State Representative District 36 in Oklahoma State House District 36, Oklahoma

2026 Primary Election

• John George — Incumbent State Representative in Oklahoma City, OK

  John George is an incumbent Oklahoma State Representative for District 36, a career Oklahoma City Police Detective, and a veteran of the Oklahoma National Guard. He served as President of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police for 10 years. A conservative, George campaigns on "Oklahoma First, Law & Order, and Real Results," emphasizing lowering costs, cutting taxes, and protecting families from rising insurance and property taxes. He advocates for strong law enforcement, anti-illegal immigration measures, and defending Second Amendment rights. George also opposes "woke" ideologies in education, supporting bans on Critical Race Theory and gender surgeries for minors, and stressing parental control.

• Jenni White — Candidate for State Representative in Luther, OK

  Jenni White, an Oklahoma native, holds both bachelor's and graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Her diverse career spans roles as a managing editor, freelance writer, epidemiologist, and classroom teacher. She has been involved with Restore Oklahoma Public Education and previously served as Mayor of Luther, Oklahoma. White champions the sanctity of life, the Second Amendment, and parental rights in education, advocating for homeschooling freedom. She also seeks to protect landowners from eminent domain, safeguard individual privacy, and limit government bureaucracy, emphasizing ending personal property taxes and corporate welfare. She is running for State Representative for District 36.

• Joe Sarge Nelson — Retired general contractor in Oklahoma City, OK

  Joe Sarge Nelson is a Republican candidate running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives to represent District 36. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served as an underwater demolitions expert in a forerunner of the U.S. Navy SEALs. Nelson graduated from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and worked as a general contractor until his retirement in 1998. He is a supporter of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and has organized community events in Oklahoma City, such as the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner. Nelson previously ran for Mayor of Oklahoma City in 2014. He is on the ballot for the Republican primary on June 16, 2026.

• Leslie Hellebuyck — Candidate for State Representative in Newalla, OK

  Leslie Hellebuyck, a resident of Newalla in House District 36, is running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She gained direct insight into state government workings after taking a session-only position at the Oklahoma House of Representatives for two years upon moving to Oklahoma for retirement in 2022. This experience inspired her candidacy, driven by a belief that ordinary people with extraordinary ideas are needed to address Oklahomans' needs. Hellebuyck, who previously built a career in global automotive manufacturing, advocates for promoting healthy communities through expanded cycling infrastructure and programs supporting active families. She first attended East Central University and the University of Oklahoma.