Coffee Names Randy Swanson to Senate GOP Communications Post

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, announced Friday that Randy Swanson of Yukon will join Coffee’s Senate leadership staff as Majority Leadership Communications Director.

Swanson brings more than 25 years of experience in public relations, politics and government service to the State Senate. He will direct media, press, and public outreach activities for Coffee and the Senate’s Republican leadership team. For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate.

“Randy has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector, so we’re very excited about bringing his many talents to the State Senate,” stated Coffee. “Randy Swanson will do a great job helping Senate Republicans get out our message of fiscal responsibility, traditional values, creating jobs, and reforming state government,” he said.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to join the President Pro Tem’s leadership staff at this historic time,” said Swanson. “Senator Coffee is a remarkable and distinguished leader. I appreciate the confidence he has in me, and I look forward to helping the members of the Senate’s new majority tell our story in the upcoming legislative session.”

During the 2008 election cycle, Swanson served as executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Senatorial Committee. Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

Swanson, 50, is a former chief of staff and press secretary to U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and a former administrative aide and campaign manager to former Corporation Commissioner J.C. Watts. He also is a former regional political director for the Republican National Committee.

In addition to political and government experience, he has consulted various local, national, and international ministries and non-profit organizations on media and public relations. Swanson's volunteer activities include work as Public Relations Chairman for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and as a publicist for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity.

Randy Swanson has been married to his wife Carol for 28 years. Carol Swanson is teacher in the Yukon Public Schools system. The Swansons have three sons: David, 20, is a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Joel, 16, and Luke, 13, are students in Yukon Public Schools.

The Swansons are active members of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Swanson is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in communications and business.

He starts his new job at the State Senate on December 1.