1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Former Battalion Commanding Officer Elected to State Senate

2008

LTC Steve Russell confers with his officers, Iraq--------------------- Steve Russell campaign ad---------------

LTC Steven "Steve" D. Russell (Ret)

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell may be best known for leading the battalion that was a central player in the hunt and capture
of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, but he has a much broader, more illustrious record of service. Before retiring in the fall of 2006,
He served 21 years in the U.S. Army’s Airborne, Light and Mechanized units, crossing the globe on assignments from the Arctic,
to the Pacific, to Europe, to the Middle East and back.

His seven years overseas operationally in Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, earned him numerous awards and decorations
including the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster; the Combat Infantryman’s Badge;
and the US Army Airborne and Ranger qualifications. His unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for its role in the hunt and capture of Saddam.

Born in Del City, OK, 44-year-old Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public speaking from Ouachita Baptist University
in Arkadelphia, AR, in 1985. That same year he received his commission as an Infantry Lieutenant. Russell served in the following years
as an airborne rifle and mortar platoon leader, a Bradley Company Commander, and a tactics instructor at the US Army Infantry School.
In 1998, he graduated from the Command and Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where he also earned a masters degree in history.

He was with the first forces deployed to Kosovo in June 1999 with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry as the operations officer,
responsible for all combat operations and planning which are critical to the success of any mission. Upon return from Kosovo,
Russell served as the battalion’s executive officer. In February 2001, Russell was hand-picked to become aide-de-camp
to the general in command of all ground forces in the United States, the Forces Command commander.

Later that year, Russell was deployed to Kuwait and became responsible for operational combat planning in the Afghan area of operations.
He continued to work in the Afghan arena, moving to Kabul and was the lead planner responsible for the United States plan to raise and train
the Afghan National Army. During this time he was also a delegate representing the United States at a United Nations Afghan Security Conference
in Geneva, Switzerland. Russell returned from Operation Enduring Freedom in August, 2002.

In May 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Russell deployed to Iraq to assume command of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry “Regulars”
and was at the heart of the battle in Tikrit, Iraq, until the spring of 2004. His battalion received regular coverage by the media,
and after Hussein’s capture was profiled in two documentaries “Ace in the Hole” (Discovery Channel) and “Saddam on the Run” (BBC Panorama.)

Russell returned to the states still in command the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry until June, 2005, preparing them for their second deployment that fall.
He was then selected to become the US Army Infantry School’s Chief of Tactics at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He turned down promotion to full colonel
and a Queens University War College Fellowship in Kingston, Canada to retire in September 2006 and be with his wife and 5 children.
He has since founded Vets for Victory, an organization that educates the public about the war on terror, and travels across the country
putting a soldier’s voice to the national debate on the war. He is a sought-after speaker, writer and media analyst,
and been a major voice in combating defeatist rhetoric at home.

from the Vets For Freedom website

http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/heroestour/russell.aspx

Wednesday, May 28th - OKLAHOMA CITY

Today at the State Capitol, flanked by family and an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, Steve Russell announced his bid
to run as a Republican in the State Senate race for District 45, the seat being vacated by term-limited Senator Kathleen Wilcoxsen.

A native Oklahoman, Russell retired as a Lt. Colonel after spending 21 years as an Army Infantryman. During his distinguished military career,
Russell spent tours in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq where he was a central player in the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein.

“After serving my country for so long, I now feel called to serve Oklahoma in a different way, by serving as a State Senator
for Moore, Mustang and parts of South Oklahoma City,” said Russell.”

Russell believes his time away from Oklahoma has given him a unique perspective that will benefit the citizens of Oklahoma in general and District 45 in particular.

“I have witnessed firsthand the creation of a new democracy. I have seen how the rest of the world views Oklahoma,
and I have developed an even deeper appreciation for the things that make Oklahoma and Oklahomans special: Love of God,
love of family and an enthusiasm for individual respect and responsibility that, quite frankly, does not exist in many parts of the world.”

That renewed perspective also, he believes, sheds light on some of the biggest issues facing the Sooner State
including transforming our business climate into one that rewards innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a dedicated funding stream
for our state’s backlog of road and bridge projects and reforming our tort system to benefit the truly injured rather than the trial lawyers.

Russell, Stanislawski winners in Senate contests

Associated Press - August 27, 2008 11:55 AM ET

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman says he's gotten no requests for recounts despite two very close runoff races.

In Tulsa County Gary Stanislawski defeated Cason Carter by 16 votes with a final count of 2,897 to 2,881 for the District 35 seat in the state Senate.

Eleven provisional ballots are still to be counted in that race.

And in the race for the House District 57 seat in southwestern Oklahoma Harold Wright of Weatherford won by eight votes over Lyle Miller of Clinton.

Miller says that at this point he does plan to file for a recount. He has until Friday at 5 p.m. to file.

In a second Senate runoff Steve Russell defeated Kyle Loveless for the District 30 seat in parts of Oklahoma and Cleveland counties.

In two other House primaries Mike Sanders defeated Chris Cameron in District 59 in northwestern Oklahoma
and Seneca Scott defeated Christie Breedlove in Tulsa County.

The state Election Board will meet Friday to certify the results.

Russell, Stanislawski win Oklahoma Senate seats

By John Greiner Published: August 27, 2008

Steve Russell, an Oklahoma City Republican and retired soldier, and Tulsa financial planner Gary Stanislawski won state Senate seats Tuesday

With all precincts reporting in Senate District 45, Russell, founder of Vets for Victory, defeated businessman Kyle Loveless
of Oklahoma City, 2,747 to 1,360. Russell had 66.8 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns.

The district includes portions of Oklahoma, Cleveland and Canadian counties

In Tulsa, Stanislawski eked out a narrow victory over Cason Carter, an attorney and former Tulsa City Council member,
in a Republican race for the Senate District 35 seat.

With all precincts reporting, Stanislawski defeated Carter 2,897 to 2,881, according to unofficial returns from Tulsa.

No other candidates are on the ballot seeking these two Senate seats, so Russell and Stanislawski are the two new members of the state Senate.

The Senate District 45 seat was held by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City, who could not run again because of term limits.

The Senate District 35 seat was held by Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa, who also was barred by term limits from running again.

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