Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her career experience includes working as a public relations consultant.[1]

County Board of Commissioners

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a dedicated community advocate and communications professional. I was born and raised in the Muscogee Nation - our forever home. I'm the proud mom of two public school kids who keep me on my toes, and everything I do is for them. We are Cherokee/Muscogee/Kiowa.

I work in communications and public relations in Tulsa and throughout Oklahoma - specializing in civic engagement, media relations, and Tribal affairs. I have a B.A. in political science and M.A. in strategic communications.

My campaign is focused on making sure Tulsa County is a place where folks feel respected, are included in decisions, and are confident they're the priority of their elected officials.

I'm bringing a multifaceted perspective to the table. I'm not just a single mom, renter (and aspiring homeowner), or small business owner. I'm someone who has navigated immense challenges and triumphs, and I believe this diversity of experience uniquely positions me to understand and address the needs of our community.

I am committed to representing the voices of everyday, working-class families. You will always know where I stand, and you can trust that my votes as commissioner will always be rooted in our shared values.

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?

Democracy thrives in the sunlight, and I am committed to bringing unparalleled transparency, accountability, and community access to Tulsa County Commissioner District 2.

I will draw upon my expertise in communications and public relations to ensure you always know what's happening in the county commissioner's office - whether its through live streaming meetings, regular public town halls, or a public log of my meetings.

You'll always know who has your commissioner's ear, from corporations to community partners.Our workforce needs a foundation of stability and support. By investing in affordable housing and quality childcare, we will ensure working families thrive. Strengthening our economy begins and ends with empowering our residents.

Mortgage and rent payments have skyrocketed, and the cost of childcare - if you can access it to begin with - can run as high as your housing.

That's not sustainable.

If we want to improve the economy, decrease the number of folks in the criminal legal system, reduce homelessness, and improve attendance and graduation rates - we have to invest in affordable housing and access to high-quality childcare.Tulsa County should be in consistent, proactive communication with Tribes. We are fortunate to have great partners in the Cherokee, Muscogee, and Osage Nations.

We have the unique opportunity to build powerful partnerships that will benefit everyone who calls this place home. I will always proactively engage with Tribal leaders on projects that impact our shared communities.

Working together with Tribes, we have the ability to bring home more federal dollars to fix our roads, support our workforce, and provide for our neighborhoods in the ways we need.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about many areas of public policy, including child and family, education, urban affairs, environment, justice, and anti-corruption and integrity.

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

- Connection to the community they're representing

- Integrity and Honesty: Upholding a strong moral ethic and committed to transparency in all actions.

- Empathy: Understanding and addressing the diverse needs of all community members, especially the most vulnerable.

- Responsibility: Being accountable for their actions and the outcomes of their policy decisions.

- Communication: Engaging effectively with the community in two-way communication. The community should be able to count on consistent, authentic communication about what is happening in their office.

- Commitment to Service: Prioritizing the public interest above personal or political gains. Committed to creating a government that serves the people who pay for the office rather than the person who holds the office.

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

The core responsibilities of an elected official begin and end with serving the public interest; not the interest of donors, potential business partners, or yourself - the people of the community. Elected officials can achieve this by prioritizing public engagement and feedback at every turn; creating a robust system of transparency and accountability; seeking meetings with community members and stakeholders who aren't represented by corporate interest groups.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to leave a legacy that my kids and community can be proud of, one that shows how much I cared about the people around me. I want everyone to know that they matter, they are respected, and they deserve to be heard. And I want for people to feel confident that they always know where I stand, and that I am always open to having my mind changed.

Growing up was tough for me, but those challenges, and those I've faced as an adult, helped shape who I am today. I hope to show young people who are struggling that they can overcome obstacles and make a big difference in the world.

As county commissioner, I want to inspire people to take action and give them hope that the government can and will do right by folks. I want to prove that no matter what path you've walked, paved or still thick with brush, you can be a strong voice for your community as long as you have your community at your side.

When I leave office, I want people to look back on my tenure as a time when they could count on transparency and community involvement. My goal is for my time in office to be remembered as four years when the County truly worked hard to address the needs of the community first, above all other interests.

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

My first job was at a Warehouse Market grocery story when I was about 14/15 years old and bouncing around from couch to couch throughout Green Country. I had it for a couple months over the summer. Turns out it's hard to keep a job when you're a homeless teenager. I was living a life well above my age and beyond my means. Looking back, I'm proud of that young girl for trying to find a way forward. It took a while, but I made my way through it.

Tell us your favorite joke.

The current American tax code.

U.S. House

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