Mark Tedford
Republican | Oklahoma
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Tedford
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary & Special SD17
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Missouri Southern Univeristy, Joplin, MO, B.S., Business, 1988-1992
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, MBA, 1992-1994
Biola University, La Mirada, Masters, Chrisian Apologetics, 2011-2013
WORK & MILITARY
Tedford Insurance, Owner & CEO, 1992-2026
Oklahoma House of Representatives, State Representative, District 69, 2022-2026
AFFILIATIONS
Home Church, Broken Arrow, Board Member, -2026
Soldier's Wish, Vice Chairman, -2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, District 69, 2022-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
United States Congress, OK-1, 2026-2026
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Tulsa Firefighters Lodge 176 / FirePAC
State Senator Christi Gillespie
Glenpool Mayor Joyce Calvert
Jenks Mayor Cory Box
Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (33)
Brian Guthrie (2024)
Christi Gillespie (2024)
Dean Davis (2024)
Dean Martin (2024)
Gabe Woolley (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (11)
Cheryl Baber (2026)
Kane Smith (2026)
Terry O'Donnell (2026)
Thoroughbred PAC (2025)
Lonnie Sims (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Sheet Metal Workers International Association (2026)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed the OKGOP Survey in 2026.
Mark Tedford signed the US Term Limits pledge.
Representative sponsored HB?2123, a bill that authorizes the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to build a new bridge over the Arkansas River near Bixby.
QUESTIONNAIRE*
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I believe every human life is sacred and deserves legal protection from conception until natural death. I will always stand for the unborn, defend strong families, and protect the faith and freedoms that are foundational to our country.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
I believe human life is sacred from its earliest stage and should be protected and treated with the dignity it deserves.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe elective abortions should not be allowed. Human life is sacred and deserves protection, especially unborn children.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
I do not believe federal, state, or local taxpayer dollars - including Title X grants - should ever be used to subsidize abortions.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
Oklahoma has taken a strong pro-life position, and I believe federal law should not be used to undermine states like ours that are working to protect unborn children, women, and families.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and private property rights are essential to economic growth, individual liberty, and the American Dream.
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Strongly Disagree
Job creators and low income families both need tax relief, not a bigger federal tax burden. I support lower taxes, responsible spending, and policies that let all families keep more of what they earn.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
Washington must cut wasteful spending, balance the budget, and reduce the national debt before it bankrupts future generations.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Immediately end all taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens and aggressively prosecute benefits fraud. 2. Audit and reform welfare programs vulnerable to abuse, including lessons from recent failures in California and Minnesota. 3. Cut wasteful federal spending, duplicative programs, and bureaucracy that do not serve taxpayers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
No American should be forced by the government to violate their sincerely held moral or religious beliefs. I support religious liberty, conscience protections, and the First Amendment.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
“Separation of church and state” means the government should not establish a national church or interfere with the free exercise of religion. It does not mean faith should be driven out of public life. I will defend religious liberty, conscience rights, and the First Amendment.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Medicare and Medicaid should remain available for seniors and the truly vulnerable, but Washington should not ever take over health care. I support patient choice, price transparency, competition, and lower costs through free-market reforms.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Disagree
Americans’ private medical information should not be placed in any government database. I support protecting patient privacy, reducing health care costs, and keeping medical decisions between patients and their doctors.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C. America’s foreign policy should put our national security and sovereignty first. We should maintain a strong military, support key allies, and avoid foreign entanglements that do not serve a clear American interest.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The CCP poses serious threats to America’s national security, cybersecurity, intellectual property, supply chains, and economic independence. We must stand strong against the CCP and protect American workers, businesses, and families.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is one of America’s most important allies and a critical partner in the fight against terrorism and radical Islamic extremism. The United States should stand with Israel, protect our shared security interests, and support Israel’s right to defend itself.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
Islamic terrorism is a serious threat to America’s national security. We must secure our borders, support law enforcement, and give our military the tools they need to keep Americans safe.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
The United States should welcome legal immigrants who respect our laws, assimilate, share our commitment to freedom, and contribute to our country. Immigration must be lawful, secure, merit-based, and never come at the expense of American workers, taxpayers, or national security.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
Sanctuary cities undermine the rule of law, weaken public safety, and put American communities at risk. Immigration laws should always be enforced, and local governments must cooperate with federal authorities to protect citizens.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Education decisions should be made by parents and local communities — not federal bureaucrats in Washington. I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning control to states and families.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should not be allowed to buy influence in American classrooms. Education must serve American students, families, and values - not foreign interests.
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
I believe marriage is a God-ordained union between one man and one woman, and I will defend religious liberty and the rights of people of faith to live according to that belief.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a devout Christian, and my faith guides how I live, lead, and serve. I believe in the sanctity of human life, the importance of family, religious liberty, personal responsibility, and treating others with honesty, humility, and respect.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo ID is a commonsense safeguard that helps protect election integrity and public confidence in our voting system.
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
Women and girls deserve privacy, safety, and fair competition. Males should not compete in women’s sports or occupy spaces reserved for women.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
American oil and gas is the most reliable energy source. We should not subsidize so called "renewable" energy sources that cannot stand on their own two feet.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Never.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
Never.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
I am a Christian conservative who believes in limited government, free enterprise, secure borders, strong families, religious liberty, the sanctity of life, the Second Amendment, and putting America first.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
We must hold predators and platforms accountable, support parents, and ensure law enforcement has the tools and support needed to keep children safe.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Public safety should focus on prosecuting violent criminals, improving mental health resources, and keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted violent felons - not restricting the rights of responsible gun owners.
