Republican T.W. Shannon is running for Oklahoma lieutenant governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Shannon, a former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, has held roles in state government, tribal enterprise and banking.

This profile is based on publicly available information and the candidate's own campaign materials. Responses attributed to the candidate come from his campaign website and public records.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Tahrohon Wayne Shannon
  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Oklahoma lieutenant governor
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Born: Feb. 24, 1978, in Lawton, Oklahoma
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in communication from Cameron University; juris doctor from Oklahoma City University

Experience and public service

Shannon represented District 62 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, according to his BallotReady profile. He served as speaker of the House from 2013 to 2014, according to Wikipedia. Shannon says on his campaign website that he was the youngest speaker in state history and the first African-American and Chickasaw to hold the position.

He also has federal experience. Before entering the Legislature, Shannon worked as a field representative for the offices of U.S. Reps. J.C. Watts and Tom Cole, according to Wikipedia.

In the private sector, Shannon led Shannon Strategies LLC as president and CEO from 2004 to 2014 and served as managing director at Premier Advisory Group/Premier Capital Partners from 2014 to 2017, according to BallotReady. He also served as chief administrative officer at Chickasaw Nation Enterprises, according to Wikipedia, and as vice president of business development at Gabbard and Company from 2009 to 2010.

Shannon has served as chief executive officer of Chickasaw Community Bank since 2017, according to BallotReady.

More recently, Shannon served as senior advisor on rural prosperity at the United States Department of Agriculture in 2025 and 2026, according to Wikipedia. BallotReady also lists a role as senior advisor at the White House. The dates for that White House role were not specified in available records.

On the issues

Economy: Shannon says on his campaign website that he supports "cutting red tape that kills jobs and opportunity."

No additional policy positions were available from the candidate's campaign materials or public records reviewed for this profile.

Endorsements

Shannon's campaign website says he has been endorsed by:

  • Donald Trump

The Oklahoma City Ledger's candidate profiles use publicly available information, official records and candidates' own responses. This profile does not constitute an endorsement.