Chuck Hoskin Sr. is a Cherokee and American politician and former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 6th district, which includes parts of Craig, Mayes, and Rogers counties.[1] He served as a whip for the Democratic caucus. After leaving the House he served for four years as the Mayor of Vinita, Oklahoma.[2] He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and he served from 1995 to 2007 as a member of the Tribal Council, and in 2011 became Chief of Staff for the Principal Chief, Baker.[3] In 2019 his son, Chuck Hoskin Jr., was elected Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation.[4]

Chuck Hoskin
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 6th district
In office
2006–2018
Preceded byJoe Eddins
Succeeded byRusty Cornwell
Personal details
Born (1952-01-29) January 29, 1952 (age 72)
Claremore, Oklahoma, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Cherokee Nation
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseStephanie
Children
EducationNortheastern Oklahoma A&M College (AA)
Northeastern State University (BA, MEd)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy

Early life

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Hoskin was born on January 29, 1952, in Claremore, Oklahoma.[5]

After graduating from Vinita High School in 1970, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed aboard USS Independence until his honorable discharge. After the Navy, he received his AA degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and his BA and M.Ed from Northeastern State University.[5] Before being elected to office, he served as an administrator for Locust Grove Public Schools in Locust Grove, Oklahoma.

Personal life

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He is married to Stephanie, a former student and basketball player he coached her senior year after graduation and has three children: Amy, Charles Jr., and Amelia.[6]

Political career

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Hoskin was elected to the House in 2006, defeating Republican Wayland Smalley in the 2006 election, after the incumbent, Joe Eddins, retired.[7]

Hoskin served on the Appropriations & Budget, Public Safety, Veterans & Military Affairs committees, as well as the Redistricting Eastern Oklahoma Subcommittee and the Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget.

Hoskin was elected as Mayor of Vinita, Oklahoma in 2019. He replaced former Mayor Ronnie Starks. In 2023 he lost his bid for reelection to challenger Josh Lee.

Election results

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2014 Oklahoma State House District 6 election[8]
Democratic Chuck Hoskin 5,409 59.7%
Republican Marshall Scott McGuire 3,647 40.3%
Turnout 9,056
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
2006 Oklahoma State House District 6 election[9]
Democratic Chuck Hoskin 6,334 60.96%
Republican Wayland Smalley 4,057 39.04%
Turnout 10,391
Party Candidate Votes % ±%

Cherokee Nation service

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A citizen of the Cherokee Nation,[citation needed] Hoskin served for 12 years on the Tribal Council, from 1995 to 2007. Hoskin also served as Chief of Staff to Principal Chief Bill John Baker.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Oklahoma House of Representatives - Member's Page". Oklahoma House of Representatives. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  2. ^ "Vinita will soon have a new mayor". FourStatesHomepage. February 23, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "Father, son receive awards from labor council". Tahlequah Daily Press. March 15, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  4. ^ https://oklahoman.com/article/5632958/chuck-hoskin-jr-elected-cherokee-nations-principal-chief
  5. ^ a b Chuck Hoskin's Political Summary, Project Vote Smart (accessed February 28, 2014)
  6. ^ "Chuck Hoskin Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  7. ^ Snell, Travis (6 December 2006). "Cherokees win state representative seats". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. ^ "SUMMARY RESULTS: General Election — November 4, 2014". Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  9. ^ "SUMMARY RESULTS: General Election — November 7, 2006". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved May 25, 2011.