Russell Griffin
Executive Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party

[Oklahoma City, OK, November 10, 2015] At their November 7th meeting, the Oklahoma Democratic Party Central Committee unanimously confirmed the hiring of Russell Griffin as Executive Director through the 2016 election cycle.

Griffin, a Savanna, Oklahoma native, has served in an interim capacity since mid-September. Prior to his appointment he worked for Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) as the campaign manager for her first re-election bid, as Rep. Esty’s District Director, and as the office’s liaison with the Town of Newtown during the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy. During his time as District Director, Griffin served the constituents of Connecticut’s 5th District and led a team that brought back over $2 million in federal benefits to the district.

With over 15 years of political experience, Griffin has served in a variety of campaign roles across Oklahoma and the country helping to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. Those include Houston (TX) Mayor Annise Parker, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and former Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren. He also played a key role in former Lt. Governor Jari Askin’s 2010 bid for Governor. In 2002, Griffin worked with Oklahoma Democrats as a field representative for Southeastern Oklahoma, building a diverse coalition that helped propel Brad Henry to his upset win over Steve Largent in that year’s gubernatorial race.

“We are pleased to have Russell return to Oklahoma as executive director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,” said Mark Hammons, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. “He is extraordinarily well-qualified and received unanimous support from the Central Committee for his hire. I’ve had the pleasure to work with Russell since mid-September on an interim basis and he has proven his ability and shown strong leadership for all Oklahomans whether Democrats, Republicans, or Independents.”

“I want to thank Chairman Hammons and the central committee for selecting me to serve as Executive Director. I’m excited about the opportunities that await us and I look forward to electing more Democrats in the 2016 elections,” Griffin said. “It not just about elections, though. We must work every day to educate the voters of Oklahoma about the disastrous policies put in place by Governor Fallin, other statewide officials, and the Republican legislature. Their failure to place Oklahomans first has caused our state to fall behind.

“With a massive budget shortfall expected for next year, Republicans have failed to adequately address the major problems facing Oklahoma: teacher shortages, crumbling infrastructure, understaffed prisons, underfunded mental health programs, zero personal income growth and a lack of affordable health care for thousands of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens. As a party, we plan to highlight the failures of Republican leaders in our state and provide a better plan to move Oklahoma forward.”