On the second day of legislative filing, incumbent State Rep. Lewis Moore has a democratic challenger. Edmond attorney Kathy Wallis filed her paperwork Thursday at the State Capitol.
She told The Luther Register she was one of the “Girl Attorneys” who marched on the State Capitol on Monday during the teacher walkout, and she says if you would have asked her a week ago whether she would be a candidate, she would have laughed.
That changed Monday, she said, when she took part in the march of female attorneys and visited with Republican Moore at his legislative office. He has held the District 96 seat that includes East Edmond and Eastern Oklahoma County that includes Luther since 2009 and is term-limited in 2020.
Wallis said she hoped her 20-minute meeting with Moore would leave her confident about her legislative representation. However, she was dissatisfied with Lewis’ answers about his votes on education funding. And it helped her make a decision.
“I felt a conviction from God in my heart that He has prepared me for a time like this,” she said, adding that she is a fighter and is getting ready to run a robust campaign.
At the Capitol again today to file her campaign paperwork and pay the $500 fee, she visited with the teachers lobbying on what would become the last day of the Teacher Walkout. “I told them if you are not comfortable with what is going on, get involved and vote. Things won’t be different if the players stay the same. Oklahoma deserves better.”
Wallis, the founding attorney of Wallis Law Group in Edmond, said she is looking forward to meeting the voters of District 96, a vast district that stretches from East Edmond to Luther, Jones, Harrah and part of Choctaw.
“I’m a smalltown girl. I understand the issues,” she said. Wallis grew up in Washington, Oklahoma and graduated with a class of 30 students.
From her biography on her website:
Kathy Wallis is the founding attorney of Wallis Law Group in Edmond, OK. Her primary areas of practice are business law and estate planning. Kathy’s experience as in-house counsel for one of the nation’s largest automotive groups helped her develop a respect and understanding of the practical application of the law and its importance in operating a successful business. She engages that experience in advising business clients of all sizes. Kathy’s estate planning practice is designed to provide her clients and their families with peace of mind by preparing now for the uncertainties that life brings. She and her staff work with their clients to develop a personalized estate plan that is designed to meet their specific needs and goals.
Kathy received her law degree from Oklahoma City University Law School, graduating Cum Laude, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Kathy and her husband Dennis live in Edmond. They are charter members of Acts 2 United Methodist Church, where Kathy serves as a mentor mom for Mothers of Preschoolers and leads bible study. Their son, Chad, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Oklahoma, is currently a 3L at the University of Oklahoma School of Law.
Kathy serves on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer cook for Edmond Mobile Meals. Kathy has been a member of two drilling teams traveling to Guatemala to provide clean water wells and education in conjunction with Living Water International. She and Dennis are also supporters of Family Builders, Free to Live and Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, as well as other local based charities.
Kathy serves on the Admissions Committee and Advisory Council of The Launch Pad at Francis Tuttle and is a member of Leadership Edmond Class XXXII.
Filing continues for state, legislative and county offices through Friday at 5 pm.
If neither Moore nor Wallis draws a challenger in their parties, the pair will meet on the November general election ballot. If there are more candidates on the Republican or Democrat side, there will be a primary in June.
She definitely has my vote
Yea, someone to vote for