Gary Banz (born December 7, 1945) is a retired American educator and former Republican politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He served as a majority whip of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and as Oklahoma state leader besides national secretary of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).State Chairmen, ALEC.org. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
Banz was the author of a bill to reduce the number of state lawmakers.Oklahoma Capitol briefs, The Oklahoman. Published September 9, 2011.
Early life Banz was born December 7, 1945, in Sylvia, Kansas.Gary Banz Bio, VoteSmart.org Retrieved on May 8, 2009. He joined the United States Army in June 1968 and served until January 1970. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal on March 19, 1970. He also served in the United States Army Reserve from December 1982 until September 1990. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal on May 7, 1985.Gary Banz Web site. Retrieved on May 8, 2009.
Banz married Linda and had three children who graduated from Midwest City High School. Banz taught in various Oklahoma school districts before retiring and eventually running for office.Gary Banz Web site. Retrieved on May 8, 2009.
Political career Banz was first elected to House District 101 with no Democratic opposition in 2004.Unopposed Candidates Elected (2004) at Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 9, 2010) However, he did face two primary opponents, Jeremy Sellers and Todd Dealy.Republican Primary Election (July 27, 2004) at Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 9, 2010) He faced no opposition in 2006.Unopposed Candidates Elected (2006) at Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 9, 2010) In 2008, he defeated Democratic challenger Donnie Lewis.2008 election results at Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 9, 2010) In 2012, he defeated Democratic challenger Stephen Covert.2012 General Election Results Oklahoma State Election Board (accessed April 16, 2013).
Banz proposed House Joint Resolution 1021, which seeks to reduce the size of the Oklahoma Legislature by cutting the number of lawmakers.Hoberock, Barbara. Coming Monday: Lawmaker seeks to reduce size of state House, Senate, Tulsa World. Published November 25, 2011. The legislation was not enacted during the 2012 legislative session, but would have put a state question on the November 2012 ballot. If approved by voters, it would have been implemented in 2021.
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