PERSONAL:
A native of western Oklahoma, Representative Mike Sanders has dedicated his career to public service. He began working on campaigns at the age of 9 and after making a strong impression on the George W. Bush Campaign, he earned a position at the White House. As Director of Interns, Mike managed over 1,000 interns and put policies and procedures in place that returned the program to a position of prominence.
Mike continued his public service as Deputy Chief of Staff for Rural Development as well as the Senior Advisor to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mike had the honor of serving on the Council for Small Business for Governor Frank Keating and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin from 1999-2003. Additionally, for Mikes dedicated service to the White House and Nation on September 11, 2001, he was awarded the Distinguished Honor Service Award by the President of the United States, George W. Bush.
Mike was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2008 garnering 79% of the vote. He went unopposed in 2010 and 2014. In 2012, set an Oklahoma election record gaining 95% of the vote.
In his years in the Legislature, Mike has served as the vice chair of the Human Services Committee, focusing on reforming the Department of Human Services. For his distinguished service on behalf of children and families in Oklahoma, he was honored with the 2013 Outstanding Elected Official Award by the State Interagency Child Abuse Prevention Task Force. He has also served in House leadership under various speakerships and after Sanders was re-elected in 2012, he was elected by his peers of the House Republican Caucus to remain in Leadership as one of the Assistant Majority Whips, a position he has held since his election in 2008. During the fifty-fourth Oklahoma State Legislature, Sanders continues to be a strong voice for Western Oklahomans. He currently has the honor of serving as the Chairman for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation along with serving on the Agriculture and Rural Development, Energy & Natural Resources and Appropriations & Budget Committees.
In addition to being an active member of the Kingfisher County Farm Bureau, Mikes community involvement includes the Knights of Columbus #3113, Kingfisher Elks Lodge, Kingfisher Rotary Club and the National Rifle Association. He is also a lifetime member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and has served in many leadership positions with the Kingfisher County Republican Party, serving as Chairman from 1999-2001.
Mike graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1993 and from Oklahoma Christian University in 1997 with a degree in History and Pre-Law. While in Washington, D.C., Mike attended Georgetown University to work on his Masters in Government. He currently works for his familys business, Sanders Funeral Service. Mike is married to Nellie Tayloe Sanders, and they live in Kingfisher with their sons, Davis Lee Sanders and Walker Tayloe Sanders.
EDUCATION:
B.S., History/Pre-Law, Oklahoma Christian University, 1997
PROFESSION:
Businessman
POSITIONS:
Chairman, Kingfisher County Republican Party, 1999-2001
Council for Small Business, Governor Frank Keating and Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, 1999-2003
ORGANIZATIONS:
Kingfisher County Republican Party
Kingfisher County Farm Bureau
American Legislative Exchange Council
American Council of Young Political Leaders
The Energy Council
LEGISLATIVE SERVICE:
House of Representatives, 52nd Legislature to present