Former Rep. Banz announces for Oklahoma County Assessor

Gary Banz Seeks Oklahoma County Assessor Job

Community leader Gary Banz announced today that he will be a Republican candidate for Oklahoma County Assessor in 2018. Incumbent Assessor Leonard Sullivan is not seeking reelection.

“I’ve been blessed to wear many hats through the years. I’ve enjoyed being a soldier, an educator, a citizen legislator, and a community and civic leader,” Banz said. “I am grateful for the leadership opportunities I have been given and the accomplishments realized through dedicated teamwork. It would be my honor to serve the citizens of Oklahoma County as their next Assessor,” Banz added. 

Banz served 12 years as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. During his legislative service, Banz held several leadership positions, including majority whip, chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, chair of the Conference Committee on Government Modernization and Rules Committee, chair of the House Rules Committee, and chair of the House Ethics Committee.

During his service in the House, Banz was given the 2016 National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) – Oklahoma Guardian of Small Business Award, the 2014 National Guard Association of Oklahoma’s Legislator of the Year, the 2013 American Legislative Exchange Council Legislator of the Year, and the 2009 Oklahoma Veteran’s Council Legislator of the Year, among many other honors.

From 2009 through earlier this year, Banz served as executive director of Oklahoma Honor Flights, a non-profit organization that made it possible for Oklahoma’s World War II veterans to visit the memorials honoring their service in Washington, D.C.

Banz has long been active in local and civic affairs. He is currently serving as chairman of the year-long 75th anniversary celebration of the founding of Midwest City. From 2001 to 2004, Banz served on the Rose State College Board of Regents and from 1999 to 2001 on the Oklahoma County Election Board. He is a member of both the Midwest City Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

Before serving in the Legislature, Banz was a public school educator in Putnam City, Ada, and Midwest City High Schools for 28 years. He coached high school basketball 21 of those 28 years and was a 2014 inductee into the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Banz served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982 to 1990, and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal in 1985. Banz was a member of the Planning Committee for funding of the USS Oklahoma Memorial in 2007. He was awarded the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom from the National Guard Association of Oklahoma in 2014. Banz was presented the Douglas O. Dollar Distinguished Community Service Award for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2016. He was honored by the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society with its Pathmaker Award in 2016.

“Every job is different, but I’ve found that the secret to success is to focus on those you serve and to get the small things right,” Banz said. “My promise to the voters of Oklahoma County is that I will ensure the assessor’s office is competent, thorough, and professional.”

Banz holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Nazarene University (SNU) and a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. He and his wife, Linda, are members of the Choctaw Church of the Nazarene. Banz is the 2017 recipient of the In Kingdom Service Award presented by SNU at the denomination’s International General Assembly. They have three children and six grandchildren.