Steve Russell (politician)

Steve Russell
Official portrait, 2017
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 5th district
In office
January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byJames Lankford
Succeeded byKendra Horn
Member of the Oklahoma Senate
from the 45th district
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 8, 2013
Preceded byKathleen Wilcoxson
Succeeded byKyle Loveless
Personal details
Born
Steven Dane Russell

(1963-05-25) May 25, 1963 (age 61)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Cindy Myers
(m. 1985)
Children5
EducationOuachita Baptist University (BA)
United States Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1985–2006
RankLieutenant colonel
Unit1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment
4th Infantry Division
1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment
1st Infantry Division
Battles/warsKosovo War
Afghanistan War
Iraq War
 • Operation Red Dawn
AwardsLegion of Merit
Bronze Star (with valor)
Combat Infantryman Badge
Ranger tab

Steven Dane Russell (born May 25, 1963) is President and CEO of JAARS, Inc. He is a retired American soldier and former politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district from 2015 to 2019, after serving in the Oklahoma Senate from 2009 to 2013. Russell is a member of the Republican Party.

Russell reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, and played a significant role in the capture of Saddam Hussein during the Iraq War. He served in the Oklahoma Senate, and ran for the House of Representatives when James Lankford did not run for reelection. After winning two terms in the House, Russell was defeated for re-election in 2018 by Democrat Kendra Horn. After serving as Executive Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from 2019 to 2022, he assumed the position of President and CEO of JAARS, Inc. on October 1, 2022.[1]