Lt. Gov. Jari Askins

Lt. Gov. Aksins was born and raised in Duncan, Oklahoma, Jari Askins was sworn in as Oklahoma’s 15th Lieutenant Governor in 2007, giving her the rare distinction of being involved in public service in all three branches of state government.

After graduating from Duncan High School, Askins received her BA in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and earned a Juris Doctorate from the OU College of Law.  Askins served as Special District Judge for the District Court of Stephens County for eight years, from 1982-1990.  In 1991, the Governor appointed her to the Pardon and Parole Board, which elected her as its first woman Chairman.  She later served as Executive Director of the Pardon and Parole Board and as Deputy General Counsel to the Governor.  These experiences helped develop criminal and juvenile justice issues as her special expertise.

As Lieutenant Governor, Askins is President of the State Senate.  She also serves on numerous boards and commissions and chairs the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission and the Oklahoma Film and Music Advisory Commission. The Lieutenant Governor is an advocate for children and for greater efficiency in government. Governor Brad Henry has appointed her “Oklahoma’s Small Business Advocate,” tasked with providing assistance to small business owners throughout the state.   She also participates in and promotes various economic development projects and supports legislation and innovative means of providing greater hope and opportunity for Oklahoma’s citizens.