Oklahoma State Rep. Collin Walke Announces He Won’t Seek Reelection for H.D. 87, endorses Ellyn Hefner

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City, Thursday (April 14) announced he will not seek re-election for House District 87.

Rep. Walke said, in a statement provided to the The Oklahoma City Sentinel newspaper, he would support special care advocate Ellyn Hefner for election to the post.

“It is with a bittersweet feeling that I announce I will not be seeking re-election,” Walke said.  “Serving as the state representative for House District 87 over the past six years has been a humbling honor for which I am ever thankful. I cannot express enough my gratitude for your trust and confidence to serve as your voice at the State Capitol.”

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In a text provided late Thursday morning, Walker said, “I'm confident Ellyn Hefner will be a stellar advocate for House District 87, and I'm excited for her work in the House!"

Walke was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2016 and has served as vice-chair of the Native American Caucus, Chair of Criminal Justice Policy for the Democratic caucus, and co-host of the bipartisan podcast, “Inside the Capitol.”

Rep. Walke has also served on the following committees: Appropriations and Budget, Insurance, Judiciary-Civil, Judiciary-Criminal, Transportation, Banking, Financial Services, and Pensions, and Administrative Rules.

During his time in the Legislature, Walke championed legislation to increase the minimum wage, improve our criminal justice system, and protect Oklahoman’s privacy online. 

All told, Walke enacted six bills over his three sessions, including Ida’s Law, a law that assists with the crisis of murdered and missing indigenous persons.

“As I’ve assured my colleagues, my absence from my Capitol office will not be an absence from advocacy. Indeed, that is why I am stepping aside. I feel that it is time for me to use my voice in a different way within our community.  I ran for office to help make Oklahoma better for everyone, and I am still committed to the work.”

Note: Pat McGuigan of The Oklahoma City Sentinel adapted this report from a state House press release, adding the news (provided in a separate communication) of Collin Walke’s endorsement of Ellyn Hefner.