Justin Wood (politician)
Justin Wood | |
|---|---|
Wood in 2024 | |
| Principal Chief of Sac and Fox Nation | |
| In office June 27, 2019 – 2022 | |
| Deputy | Don Abney |
| Preceded by | Kay Rhoads |
| Succeeded by | Don Abney |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
| In office November 2012 – November 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Kris Steele |
| Succeeded by | Dell Kerbs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 23, 1989 Shawnee, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American Sac and Fox |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Central Oklahoma |
Justin Freeland Wood (born December 23, 1989) is an American politician who most recently served as the Principal Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. A member of the Republican Party, Wood previously represented the 26th District in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016, when he did not seek reelection.
Early life and family
Wood was born on December 23, 1989, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Freeland and Shirley Wood.[1] He graduated from Shawnee High School in 2008.
Wood and his wife have four children and two attend North Rock Creek Public School. He lives in Shawnee and attends Heritage Church.[1]
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Wood was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2012.[2] During his time in office he served as the Vice Chairman of the Higher Education and Career Technology Committee from 2012 to 2016, and as Assistant Majority Whip from 2014 to 2016.
Lobbying
Woods did not seek reelection in 2016. After leaving office he served as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma Area Director for Tulsa.[3] During the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary Wood was a member of Ted Cruz’s Oklahoma leadership team.[4]
In 2017 Wood left Big Brothers Big Sisters to serve as the State Director of Governmental Relations for the American Cancer Society.[5]
Sac and Fox Nation
On June 1, 2019, Wood won the primary election for Principal Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation outright. He was sworn in on June 27, 2019.[6] He served until his resignation in 2022.
In 2019, he was elected as Chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.[7]
2026 State Senate Campaign
On June 26, 2025 Wood announced his candidacy for the Oklahoma Senate District 17 seat currently held by Shane Jett who will reach his term limit following the 2026 legislative session.[8]
Electoral History
2012 Oklahoma House of Representatives
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Shaw | 808 | 43.19 | |
| Republican | Justin Freeland Wood | 1,063 | 56.81 | |
| Total votes | 1,871 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Freeland Wood | 7,457 | 60.58 | ||
| Democratic | Patty Sue Wagstaff | 4,852 | 39.42 | ||
| Total votes | 12,309 | 100.0 | |||
2014 Oklahoma House of Representatives
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Freeland Wood | 5,595 | 72.30 | +11.72 | |
| Democratic | Pamela Snider Stephens | 2,144 | 27.7 | −11.72 | |
| Total votes | 7,739 | 100.0 | |||
References
- ^ a b "Wood announces candidacy for Principal Chief". Shawnee News-Star.
- ^ a b "Oklahoma Election Results - November 6, 2012". results.okelections.us. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Denwalt, Dale (August 20, 2017). "Lawmaker to lobbyist". The Daily Oklahoman. pp. 2A. Retrieved June 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cruz Campaign Press Release - Cruz for President Announces Oklahoma Leadership Team". August 15, 2015.
- ^ "Justin Wood with the American Cancer Society talks about the impending cigarette tax in Oklahoma". News 6. September 23, 2017.
- ^ Brown, Mike (August 2019). "Capacity Crowd Attends Installation of Principal Chief Justin F. Woods" (PDF). Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkî. pp. Page 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ "Principal Chief Justin F. Wood Elected as Chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas". September 13, 2019.
- ^ "Justin Wood Announces Candidacy for Oklahoma Senate". Countywide News & Sun. June 26, 2025.