Aaron Forst

Aaron Forst was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned an associate degree from the Tulsa Community College, a bachelor's degree fro, and graduated from Rogers State University. His career experience includes working as a small business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hi, I'm Aaron. I am a Republican & devoted Christian and have spent my life serving the Lord. For over a decade, I've been self-employed, successfully building two small businesses from scratch, both of which have been profitable every year, even during the Covid years. I understand the dedication it takes to start and sustain a new venture. Like you, I'm just an everyday person. I enjoy spending my free time working in the garage and practicing martial arts with my family. My family is incredibly important to me. We cherish our time together and love being a part of the Owasso community. My wife and I actively participate in the Owasso Chamber of Commerce, connecting with fellow small business owners, city officials, local school administration, and community leaders.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I believe in pro-business policies that create opportunities for Oklahomans to succeed. Lowering taxes and reducing unnecessary government spending will allow families and entrepreneurs to keep more of what they earn and reinvest in their businesses and communities. I will fight to remove bureaucratic red tape that stifles economic growth and job creation. A strong economy benefits everyone, and I will always support policies that attract new businesses, empower small business owners, and ensure Oklahoma remains a top destination for economic development.Oklahoma prides itself on being a pro-business state, but too often, financial aid intended for small businesses ends up benefiting large corporate conglomerates instead. Loopholes and overly complex application processes can make it nearly impossible for small business owners—many of whom are already working 60-80 hours a week—to access the resources meant for them. We need to ensure that incentives are clearly defined, accessible, and streamlined so they truly reach the entrepreneurs they are designed to help. That being said, big business also plays a vital role in our state’s economy. We need competitive incentives for both large and small businesses.Childcare is one of the most regulated private industries in the country, making it difficult for providers to operate profitably. While regulations are necessary to protect children, excessive restrictions from DHS have led to underpaid workers, high costs for families, and limited availability. Recent funding cuts have only worsened the problem, leaving two-thirds of Oklahoma in a childcare desert. This shortage forces many parents out of the workforce, creating hiring challenges for businesses. While smart investments in childcare could boost Oklahoma’s economy by over $1.2 billion, there are also no-cost solutions within DHS that would allow providers to expand, improve wages, and serve more families—while saving the state money.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Pro-Life and Family Values - As a Christian, I am a firm believer that every life is created by God. Additionally, I believe in the importance of traditional family values and policies that strengthen the foundation of our communities.

Limited Government- Government should serve the people, not control them. I will always fight against government overreach and excessive regulations that infringe upon our freedoms.

Eliminate the State Income Tax- Phasing out Oklahoma’s state income tax will keep more money in the hands of hardworking families, attract businesses, and fuel economic growth.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Faith and understanding. Faith in God is important and I will never support policy that goes against my faith or my God. With that said just because someone does not agree with you, does not make them a bad person. Jesus was often in the presence of those that did not follow his teachings. I love Jesus and I also love like Jesus. Meaning that we should show love you even when we do not agree. We should always show respect. Disagreement should not equal hatred.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My Christian faith is the foundation of my life and will guide every decision I make. My faith teaches me to lead with integrity and serve others. I will stand firm in my convictions and work tirelessly to protect the values that define them.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listening. Plain and simple we are elected to serve not to be served. The person at the top has a responsibility to all those that put them there.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Things happened in my younger days Such as the Challenger Explosion but I was too young for them to have an impact on me as they were happening. The first one of significance for me was in the 6th grade when the Murrah Federal Building was bombed. I remember TV's being brought into all of our classrooms. We didn't fully understand it at the time but the gravity of what happened set in very quickly. As Oklahomans we all had connection to this tragedy. Seeing the images of the first responders gave me my first real thoughts of becoming a first responder. An incident later in life would solidify that for me and I became licensed an EMT for several years.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

At the age of 14 I started throwing newspapers for the Tulsa World. I got a motorcycle license and my parents bought me a cheap motorcycle. I had to pay them back before keeping any money for myself. I kept that job through the early part of college. That job was 7 days a week. I got up at 3am went to work and got an hour or 2 of sleep afterward and got up again to go to school. This job is where I attained my work ethic. Back in the early days of this job, we billed our own customers so I also had to keep books, so I learned about finance at a very young age.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, I believe common everyday people who understand what is happening in their state and community should be running the government.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely, it takes a village and bills don't get passed on the vote of 1 person. Building strong relationships is the key to creating productive policies. Politicians should listen to each other just as they listen to the people that voted them into office.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I am always down for a good Dad joke but my favorite joke was one that I got to use over and over while visiting Italy. We were in the capitol of Rome and in Rome the traffic is crazy, the culture is much different, and the way things are done may not be the way we do them in the US. So every time I would dart through traffic on a scooter, or do something that was not normal for me, I would just look at her with the big cheesy grin and say "When in Rome"

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The government should be held accountable for every penny they spend and for every law they pass. The unfortunate thing is no matter what regulations we put in place, over time someone will find a loophole to bypass the regulations, so more regulations are put in place. At some point regulations become so prohibitive that it makes the program prohibitive. Everything has a lifecycle and at some point all programs need to be overhauled, once they have become prohibitive.