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Brad HenryAmerican politician, current governor of Oklahoma
Date of Birth: 10.07.1963
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Brad Henry
Brad Henry, born Charles Bradford Henry in 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is an American politician and the current governor of the state of Oklahoma. His father, Charles Henry, was a local judge and representative. After graduating from Shawnee High School, Brad attended the University of Oklahoma on a Presidential Leadership Scholar scholarship. In 1985, he earned his bachelor's degree. During his time at the university, Brad was a member of the secret student fraternity 'Delta Tau Delta', and he graduated in 1988.
Early Career and Political Rise
After returning to his hometown, Brad Henry secured an administrative position. In 1992, he ran for the position of state senator from Oklahoma. In the gubernatorial elections of 2002, Brad, representing the Democratic Party, received 43.3% of the votes, narrowly defeating his main opponent, Steven Largent, a coach and NFL Hall of Fame member, who received 42.6% of the votes. Another candidate, independent Gary Richardson, garnered only 14% of the votes. Brad's successful campaign strategy included engaging with voters by frequently stopping near supermarkets and other crowded places to answer their questions.
Governorship and Achievements
On January 13, 2003, Brad Henry was officially inaugurated as the governor of Oklahoma. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the prosperity of his state. He successfully reduced taxes and healthcare costs. Brad gained recognition as a pro-choice advocate, believing that the decision to have a child should be left to the woman herself, not the state. Although he supported the death penalty, he was a staunch opponent of gun ownership. Brad Henry sanctioned and implemented the 'War on Drugs' campaign, which significantly reduced drug consumption among the population.
In the 2006 elections, Brad Henry secured his second term as governor with 66.5% of the votes, defeating the Republican candidate Ernest Istook. Brad Henry is married to Kimberly Ann Henry.
