The Comanche County Republican Party (CCRP) has a deep-rooted history in Comanche County, Oklahoma. While the exact date of its founding is not easily found in public records, Republican activity in the region dates back to the early 20th century. For over a century, dedicated citizens have helped shape and define our community through conservative values and civic engagement. Today, we continue that legacy – boldly standing to influence the future.
Recent Leadership
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- Terry Evans: Served from February 2023 to February 2025. He is a retired veteran and an advocated for election integrity.
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- Daremy Gleaves: Served from February 2021 to February 2023. During the grand opening of the CCRPs temporary headquarters in Lawton, Daremy emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement and local engagement in the political process.
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- Edward Petersen: Probably the longest serving chairman for approximately 15 years. He stepped down in 2021. In 2016, he was active in educating the public about the Electoral College during the presidential election.
Notable Republican Figures from Comanche County
Beyond party leadership, several Republicans from Comanche County have held significant public offices:
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- L. M. “Nick” Gensman (1878–1954) was a prominent early Republican leader in Comanche County, Oklahoma. A lawyer by profession, he moved to Lawton in 1901 and quickly became involved in public service, serving as a federal bankruptcy referee and later as County Attorney. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1920, he served one term representing Oklahoma’s 6th district, where he worked on the Indian and Insular Affairs committees. Though defeated in 1922, he remained politically active, including as a delegate to the 1924 Republican National Convention. Gensman practiced law, engaged in the oil industry, and hosted a wartime radio show before his death in Lawton in 1954. He was interred at Highland Cemetery in Lawton, Oklahoma.
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- Gary Jones: A native of Fort Sill, Jones served as Comanche County Commissioner in the 1990s. He later became the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector and also chaired the Oklahoma Republican Party. Jones was a gubernatorial candidate in 2018.
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- Ann Coody: Representing the 64th District, which includes Lawton, Coody served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2004 to 2016. She was the first Republican and the first woman to hold that seat.
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- T. W. Shannon: Born in Lawton, Shannon served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 62nd district. In 2013, he became Oklahoma’s first African-American Speaker of the House.
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- Daniel Pae: Pae represents west Lawton in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, having been elected in 2018. He previously worked in municipal government in Lawton and was the youngest member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives when first elected.
Nate Bouvia: 2005 │Georgia Williams: 2003 │Chuck Mason: 2002 │Susan Foster: 1998│Mark Stevenson: 1997 │ Juliana Peyravy: 1997 │Calvin Williams: 1989 │ Ernest Roper: 1977 │ Dan Van Meter: 1974 │ CG Gates: 1971 │ Bill Smisson: 1970│ Col (Ret) Thomas W. Donnell: 1968 │Fred Brewer: 1965 │ Rosemary Lowman: 1964│ Robert Cook: 1963 │ Dan Lowman: 1963│ Walter F. Wolverton: 1954 │ J.B. Colwell: 1956 │ Exall English: 1946│R.L. Robertson: 1944 │George Frampton: 1940 │ Dr. J.F. Rowell: 1938 │ Arling W. Eckhart: 1952 – 1956│ Oscar H. Jones: 1932 │ Charles D. Campbell: 1926-1932 │Carl Kenniston: 1919 │ Frank V. Wright: 1912 │ W.C. Stevens: 1907 │ J.L. Hamon: 1904
