For Immediate Release

August 21, 2019

Media Contact:

Angela Allmond, Communications Director

Oklahoma Democratic Party

405-536-2412

The Oklahoma Democratic Party Elects New National Committeewoman

OKLAHOMA CITY – Kalyn Free from Tulsa was elected to serve as the Democratic National Committeewoman on the Oklahoma Democratic Party Central Committee. Free will fill the seat of former Committeewoman, Betty McElderry, a party stalwart who passed away suddenly in July.

“Betty is and always will be an icon within our state party, a woman who championed Democratic values of community, responsibility, and equality as chair and later as national committee representative,” said Andrews. “Today, we are proud that mantle will be picked up by Kalyn, who will continue Betty’s charge to increase economic opportunities and health care access for working families in Oklahoma.”

Free, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and attorney with expertise in environmental and tribal issues, said the work is just getting started for the DNC and ODP.

“The state party is strong, and we must continue to advocate and educate our voting base both nationally and locally,” she said. “The moral balance of our country is at stake in the next Presidential election. We must unify and coalesce around the values that will move our country forward in a healthy way. That means protecting the civil liberties of all people in America and protecting our environment.”

DNC members assist in the governing of the national party via election from their respective state party. Oklahoma has one man and one woman on the national committee in addition to the state party officials.

Walters, also a DNC member, said he is looking forward to working closely with Free at the national level including the upcoming DNC national meeting in San Francisco on August 22-24.

“Kalyn is already a respected and recognized leader within our national party,” Walters said. “Her presence on the DNC will simply make Oklahoma stronger on all national caucuses, councils and committee meetings, including platform, rules, and bylaws.”

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdemocrats.org, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.