Jabar Shumate

American politician

Jabar Shumate


Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 11th district
In office 2012 – January 6, 2015
Preceded by	Judy Eason McIntyre
Succeeded by	Kevin Matthews
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 73rd district
In office 2004–2012
Preceded by	Judy Eason McIntyre
Succeeded by	Kevin Matthews

Personal details
Born	(1976-01-26) January 26, 1976 (age 48) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jillian Leggett Shumate
Residence(s)	Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Oklahoma
Occupation	Public Relations consultant

Jabar Shumate (born January 26, 1976) was a Democratic Party politician in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He is former member of both the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Early life and career

Shumate was born January 26, 1976, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in public affairs and administration.^[1] During his time at the university, he served as student body president.^[2]

Political career

Since his election, Shumate has worked on education reform and health issues. He co-authored a study to look at ways to incentivize healthier foods in urban Tulsa neighborhoods.^[3] He has also held leadership positions in the Oklahoma legislative black caucus.^[4]

Shumate had a tough 2010 primary, edging out a primary opponent after education unions threw their support behind his opponent.^[5]

Shumate left the Oklahoma House of Representatives to run for a state Senate seat.^[6] He faced a member of the Tulsa City council in a 2012 primary for the state Senate seat vacated by Judy Eason McIntyre.^[7]

University of Oklahoma Resignation

Shumate would be appointed to a newly created role as the Vice President of University Community in 2015.^[8] After 3 years in his role, Shumate would resign after an internal audit produced evidence that he had misappropriated school property. OU General Counsel Anil Gollahalli noted that Shumate "should have been aware of the statute broken as it was part of an amended law passed during Shumate's time in the state legislature".^[9]

The audit of Shumate activities would ultimately cite approximately 124 times between July 1, 2017 thru March 29, 2018 in which he would misappropriate a car provided to him for work purposes as well as several instances of Unauthorized Use of Fleet Fuel Card and False Travel Claims.^[10]

Personal life

Shumate married Jillian Leggett on November 12, 2011, after proposing to her at his church on February 13, 2011.^[11]

References

^ Jabar Shumate Bio, VoteSmart.org. Retrieved on May 8, 2009.
^ 119 new lawmakers sworn in, Tulsa World.
^ Officials seek incentives to bring grocers to Oklahoma, The Oklahoman. Published Nov. 2, 2009.
^ Associated Press. Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus announces leaders, The Oklahoman.
^ Jabar Shumate survived 'all-out face-to-face fight' with unions, CapitolBeatOK.com. Published Oct. 29, 2010.
^ Departing Oklahoma representatives, The Oklahoman. Published June 24, 2012.
^ Longtime leaders Jabar Shuamate and Joe Williams to face off in Senate District 11 Democratic primary, Tulsa World. Published June 6, 2012.
^ [1], University of Oklahoma Public Affairs.
^ [2],OU Daily. Published July 26, 2018.
^ [3], [University of Oklahoma Internal Audit] July 20, 2018.
^ Meet Jabar Shumate, Tulsa World.