6 OK County mayors endorse Banz for Assessor

Six Mayors Endorse Gary Banz in County Assessor’s Race

Six Oklahoma County mayors announced [Wednesday] they are endorsing Gary Banz in the Oklahoma County Assessor’s race.

“The county assessor’s work impacts not only Oklahoma County government, but also the tax
bases for each city and every school district, so it’s an honor to receive such strong support
from so many sitting mayors,” Banz said. “I make the same promise to all voters that I made to
each of the mayors: If elected, I will ensure the assessor’s office is run with competence and
integrity.”

The mayors endorsing Banz include Harrah Mayor Larry Fryar, Choctaw Mayor Randy Ross,
Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes, Del City Mayor Brian Linley, Jones Mayor Ray Poland, and
Bethany Mayor K.P. Westmoreland.

Banz previously served 12 years as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives,
where he served as 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 (ALEC) Legislator of the Year, and the 2009 Oklahoma Veteran’s Council Legislator of
the Year, among many other honors.

From 2009-2017, 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. In 2017, he served as chairman of the 75 th
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.

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.