Leslie Osborn

Biography

Leslie Osborn is no stranger to hard work and tough decisions.

A successful small business owner for more than 22 years, Leslie has been in the trenches of the Oklahoma workplace, solving problems and making things work.

In 2008, she heeded the call to serve the people of District 47, winning election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. And she has delivered, making state history as the first female to chair the Judiciary Committee where she authored a sweeping workers’ compensation reform bill, which lowered costs by more than 30% for Oklahoma businesses. It has been a priority for the business community for decades. Leslie got it done!

Her gutsy work on behalf of Oklahoma families has not gone unnoticed:

• Recipient, Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Businesses;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, District Attorneys Council;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma Farm Bureau;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, State Chamber of Oklahoma;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Freedom Oklahoma;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma Association for Justice;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma Credit Union Association;
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office; and
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma State Dental Association
• Recipient, Legislator of the Year, Oklahoma State Medical Association

For speaking her mind, she earned the ire of the good ol’ boys

In 2016, she was named the first Republican female chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. Until she was ousted.

Leslie was pushed from the influential post after she called for real solutions to the budget crisis, and for an end to political pandering. She publicly contradicted party leadership about program and service cuts at the Department of Human Services and got fired.

“Being relieved of my duties as chair only reinforced my desire to fight the good fight for Oklahomans who want to see destructive partisan politics, bickering and pettiness replaced with constructive conversations, fresh ideas and bold initiatives,” Leslie says.

“Oklahomans are calling out for leadership, and I intend to answer their call.”

Leslie has proven she’ll take a stand against the good ol’ boys and insiders, even when it means standing alone.

Now this mother of two is ready to fight for all Oklahomans as State Labor Commissioner, championing for both small and large businesses and their employees.

“Together we will set a new agenda for strengthening our economy and improving our quality of life,” she says.