Ernest Istook



Ernest James Istook Jr. was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Oklahoma's 5th district (map) from 1993 to 2007. He declined to run for reelection in 2006, choosing instead to pursue the governorship of Oklahoma. 

Bio
Istook was born February 11, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University (in Waco, Texas) in 1971 and received a law degree from Oklahoma City University in 1976.

Istook has worked as a journalist, served as director of the Oklahoma State Alcoholic and Beverage Control Board (1977-78), was legal counsel to Oklahoma Gov. David L. Boren (1978), and was a member of the board of the Oklahoma County metropolitan library system (1982-1986), chairman of the Warr Acres city council(1982-1986), director of the Warr Acres chamber of commerce, and was an Oklahoma state representative from 1987-1993. He was elected to the U.S. House of representatives in 1992.

Istook is a conservative member of the GOP. His campaigns have all been pro-life (anti-abortion), in favor of tax cuts, and a have had a general platform of "less government and lower taxes"

Iraq War
Istook voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

2006 elections
In 2005, Istook announced that he would be running for the governership of Oklahoma. Democrats nominated Paul David Hunter and Republicans nominated Mary Fallin to contest the November 2006 election for his House seat. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Committeess in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Interior and Environment and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Okie Funk

Contact
DC Office: 2404 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2132 Fax: 202-226-1463 Web Email Website

District Office- Oklahoma City: 120 North Robinson, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone: 405-234-9900 Fax: 405-234-9909

District Office- Seminole: 211 East Broadway Seminole, OK 74868 Phone: 405-303-2868 Fax: 405-303-2847

District Office- Shawnee: 23 East Ninth Street, Suite 301 Shawnee, OK 74801 Phone: 405-273-6202 Fax: 405-273-2574