Julia Kirt – A Drop of Blue in a Sea of Red

BY HAYDEN KLEIN

Senator Julia Kirt is a refreshing and new face to district 30 in Oklahoma, including parts of Oklahoma City. Being one of the 9 total democrats in the Oklahoma Senate, Kirt’s main focus is on Oklahoma’s controversial education funding and health care policies.

“In general, I always try to include every and all voices and maximize opportunities for everyone, that’s what I wanted in my nonprofit life and that’s what I want here.”

Kirt, elected into office in November of 2018, grew up in England while her father was stationed in the Air Force. Senator Kirt’s father, a moderate Republican, served in Vietnam while her mother, who lived in Oklahoma, was a democrat raised by 2 teachers. Kirt attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota before moving back to Oklahoma in 1995 and began running non-profit organizations. These include Oklahomans for the Arts, and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition.

“Politics was never a goal of mine” Kirt explains, “I joined to be a problem solver.”

Kirt’s main political focus currently has been expanding access to health care, especially mental health care in Oklahoma, as well as Oklahoma’s controversial education spending.

“We’ve underfunded education for years, we’ve created a lot of policies making it difficult for them (educators) to teach, and we’re suffering for it.”

While Senator Kirt is somewhat new to politics, she hasn’t let that deter her. “I spent a year and a half knocking on doors and talking to people, I’m trying to build truth and be honest for everyone.”

While Oklahoma’s controversial education spending and other policies may have gained national attention, Kirt also likes to focus on the strong suits of Oklahoma. Working in many art non-profits, she loves how Oklahoma “…support(s) creativity and tries to retain artists and tourism…”. Kirt has high hopes for the future of Oklahoma and its newest administration. “I

believe the last 8 years were very challenging in terms of decision making and policy, but I will look for actions, not just words.”

Senator Kirt may be in the front seat for Oklahoma’s political revolution. After the state’s teacher strike made national headlines, and with citizens now calling for more education funding and less conservative policy making, Kirt may be the first of a small democratic wave rushing into the Senate and legislative committees.