I have bad news if you were looking for a fresh new corrupt face to appear at ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies, and legislative investigation hearings.
T.W. Shannon – the former Oklahoma Speaker of the House turned sad, driveling right-wing social media political influencer – announced he needs a job and, as a result, is going to run for Lt. Governor, giving Oklahoma’s Republicans (hopefully) one last opportunity to reject him on a statewide ballot.
I don’t know about you, but that’s cringey stuff.
Just 15 years ago, when he was Speaker of the House, there were some local kingmakers who thought T.W. had the chops, charisma, and mixed-race cultural background to become a star on the national stage, and possibly make a run for president someday.
Sadly, since then, his only notable claim to fame is getting Markwayne Mullin to stand on a box!
In case you forgot, T.W. was suplexed by Marcuswayne at the ballot box in 2022, losing by an impressively awful 66% to 34% margin. Eight years prior, he lost to James Lankford by an equally unimpressive margin.
His results in those elections make me wonder…
Outside of losing elections, what has T.W. Shannon actually done that’s been good for Oklahomans? <insert ad>
Think about it. His time spent as House Speaker was an abject disaster, as the irresponsible tax cuts he championed helped set the stage for the teachers’ strike and the budget crises of 2015 and 2016.
He also hasn’t fared much better in the business community.
When T.W. was running for Senate and marching around cable news networks stumping for Trump on the profitable rally circuit, he often touted himself as the CEO of Chickasaw Bank.
In fact, it’s the lead item on his congressional biography:
Yep, T.W. claims he used his “financial and legal knowledge” to help “lead a remarkably successful enterprise” at Chickasaw State Bank, where he says he helped grow the bank to over $215 million in assets.
Outposts we’ve received from the Ogle Mole Network, however, paint a much different picture of T.W.’s tenure…
Yikes! I can’t vouch for everything in that email, but based on everything we know about right-wing Oklahoma political grifters, it all seems pretty credible to me.
Well, at least more credible than what T.W. wrote for that congressional bio!
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how T.W. does on the campaign trail, and — if he wins office — how many ethics complaints, legislative messes, and OSBI investigations he triggers in the process.
With the way this guy acts on social media like Ryan Walters, shoots videos like Ryan Walters, and — if you believe the Mole — abuses his office, privileges, and power like Ryan Walters, he’ll probably be super fun to cover.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
