Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Oklahoma lieutenant governor race?
T. W. Shannon has the strongest record in the Oklahoma lieutenant governor race. T. W. Shannon scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. T. W. Shannon's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Kelly Forbes (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Kelly Forbes
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Strongest record
T. W. Shannon
61 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Kelly Forbes
- On the record2026
Serves on the board of Palomar, Oklahoma City's Family Justice Center.
Source: News 9, Oct. 2, 2026
- On the record2026-07-13
Gave an unedited televised interview to FOX23 after winning the Democratic nomination.
Source: FOX23, July 13, 2026
- On the record2016-08
As principal, introduced a no-homework policy at Zarrow International School, citing research, reported by two Tulsa TV stations.
- Credit2016-05-27
TulsaKids profiled him as principal of Zarrow International School, crediting his direct communication with parents and open-door policy.
Source: TulsaKids Magazine, May 27, 2016
T. W. Shannon
- On the record2025-04-14
Appointed senior advisor to the U.S. secretary of agriculture for rural prosperity.
Source: Indianz.com, April 14, 2025
- On the record2022-08-02
In a televised U.S. Senate runoff debate, said Democrats cheated to win the 2020 election; NonDoc reported he falsely claimed Hillary Clinton contested the 2016 election.
Source: NonDoc, Aug. 3, 2022
- On the record2021-04-06
As a state transportation commissioner, questioned ODOT about a canceled kickoff for a Chickasaw-backed highway project and said he feared political pressure; Gov. Stitt opposed the project.
Sources: NonDoc, May 2, 2021, NonDoc, June 9, 2026
- Credit2013
Became speaker of the Oklahoma House at 33, the first African American and first Chickasaw citizen to hold the post.
Source: News 9, Oct. 2, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. As an Oklahoma Transportation commissioner in 2021, publicly pressed the Stitt administration over a delayed highway project near a Chickasaw casino, clashing with Gov. Kevin Stitt, a fellow Republican.
Sources: NonDoc, June 9, 2026, NonDoc, May 2, 2021
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Kelly Forbes. Holds public campaign events, including a July 2026 Comanche County Democrats meeting, and gave an unedited televised interview after winning the nomination. No 2026 general election debate record found.
Sources: KSWO, July 6, 2026, FOX23, July 13, 2026
T. W. Shannon. Took part in a televised 2022 U.S. Senate runoff debate and holds public campaign events, including a February 2026 Lawton Chamber of Commerce visit. No 2026 general election debate record found.
Sources: NonDoc, Aug. 3, 2022, KSWO, Feb. 11, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Kelly Forbes. Years as a teacher and school administrator, including principal of Tulsa Public Schools' Zarrow International School, with no formal conduct finding found.
Source: TulsaKids Magazine, May 27, 2016
T. W. Shannon. Eight years in the Oklahoma House including two sessions as speaker, then bank CEO and state transportation commissioner, with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, T. W. Shannon
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. Took the oath as a state representative from 2006 to 2014 with no misuse-of-office finding and no recorded vote or legal filing to reject certified results. His 2022 debate statement on the 2020 election is in the Record.
Source: Ballotpedia, T. W. Shannon
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Kelly Forbes. Career educator: classroom teacher, school administrator, federal programs director and director of dual-language education; owns an education consulting firm. No government office.
Source: News 9, Oct. 2, 2026
T. W. Shannon. Won four elections to House District 62 from 2006 to 2012 and was House speaker in 2013 and 2014; later a state transportation commissioner and a USDA senior advisor.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Kelly Forbes. Published positions in general terms on public education funding, small business, rural health care and government transparency.
Source: News 9, Oct. 2, 2026
T. W. Shannon. Former House speaker (an elected chamber leadership post, E5). Published positions are general: tax cuts, lower spending and fewer regulations.
Sources: News 9, Oct. 2, 2026, NonDoc, June 9, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Kelly Forbes. Two channels documented: a campaign priorities page and public meetings and interviews. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: Kelly Forbes campaign site, Ballotpedia, Kelly Forbes
T. W. Shannon. Two channels documented: campaign issue headings and a televised 2022 debate. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: Friends of T.W. Shannon 2026, home page, Ballotpedia, T. W. Shannon
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Kelly Forbes. Raised in Skiatook and Broken Arrow and now lives in Oklahoma City. In-state share of contributions not available (state filings blocked).
T. W. Shannon. Lawton native who represented a Lawton House district for eight years. In-state share of contributions not available (state filings blocked).
Sources: KSWO, Feb. 11, 2026, News 9, Oct. 2, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Kelly Forbes. Has run a public elementary school as principal and owns an education consulting firm. Size of staff not documented.
Sources: TulsaKids Magazine, May 27, 2016, News 9, Oct. 2, 2026
T. W. Shannon. Has run an organization as CEO of Chickasaw Community Bank. Bank size and state campaign filing timeliness not confirmed.
Source: Ballotpedia, T. W. Shannon
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Kelly Forbes. No public record found.
T. W. Shannon. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Oklahoma lieutenant governor race?
T. W. Shannon has the strongest record in the Oklahoma lieutenant governor race. T. W. Shannon scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. T. W. Shannon's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Kelly Forbes (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Oklahoma lieutenant governor race in 2026?
Kelly Forbes (Democratic), T. W. Shannon (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Kelly Forbes a good candidate for Lieutenant Governor?
Kelly Forbes has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is T. W. Shannon a good candidate for Lieutenant Governor?
T. W. Shannon scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Oklahoma race scored, and the Oklahoma 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.