TAHLEQUAH — Citing his proven record of getting things done and overwhelming support from his district, Rep. Mike Brown today announced that he plans to seek re-election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives and keep working to improve the quality of life in District 4.

“Our district needs strong and experienced leadership at the State Capitol now more than ever,” said Brown. “We’re facing some tough times in Oklahoma, and District 4 needs someone with a proven record of fighting for our jobs, funding for education and affordable healthcare for our families.”

Brown, who was first elected to the State House in 2004, has been humbled to be the voice for his district at the Capitol. He believes his experience as a small business owner helped him to quickly learn to navigate the legislative process and become an effective legislator.

“When I first received the opportunity to serve as your state representative, my goal was to continue the tradition of a well-represented District 4,”  Brown said.  “I have kept that as my top priority every year since, and when re-elected, I will continue to focus on service first.”

During his freshman year, Brown’s appointment as vice chairman of the Tourism and Recreation Committee gave him the opportunity to help solve many of the problems state parks and lodges were facing. In his second term, Brown was appointed to serve as an assistant floor leader, as well as vice chairman of the Government Modernization and Agency Oversight Committee.

For the last two sessions, Brown has been serving as Democratic floor leader – the second-ranking position in the Democratic caucus.

“Being in leadership has helped me be a more effective legislator and statesman for District 4,” he said. “I have been able to share the priorities of our district with my colleagues, and push to pass legislation on the issues my district cares about.”

When first elected, Brown made a commitment to his district to fight to improve education, to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, to bring tax relief to disabled veterans and to secure the fire protection that the district deserves.

During his time in the legislature, Brown helped secure nearly $23 million to renovate several buildings at Northeastern State University and repair classrooms. He helped push for better pay for school teachers, including securing a much-needed $3,000 across-the-board raise. He has since fought against efforts at the Capitol to undo many of these reforms.

“I certainly didn’t sign up to undo 30 years of improvement to public education in Oklahoma,” said Brown.

Brown has also fought to increase affordable insurance options to Oklahomans by expanding the Insure Oklahoma program, helping small businesses provide health insurance to their employees. He continues to lead the fight against insurance companies discriminating against people with certain conditions, especially children with autism.

When House leadership wanted to ignore the lack of rural fire protection during a time of drought and massive wildfires, Brown joined with his colleagues in pressing the issue and making their voices heard. Because of this bulldog attitude, the operational funding for many firehouses doubled, allowing them to keep their doors open and invest in much-needed equipment. Today, many rural fire fighters have newer and safer equipment as a result of this, along with an additional $5,000 death benefit authored by Brown.

Brown continues to work toward making Oklahoma a national leader in providing energy solutions for the country. “We can maximize our current use of oil and gas while encouraging new forms of energy. By utilizing these next-generation energy sources, we will be able to bring down the cost of energy,” said Brown.

Brown believes Oklahoma’s abundant natural resources make it a fertile environment for many sources of alternative energy, including wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy, bio-fuels and energy derived from biomass. Brown has advocated compressed natural gas usage, saying, CNG is a win-win situation for Oklahoma.

“Consumers can buy lower-cost vehicle fuel, while Oklahoma’s gross production revenue would grow,” he said.

Currently, Brown also serves on three House committees – Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight, the appropriations subcommittee for General Government and Transportation and the Higher Education and Career Tech Committee.

Brown’s reputation among his colleagues – as well as with his constituents back home – has been that of a bulldog, fighting tenaciously for the people of Oklahoma while earning respect and admiration from both sides of the aisle. Mike was voted one of the top 10 legislators of the year in 2009.

“It’s clear to me that we cannot let Washington-style politics enter into our State Legislature,” said Brown. “Hot-button topics and special-interest politics just don’t get the job done here in Oklahoma. We must stop their money and influence at the state line. Too many times policies affecting lives are being funded by special interests, and I am proud that I’ve fought to root out the corruption in government whenever and wherever it’s found.”

Before being elected to office, Brown was a successful small business owner for 30 years. Brown and his wife, Tammy have been married for 37 years, and are active in Cornerstone Fellowship Church. Mike and Tammy have two children: a daughter, Brandi Adair, who teaches at Sequoyah High School, and Dustin Brown, DVM, who owns and operates Animal Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Mike and Tammy enjoy time with their seven grandchildren.

Supporters interested in helping during the campaign can contact Brown at (918) 931-2814 or (918) 456-1959, or mail requests to P.O. Box 1460, Tahlequah, Okla., 74465.

“I appreciate your support and sincerely ask for your vote in November,” Brown said.