our children here, and to work in, and for, our local community,” Taylor said in the release. “I am proud of our community and care deeply for our neighbors.
The dysfunction currently at the state Capitol is not serving to strengthen Oklahoma, to better health care and education outcomes, nor does it assist with needed longterm planning to meet the demands of our growing cities and population. I am running to provide a real-world, mature perspective gained from 20+ years of working with businesses, families, and on projects to serve our neighbors.”
Taylor graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1991 with a BA in History, and then earned his law degree from Washington University School of Law. He was awarded Order of the Coif, graduating in the top 10 percent of his law school class. He is an attorney with a law office in Durant. His wife, Dr. Christine Taylor, graduated from Oklahoma State University and earned her MD from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons.
“I have experience in the legal field. I have mediated for five years for early settlement mediation,” Taylor said. “What I consider as my strength is the ability to assess all sides of an issue and work with people to come up with a solution that will benefit everybody, that will address the need that has been presented.
“What I don’t like is all the rancor and that negative approach in the issues we have to deal with. I hope to bring a mature wisdom and to represent our district well.”
The Republican primary is June 26, and the general election takes place on Nov. 6, 2018.
