26 Facts About Jari Askins

Jari Askins was born on April 27,1953 and is an American judge, lawyer, and Democratic politician from the state of Oklahoma.

Jari Askins was the 15th lieutenant governor of Oklahoma, being the second woman, the first female Democrat, and the most recent Democrat to hold that position.

Jari Askins was defeated in the general election by Republican Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

Jari Askins was born on April 27,1953, in Duncan, Oklahoma.

Jari Askins was raised there and graduated from Duncan High School in 1971.

Jari Askins went on to attend the University of Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1975.

Jari Askins earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1980.

In 1982, Jari Askins was appointed Special District Judge of Stephens County, Oklahoma.

Jari Askins served from 1982 to 1990, winning reelection in 1986.

Under the administration of Governor of Oklahoma David Walters, Jari Askins entered the executive branch of government.

Jari Askins was the Chair of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board from 1991 to 1992, serving as the Board's first female chair.

Jari Askins served as Deputy General Counsel to Governor Walters from 1992 to 1994.

Jari Askins served six terms in office, the maximum combined service allowed in the Oklahoma Legislature as the Representative of the 50th House District, which includes her home town, Duncan.

Jari Askins received the highest share of votes of the four candidates, and advanced to the Democratic primary runoff, competing against Pete Regan.

Jari Askins campaigned in part on her experience in state government, with roles in all three branches of Oklahoma government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Jari Askins eventually defeated Hiett and Million in the general election on November 7,2006, becoming the first Democratic female to be formally elected lieutenant governor in Oklahoma.

Effective January 2,2007, Fallin's resignation allowed then incumbent Governor Brad Henry to appoint Jari Askins to serve the final week of Fallin's term.

Jari Askins announced on January 4,2009, that she would run for governor in 2010 to succeed term-limited Brad Henry.

Jari Askins was the first candidate to declare an intention to run.

Jari Askins only carried four counties, including her home county of Stephens County.

Shortly after her appointment as a special advisor, Jari Askins was next appointed to government service tied to the judicial branch.

Jari Askins was selected in September 2015 by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to lead the Oklahoma Administrative Office of the Courts, succeeding retiring director Michael Evans.

Jari Askins performed the role under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, to oversee Oklahoma's judicial system.

Jari Askins announced her retirement set for June 30,2024.

Jari Askins has been inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2001.

Jari Askins is an active member of the First Christian Church of Duncan, a Christian Church congregation.