State House District 63 candidates

Shykira Smith, Democrat, House District 63

1. What should the priorities be when the Legislature opens its session in February 2025? Why?

February 2025 priorities of the Legislature should address all the House bills concerning education, tax relief, states rights, Public Safety and the FY2025 budget. Constituents demand accountability, representation and transparency! We want to ensure that we’re investing in our educators and the support staff. We want to ensure that tax relief, and/or tax reductions, do not only benefit big corporations, and address reduction of taxes on middle class families and small businesses. We want to ensure that states rights and power women to control what happens with their bodies, and not the government. We want to ensure that we address responsible gun laws in Oklahoma. And we want to ensure that the FY 2025 budget transparency and platform is accessible to all citizens of Oklahoma.

2. What are the biggest issues facing your district?

The biggest issue facing House District 63 is timely, equal and proportionate access to resources. This includes education, healthcare, economic progression and infrastructure. In rural areas, timeliness of access to resources is monumental and necessary. There are rural communities still waiting on funding for exposed waterlines, who don’t have access to mental health care, and who are needing assistance with a homeless crisis in Southwest Oklahoma. Our congressional district leadership has been majority conservative for over a decade, and it is now time for change if they are failing to act!

Biography

Shykira Smith made her home in Lawton/Fort Sill in 2005. She is a successful small business owner and Army veteran. Smith is an active volunteer, sponsor and board member with numerous organizations, to include: Lawton/Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Armed Services YMCA, AMBUCS, Rotary Club, Comanche County Public Schools and Lawton Business Women. She is especially proud of her work to increase progress for women in education and business.

During her 12 years in the U.S. Army, Smith participated in several field exercises and deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. She and her husband Mark served a combined total of more than 38 years in the U.S. Army. She currently serves as the Comanche County Democratic Party chair, Congressional District 4 Democratic Veterans Federation Representative, and was voted the Oklahoma Democratic Veterans Federation Veteran of Oklahoma for FY 2023 and 2024.

Trey Caldwell, Republican, House District 63

Caldwell did not respond to the survey.