Representative Ajay Pittman

Hi, I’m Ajay Pittman and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 99th District.


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News & Announcements


Apr 6, 2023
Recent Posts

Legislative Black Caucus Set to Host 2023 A.C. Hamlin Gala

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus Chair, Rep. Jason Lowe, D-OKC, is pleased to announce the 2023 A.C. Hamlin Gala, which will be held at 7 p.m. April 18 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Tickets for the event, normally $75, are on sale for $65 until April 8.  The gala, named after political trailblazer and the first Black member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, A.C. Hamlin, will be a celebration of his life and achievements. The event raises funds for academic scholarships for students attending Oklahoma’s only HBCU – Langston University.  "A.C. Hamlin was an exceptional leader who fought for civil rights and economic justice," Lowe said. "The gala is an opportunity to honor his legacy and raise funds for the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering students at Langston University." The A.C. Hamlin Gala will be an evening to remember, as the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus honors outstanding Oklahomans who have made significant contributions to their communities. The Chairman's Award will recognize an individual who has continued the long march of progress toward a better Oklahoma. In addition, the Media Innovator Award will honor innovative media professionals dedicated to keeping Oklahomans informed. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of exceptional Oklahomans and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. The 2023 Chairman's Award winner is Toby Brown, an exceptional Oklahoman who has contributed significantly to the state's progress. Brown has a long history of supporting the community. Brown is also the President of the Toby Brown Realty, a real estate development firm that has played a vital role in the revitalization of Oklahoma City's downtown area. The 2023 Media Innovator Award winners include Carla Hinton, Nehemiah D. Frank, Martha Vaughan, Kevin Perry, Donald R. James II, Clytie Bunyan, and Naomi Keitt. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to journalism and media, helping to shine a light on important issues affecting Oklahomans. Their work spans across print, broadcast, and digital media, and their contributions have had a significant impact on their respective communities. Members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus include:  Rep. Jason Lowe, chair Rep. Monroe Nichols, vice chair Sen. Kevin Matthews Sen. George Young Rep. Regina Goodwin Rep. Ajay Pittman Rep. Mauree Turner Join us for dinner and celebration as we recognize these exceptional individuals. Purchase tickets by calling (405)557-7367 or following this link:  2023 A.C. Hamlin Gala .  -END-



Apr 4, 2023
Recent Posts

Rep. Ajay Pittman’s HB 1845 Passes House, Provides Legal Support for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Victims

OKLAHOMA CITY –HB 1845, authored by Rep. Ajay Pittman, House District 99, D-Oklahoma City allows peace officers to file a petition with the district court the next business day when an after-hours emergency temporary protective order is necessary. A temporary protective order is necessary when the court is not open for business and the victim of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, kidnapping or assault and battery with a deadly weapon needs an emergency protective order. “In Oklahoma almost 50% of women and 40% of men have experienced domestic violence at some time in their lives. This bill will save lives. My goal was to remove any legal barriers so that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can more easily seek protection from their abusers,” Rep. Ajay Pittman said. In 2022, 138 people died in Oklahoma at the hands of domestic violence, according to the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Review Board. A recent study from John Hopkins University provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Health reports that women experience increased levels of risk immediately after leaving an abusive situation. “This bill will allow the peace officer to file that paperwork for the victim,” Rep. Pittman said. “Every second after the assault matters for these victims. Showing up in court the next business day is often traumatic and can cause victims to shy away from protective orders.”  If Rep. Ajay Pittman’s bi-partisan legislation becomes law, the victims of these crimes will not have to appear in court the next business day. Instead, the emergency temporary protective order will be in effect until a judge sets a hearing date. “The bill also allows peace officers to file paperwork for emergency temporary protective orders in court the next business day for the immediate family member of a victim of first-degree murder,” Rep. Pittman concluded. “I am grateful to my senate author, Assistant Majority Whip Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City for his assistance and sensitivity to this issue.” The Bi-partisan bill unanimously passed the House floor 84-0 and is headed to the Senate for consideration. -END-



Mar 23, 2023
Recent Posts

House Recognizes Legacy of Bessie Coleman

The Oklahoma House of Representatives commemorated the life of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot's license in the U.S., as part of AERO Day on Wednesday at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Coleman, born in 1892, briefly attended what is now Langston University before earning her pilot's license in 1921 from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in France. After returning to the United States, she launched her career in exhibition flying and parachuting, one of the only options available at the time due to racial and gender biases. She was later called "the world's greatest woman flier." Coleman passed away in 1926 after her plane unexpectedly went into a dive. Coleman's great niece, Gigi Coleman-Brooms, serves as president and CEO of the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars, which introduces disadvantaged youth to career opportunities in the field of aviation. Coleman-Brooms was honored on the House floor Wednesday afternoon and presented with a state citation from Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, who serves as the chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Transportation. "Though Bessie Coleman's legacy was sadly cut far too short, she has continued to inspire generations of women with her courage, determination and resilience to overcome challenges and push boundaries," Miller said. "It was an honor to host and visit with Gigi Coleman-Brooms and hear about how she is continuing her great-aunt's legacy." Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, who serves as chair of the House Transportation Committee, joined Miller and Coleman-Brooms on the floor for the recognition. “It is truly an honor to join the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission on Aero Day during National Women's History Month along with my colleagues to celebrate the centennial celebration of Oklahoma’s International African American and Native American female pilot Bessie Coleman," Pittman said. "It was a pleasure to meet her great-niece Gigi Coleman-Brooms, who is the CEO of the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars. She does the reenactment to commemorate the accomplishments of her aunt. She is a one woman show who continues to honor the life and legacy of Bessie Coleman, by leading their non-profit organization. We are honored to be able to recognize the accomplishments of both of these dynamic women, their contributions to Oklahoma history and to claim them as Oklahoma Trailblazers. This moment was very special to me as the Vice-Chair of Tourism, a former student of Langston University, and a woman of African American and Native descent, who is making history serving in the House of Representatives." "It was very exciting to get to know Gigi Coleman-Brooms and learn more about her great-aunt's extraordinary life," Johns said. "I hope each person who learns about Bessie Coleman's amazing accomplishments walks away inspired by her persistence and with a renewed appreciation of one of our nation's historic trailblazers."