Enid Republican Chad Caldwell has announced his candidacy for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 40. The current representative, Mike Jackson, is vacating the seat.
Caldwell is the Executive Director of Hospice Circle of Love, an Enid non-profit organization which helps those with serious illness. He and his wife, Hallie (Frantz), have three children, eight-year-old twins, Holden and Clara, and six-year-old Caroline, all of whom attend Hayes Elementary.
“Hallie and I love Enid. We are absolutely blessed to be raising our family in this wonderful community,” Caldwell said. “I am running for the state House to ensure that we have a strong voice at the Capitol and to be a champion for the conservative values we share,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell was born in a small farming community in central Illinois. He came to Oklahoma to attend OU, graduating with a business degree. As a student and after graduation, Caldwell worked for the OU Athletic Department where he over saw game day events and marketing for various sports.
In 1999, Caldwell went to work for country music entertainer Garth Brook’s charitable foundation Teammates for Kids, first as the Director of Charitable Giving and later as the Marketing Director. The Foundation teamed with professional athletes like Troy Aikman, Greg Maddux and Harmon Killebrew to raise millions of dollars annually for health, education and inner city services worldwide.
Caldwell moved to his wife’s hometown of Enid in 2005 to accept a position with the Frantz Insurance Agency. His work focused on life insurance and long-term financial planning for clients.
In 2009, Caldwell took his current position as the Executive Director at Circle of Love. He oversees a multimillion-dollar budget and a staff of 29 people.
Caldwell describes himself as “strongly conservative.” “I will stand for strict fiscal discipline and lower taxes. As someone who has run a business, met budgets and made payrolls, I know what it takes to build a business and create good jobs. I am pro-life. I support 2nd Amendment freedoms. I will oppose ObamaCare and look out for our senior citizens.”
“I come from an education family. Dad was a teacher; mom a counselor,” Caldwell said. “I will be a strong supporter of our local schools.”
Caldwell is the President Elect of the Enid Rotary Club, chairs the Enid Chamber’s Government Relations Committee, and is an Honorary Wing Commander for Vance Air Force Base.
Caldwell attends Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an Elder and Hallie teaches Sunday School. Her father, Doug Frantz, served as the Mayor of Enid from 1999-2003.
“Hallie and I know we can’t win this race on our own,” Caldwell said. “We’ll count on the support of friends across the community and do our very best for Enid.”
Contact: Chad Caldwell (cell: 580-278-9665)
