Rep. Jenkins: Conversations at Home

I’ve continued to enjoy spending time with you, the constituents of our great House District 33. Nearly every day has been filled with visits on front porches, kitchen tables, and front yards, and those conversations have been the highlight of my time away from the Capitol.

Listening directly to neighbors about what matters most to them is invaluable, and it has been a blessing to build those personal connections. These are not just conversations with constituents to me; these are conversations with friends, and I truly treasure the chance to hear your stories and your priorities.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining the Yale Chamber of Commerce for a legislative update at Mugsy’s. It was wonderful to see such a great crowd turn out to talk about the past session and the work ahead.

I want to say thank you to everyone who came out for the thoughtful conversation. As a first-year legislator, I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to represent the conservative values of District 33 and to work on policies that protect freedoms and support rural Oklahoma.

I also have to add, the food at Mugsy’s was absolutely delicious, and I’m already looking forward to the next visit.

On Sept. 6, our community will gather at Yale High School for the Walk for Trey in memory of Trey Allen Seward. The walk begins at 9 a.m. and is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and honoring those we have lost. This cause is especially close to my heart, as I have seen firsthand the devastating effects suicide has on families and communities. Events like this are powerful reminders that none of us are alone, and that together we can support one another through life’s hardest struggles.

Sadly, suicide remains a significant concern in Oklahoma. According to the most recent data we have from the Oklahoma Department of Health, there were 828 suicides in 2022 among residents age 10 and older, a rate of 23.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Of those, 82% were male and 18% were female. Suicides accounted for nearly 70% of all violent deaths in our state that year. These numbers are heartbreaking and represent the importance of community efforts like the Walk for Trey.

Finally, I invite everyone to join me for a Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Vassar Community Center in Perkins. I’ll be joined by Sen. Randy Grellner and Rep. Jim Shaw, and the event begins at 6:30 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to visit directly, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the issues facing our district. I hope to see you there.

It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol. If you have any questions, concerns or to sign up for our monthly newsletter, please do not hesitate to reach out. My email address is molly.jenkins@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7304.

Rep. Molly Jenkins, a Republican, represents House District 33 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Logan and Payne counties.