For Immediate Release: May 16, 2006


Senator Scott Pruitt addresses members of the Senate who honored him Tuesday for his service.

Senator Pruitt Honored by Fellow Legislators

The Oklahoma State Senate honored Senator Scott Pruitt Tuesday who is completing his second and final term of service in the Senate to the citizens of Senate District 36. Unlike the many other senators who have to leave office this year because of term limits, Pruitt will not seek reelection in order to run for Lieutenant Governor.

"When I ran for Senate in 1998, I ran because I believed in the process. I believe in what we do here,” Pruitt said. “I’ve always tried to approach what we do here in this body with a commitment to sound policy and trying to do things for the right reason. I believe that good politics is doing the right thing…to stand true on policy…that good policy is good politics.”

Born in Danville, Kentucky, Pruitt received a bachelor's degree in political science and communications from Kentucky's Georgetown College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa. A practicing attorney, he is the general managing partner of the Oklahoma Redhawks, a Triple-A professional baseball team.

While in the Senate, Pruitt served as Republican Whip from 2000 to 2002 and as Assistant Republican Floor Leader since 2002. He chaired the American Legislative Exchange Council's Civil Justice Task Force, was selected as part of a delegation to Israel in an exchange program with the American Council of Young Political Leaders and received a Henry Toll Fellowship. He was also named Legislative Advocate
of the Year for 2004 by the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council.

Fellow members thanked Pruitt for his work on behalf of the state, including his efforts to reform the workers' compensation and lawsuit/tort systems as well as the Medicaid, tax, welfare and local public school systems. He was praised for his energy, vitality and drive in his service to the Senate, his district and the entire state.

"Leaving the Senate was a hard decision. The reason I’m leaving this body is I hope to be a part of it in a different way starting next year. To be able to work with each of you to focus again on one thing, focus on passing big ideas that will move the state of Oklahoma forward,” said Pruitt. “I appreciate you and will always cherish my eight years in the Senate.”

For more information, contact:
Senator Pruitt's Office: (405) 521-5602