Kelly Hines takes Senate oath of office

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Edmond, was sworn into the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday. Hines took his oath of office in the Senate chamber in a ceremony led by Sen. Brent Howard, the chamber’s chief presiding officer. Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice M. John Kane IV administered the oath of office as Hines’ family and friends watched.

Hines was one of 14 new senators sworn in on Wednesday. Altogether, 26 senators, including those returning for new terms, took the oath of office. 

“After devoting most of my adult life to protecting this great nation and its freedoms, I’m honored and humbled to represent the residents of Senate District 47,” Hines said. “I’m grateful to the voters who put their trust in me, and I look forward to working on behalf of all my constituents to move this great state forward.”

Hines was raised in the small town of Whitesboro, Oklahoma. In 1985, he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard, which began his more than 34 years of military service. He graduated from East Central University in Ada Oklahoma and was commissioned as an active-duty 2^nd Lieutenant in Army Aviation in 1992.  Hines retired as a Colonel in 2019.  He has commanded thousands of soldiers and hundreds of aircraft executing conventional and special operations missions around the globe. 

A decorated combat veteran, Hines’ awards include the Air Medal for Valor, two Bronze Stars and two Legions of Merit.  He has logged nearly 3000 helicopter flight hours (over 500 in combat) and has served in multiple units to include the 101^st Airborne Division, 10^th Mountain Division, 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and the 25^th Infantry Division.  He now serves as the vice president of domestic operations for Aviation Training Consulting (ATC) in Edmond. Hines holds a bachelor’s degree in history from East Central University, a master’s degree in ancient history from American Public University, and a master’s in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. Hines has been married to his wife, Shannon, for 32 years, and they have two adult children, Alex and Riley.

Hines and other new senators will officially take office Nov. 20.

The 60th session of the Oklahoma Legislature begins on Jan. 7, when both chambers will hold an organizational day to elect leaders and adopt legislative rules. The full, four-month legislative session will start Feb. 3.

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