Kody Macaulay

Kody Macaulay served in the U.S. Air Force from 2009 to 2022. He earned a graduate degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Kody Macaulay, a Democratic candidate for District 4 in Oklahoma. My journey began as an Eagle Scout, instilling a strong sense of duty and community service. I then embarked on a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, receiving commendations for my dedication. After seven years of service and two deployments, I transitioned to the Air Force Reserves and ventured into law enforcement, balancing national service with community protection.

My personal life is deeply rooted in family values. I'm married to Melissa, and we have two amazing children, Zooey (10) and Charlee Rose (8). Our household is lively with our cherished pets: Kenobi, Kitt, and our recently rescued puppy, Rebel.

Education has always been a priority for me, leading to the attainment of a Master of Science in Sport Management from SNHU. In 2022, after serving a total of 13 years, I medically separated from the Air Force Reserves. My recent professional endeavor involved Information Technology and Security at Tinker Air Force Base, where I helped establish the first Cyber Mission Defense Team in the Air Force.

Now, motivated by a desire to serve at a broader level, I am running for Congress to represent District 4. My background in the military, law enforcement, and IT equips me to advocate effectively for the diverse wants and needs of District 4. Throughout my journey, I have remained committed to supporting and defending the rights of my family, neighbors, and country.

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?

Reproductive Freedom: I am dedicated to safeguarding reproductive rights and ensuring access to necessary healthcare services for all individuals. The fight for reproductive rights is a fundamental struggle for gender equality and personal autonomy, and it's important we remember that.Social Security and Medicare: Over 20% of citizens in District 4 rely on Social Security and Medicare benefits to survive. Instead of prioritizing profits over people, I will always do everything I can to safeguard the most vulnerable members in our society. Not only is it our civic duty, but it's what we should be doing as human beings.

I'm dedicated to working in a bipartisan fashion to find a solution to not only protect these critical lifelines, but to expand them as well.Supporting Veterans: As a veteran myself, I understand the issues veterans face. It is our job to ensure they receive ALL of the support they need as they transition out of the military. We need to continue supporting the VA and increase their funding so they can continue supporting the needs of veterans.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

In addition to the key messages, I am passionate about leveraging my law enforcement experience to advocate for criminal justice reforms that promote accountability, transparency, and community trust.

I will always advocate for the rights and sovereignty of Native American tribes, and I am committed to addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. We need to ensure justice and safety for these families and communities.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My dad was, and will always be, my hero.

He served in the Air Force in the mid-70s as a Military Policeman, with deployments in Korea, Greenland, and Louisiana. Following his military service, he embarked on an almost 30-year career in law enforcement, honorably serving the communities of Shreveport and Los Altos. Unfortunately, he couldn't finish his career on his own terms, as he was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease. Despite this, he taught me invaluable lessons about integrity, helping others, and resilience in the face of adversity.

My dad bravely battled Parkinson's until he passed away on September 24, 2021. If I can be even half the dad he was, I would consider that a great success.

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

The first memory I can recall is signing my adoption papers when I was 5 years old. Prior to that I had been in and out of foster homes since birth along with my brother. After we signed our papers, all of our family and friends gathered together at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate. I am forever thankful for my adoption, and promise to support and strengthen foster care in any way I can.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The United States faces several significant challenges that will require bipartisan efforts to address.

1. Economic Inequality: The growing disparity between the wealthy and the rest of us poses a threat to our economic stability. Addressing income inequality through fair wages, improved access to education, and equitable tax policies will be crucial to ensuring a balanced and just society.

2. Climate Change: The impacts of climate change threaten our very existence. We must find sustainable ways to mitigate the negative effects we have on the earth. It's going to take all of us to fix it.

3. Cybersecurity: As technology continues to advance, so do the threats to our national security and privacy. We need elected officials that understand what it takes to strengthen our cybersecurity, protect critical infrastructure, and safeguard personal data.

4. Political Polarization: We continue to drift further and further apart from each other on the political spectrum, which is hampering the ability to effectively govern. We've seen proof of it with the 118th Congress being almost completely ineffective. We have to get back to bipartisan cooperation, promote civil discourse, and protect our democracy.

What committees interest you?

Given my background and passions, there are several congressional committees that I believe align well with my experience and the issues I care deeply about:

1. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs: With my military service and commitment to supporting fellow veterans, I’m driven to ensure veterans get the healthcare, mental health support, and resources they deserve. This committee is a natural fit for my dedication to veteran advocacy.

2. House Committee on Armed Services: My years in the Air Force and involvement in national defense, including my work on the Cyber Mission Defense Team, make me eager to contribute to our national security policy and support our armed forces effectively.

3. House Committee on Judiciary: Given my law enforcement background and my focus on criminal justice reform, I’m passionate about shaping policies that promote fairness, accountability, and trust in our justice system.

4. House Committee on Energy and Commerce: This committee’s scope includes healthcare, which ties into my commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare, as well as ensuring access to reproductive healthcare services.

5. House Committee on Natural Resources: My interest in Tribal Sovereignty and addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) drives me to work on policies that protect the rights and well-being of Native American communities.

These committees align with my professional experiences and the key issues I’m passionate about. They provide a platform for me to effectively advocate for the needs of my constituents and work towards meaningful change. For more details on my campaign and policies, please visit kodyforok.com.

Campaign website

Macaulay’s campaign website stated the following:

Our Campaign's Top Issues

While there are many things I would like to tackle in DC, I want to highlight a few that I am passionate about. Reproductive freedom, protecting our benefits, being a voice and an ally for marginalized groups, and protecting my fellow veterans.

Reproductive Freedom

The recent developments in our country have brought significant changes to the Supreme Court, leading to the overturning of the landmark decision, Roe v. Wade. This decision has had a profound impact on women's reproductive rights, leaving many people feeling disenfranchised and without the autonomy to make choices about their own bodies. It is a pivotal moment in our history, and it underscores the urgency of prioritizing the protection of a woman's right to choose. As a dedicated advocate for reproductive rights, I am committed to standing up against any attempts to pass a nationwide abortion ban, ensuring that every woman has access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare.

We must recognize that the fight for reproductive rights is a fundamental struggle for gender equality and personal autonomy. The decisions we make today will shape the future of our society, and it is my unwavering commitment to champion women's rights, to provide them with the freedom and agency to make choices about their own bodies, and to protect the right to choose from any undue interference. I believe that safeguarding these rights is not only a moral imperative but also a reflection of our values as a nation that champions individual freedoms and personal choices.

Protecting Social Security and Medicare

Rep. Tom Cole's persistent efforts to cut Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid benefits since the 1980s raise important questions about his priorities and the root causes of our national debt. In his recent speech nominating Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House, he placed the blame on these essential benefits, benefits that 20% of District 4 rely on.

It's essential to remember that over 813,000 people rely on Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid benefits for their daily survival. While some politicians prioritize corporate profits, my commitment is to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our society. One viable solution to ensure the solvency of these vital programs is to consider increasing or eliminating the Social Security Tax Cap, a move that could extend the program's stability for another 75 years or more. Rather than targeting critical lifelines for those in District 4 and beyond, we should explore alternative options that protect and support the people who need it most. It's time to prioritize the well-being of our citizens over fiscal agendas.

Protecting our Veterans

Securing the well-deserved benefits for our veterans and safeguarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from privatization is a crucial mission. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it's our duty to ensure they receive the support they need. From healthcare to education and housing, these benefits are lifelines for veterans transitioning to civilian life. We must stand strong in advocating for policies that not only protect but also enhance these crucial services, recognizing and respecting the immense contributions of our veterans to our nation's security.

The looming threat of privatizing the VA is concerning, as it could jeopardize the quality and accessibility of veteran care. A privatized system might prioritize profits over the well-being of our heroes, potentially leading to a reduction in specialized services and personalized support. Preserving the public nature of the VA is vital, ensuring that veterans continue to receive the comprehensive and tailored care they deserve. As we rally behind the cause of protecting veteran benefits, let's also unite to uphold the integrity of the VA as a public institution, guaranteeing that our veterans are cared for in a way that truly honors their sacrifices.

Tribal Sovereignty/MMIW

Our Tribal Nations deserve a country that respects their sovereignty and upholds its commitments. For far too long, we've been shifting the goalposts and encroaching on their ability to self-govern. Tribal sovereignty means honoring their right to manage their natural resources and control their territories without interference.

It's unacceptable that treaties, some dating back to 1835 like the Treaty of New Echota with the Cherokee Nation, are still not being honored. Promises made must be promises kept. The Cherokee Nation was promised a Representative in Congress, yet that seat remains vacant.

The statistics on violence against Native women are appalling. They experience violence at a staggering rate of 80% and are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than the national average. Organizations like MMIW/MMIP are working tirelessly to address this crisis. In Oklahoma, we've taken a step forward with the Kasey Alert, a vital tool akin to the Amber Alert, specifically for at-risk Native individuals. It's time for this life-saving alert system to be implemented nationwide, and I'm committed to introducing legislation to make it a reality. We owe it to our Native communities to ensure their safety and protect their rights.

2SLGBTQIA+ Rights

LGBTQ+ rights are unequivocally human rights, full stop. The principles enshrined in our nation's Declaration of Independence make this abundantly clear, proclaiming that "all men are created equal" and that they possess certain unalienable rights, including the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is disheartening that, despite these foundational ideals, we continually find ourselves facing the stark reality of marginalization and discrimination against a whole group of people. It's high time we reflect on our past, learn from it, and evolve as a society to embrace the values of equality, inclusion, and justice.

Regrettably, some Republicans, including Tom Cole, are intent on rolling back the progress we've made. Their nostalgia for the past threatens to drag us backward, while the majority of us are eager to move forward. We cannot allow them to turn the clock back to the 1950s; instead, we must stand united in our commitment to a more inclusive, accepting, and forward-thinking society that upholds the dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It's time to ensure that our nation lives up to its foundational promise of equality and liberty for all.

[2]

—Kody Macaulay’s campaign website (2024)[3]