Chris Powell

Chris Powell
Council Member Bethany City Council, Ward I
2019—2025
Predecessor:	Paul Todd
Chair Oklahoma Libertarian Party
5 March 2023—present
Predecessor:	Will Daugherty
Vice-Chair Oklahoma Libertarian Party
2001—2003
Predecessor:	Aaron Lein
Chair Oklahoma Libertarian Party
2003—2005
Predecessor:	Richard Prawdzienski
Successor:	Steve Galpin
Personal Details
Birth:	1971 Midwest City, OK
Military:	U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with combat service in the First Gulf War
Occupation:	Evidence specialist
Residence:	Bethany, OK
Party:	Libertarian Party
Media
Website:	https://WeDontNeedaLtGov.com
Facebook:	Facebook
Twitter:	Twitter
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Chris Powell of Bethany, ran for State Representative(HD 100) in 2000, getting nearly 15% of the vote. In 2001 he became Vice-Chair of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party. In 2002 he ran for Bethany City Council as the only Libertarian among a loose coalition of four candidates, each challenging one of the incumbents. Powell received 34% of the vote in his race, the highest of the four challengers. The next year he became Chair of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, serving until 2005 when he was succeeded by Steve Galpin. He has had commentary published in the state's largest newspaper and at LewRockwell.com as well writing articles at medium.com.

In 2016 when the Oklahoma Libertarian Party regained ballot access Powell ran for Oklahoma County Clerk, amassing 89,019 votes. His 36% in this race is the highest percentage for any Libertarian candidate in Oklahoma, and his vote total in the county beat Gary Johnson's statewide total by over five thousand votes. In 2018 Powell became the first Libertarian nominee for Governor in Oklahoma after defeating Rex Lawhorn in the first ever Libertarian primary runoff election. He finished with 3.44%, the highest percentage of any LP gubernatorial nominee in 2018.

In a special election to fill the remaining term of a vacated seat, Powell was elected to the Bethany City Council on Nov. 12, 2019, with 63% of the vote over a Democrat and a Republican. On Feb. 9, 2021, Powell was elected to a full four-year term, receiving 76% of the vote.

Organizational Positions

Oklahoma Libertarian Party

• Chair (2023-present)
• Chair (2003—2005)
• Vice-Chair (2001—2003)

Central Oklahoma Libertarian Party

• Treasurer (2017—2018)