Biography

Senator Jay Paul Gumm was born in Durant on Nov. 29, 1963; he is the third consecutive generation of his family to have been born in Senate District 6, which covers parts of Atoka and Coal counties and all of Bryan, Johnston and Marshall counties in southern Oklahoma.

He announced his candidacy for the Senate on Jan. 9, 2002. He won the Democratic nomination on Aug. 27 and was the overwhelming choice in the General Election on Nov. 5, 2002. Senator Gumm was sworn into office at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002 for a four-year term.

Senator Gumm was re-elected without opposition in 2006 to a second term.

In his first term, Gumm became an assistant majority leader and served as the Senate's "chief presiding officer," a duty previously held only by senior senators. He was first handed the Senate gavel during his first year as senator; Gumm spent almost a third of his first session as "Mr. President" - and even more time as the Presiding Officer in his second and third years. As his first term concluded, he spent most of each session conducting the daily business of the Senate.

Senator Gumm wrote and saw passed into law the two largest tax cuts in Oklahoma's history. Among his bills signed into law are legislation to:

  • Strengthen Oklahoma's economy;
  • Improve conditions for thousands of working Oklahomans;
  • Protect Oklahoma's children;
  • Defend Oklahomans' Second Amendment rights to "keep and bear arms"
  • Improve public schools;
  • Toughen state law on drug paraphernalia;
  • Reduce the size of state government;
  • Improve health care and make prescription drugs more accessible to needy Oklahomans; and
  • Prevent large cities from draining southern Oklahoma's water supply

The National Journal's "Hotwire" political news service says Gumm is one of 10 "rising stars" in Oklahoma politics. He was also mentioned on the "Flashpoint" television show as one of the "up-and-coming" leaders in Oklahoma. Gumm was named one of the Democratic Party's rising stars nationally by the OneAmerica Committee.

Following his first session in 2003, Gumm was named "Newcomer of the Year" by the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Public Employees Association named Gumm "Senator of the Year" in 2003, an honor rarely - if ever - accorded to a first-year lawmaker. In 2004, the Oklahoma's Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program honored him for his work to protect children who have suffered abuse.

The senator has also been honored for his work to protect the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, a groundwater source that provides spring and stream flow for many communities in southern Oklahoma, including: Durant, Tishomingo, Ardmore, Ada, Connerville, Wapanucka and others. The aquifer also feeds the springs in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur. The Tishomingo City Council and the Citizens for the Protection of the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer both recognized Gumm's efforts with plaques.

The Oklahoma Academy for State Goals presented Gumm with one of only four "Exceptional Commitment" awards given to lawmakers after the 2005 legislative session, and the Oklahoma Rifle Association named Gumm its 2005 "Legislator of the Year." Preservation Oklahoma honored Gumm in 2005 for his work to preserve Oklahoma's historic buildings with its highest honor for a lawmaker, and the Oklahoma Association of Realtors presented him with an award for his work to protect consumers.

The Oklahoma Disabled American Veterans named Gumm "Legislator of the Year" in 2006 for his work on behalf of those who fought for our freedom. Also, the Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance Programs - programs designed to get help at-risk students into colleges and universities - named Senator Gumm a "TRiO Champion" in 2006. Gumm was honored for his courageous efforts to oppose cuts in the program at the national level.

Senator Gumm was named one of Southeastern Oklahoma State University's "Distinguished Alumni" during ceremonies at the 2008 Homecoming. The list of SOSU Distinguished Alumni also includes Reba McEntire, author Billie Letts, Choctaw Chief Greg Pyle, Major League Baseball great Brett Butler, former Gov. Raymond Gary, and former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Leslie Fisher.

Other Legislator of the Year awards include presenations from:

  • Oklahoma Association of Mortgage Professionals;
  • Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control:
  • Bryan County Federation of Democratic Women; and
  • TARC, a state organization advocating for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities.

Southern Oklahoma has been home to Senator Gumm's family since before statehood. His mother's and his father's families settled in Bryan and Marshall counties, respectively, before Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. His parents are the late Jay W. "Dub" and Harlene Taylor Gumm. A younger sister, Kari Jayne Gumm, also lives in the district.

Educated in the Durant Public Schools, Gumm received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. While at Southeastern, Gumm was a four-year member of the Student Senate, serving his final year as Southeastern's student president. The Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women named him the Outstanding Young Democrat in Oklahoma in 1983.

Gumm was a Lyndon Baines Johnson Congressional Intern in the Washington office of former U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins during his junior year at Southeastern. He is the only Southeastern student to have served as governor of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, Oklahoma's highest student government post.

Following his college graduation, Gumm worked for the Oklahoma House of Representatives for more than a dozen years. Even before his election to the Senate, Gumm was considered by many to be an expert on complex legislative procedures and issues. During his service on the House staff, he was elected to positions of national leadership in the organization of state legislative staff members.

Given the opportunity to return to his hometown, Gumm became executive director of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce in December 1998, a position he held until his election to the Senate. As chamber director, he worked countless hours on numerous economic development projects and programs to improve the quality of life throughout rural Oklahoma. Among results achieved during his service at the chamber was Durant's job creation program that has attracted hundreds of good-paying jobs with health insurance and almost $200 million in new business investment to southern Oklahoma.

Active in many civic organizations, Gumm was vice chair of the Durant Industrial Authority until becoming senator. He is president of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program board of directors, and has served on the several volunteer boards, including the United Way and Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma.

Gumm and his wife Deena will celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in April. The Gumms welcomed their first child, a son - Jacob Taylor Gumm - on Dec. 16, 2005. Little Jacob became the fourth generation of his family to be born in Senate District 6.

 

 2008 Christmas Portrait

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, his wife of 14 years, Deena, and their three-year-old son, Jacob in the Christmas 2008 portrait.

 

 

"Honorary President Pro Tempore of the Senate"

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, the Senate's chief presiding officer, convenes the 2006 session of the Oklahoma Legislature with his seven-week-old son, Jacob Taylor Gumm, in his arms. After introducing young Jacob to his colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Ted Fisher moved that Jacob be named "Honorary President Pro Tempore of the Senate" for the first day of session, a motion that passed unanimously and will be written into the permanent Journal of the Oklahoma Senate.

 

After being named Honorary President Pro Tempore, Jacob Taylor Gumm returns to his mother, Deena Gumm, who was unanimously granted special floor privileges.

Click Images to Enlarge

"A Miracle" - Jacob Taylor Gumm rests with his mother, Deena, in their room at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma. Little Jacob was born Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:55 a.m. He was seven pounds, eight ounces, 19 inches long and the pride and joy of his father, Senator Jay Paul Gumm, who took the photo.

 

"A Prayer Answered" - Senator Jay Paul Gumm holds his son, Jacob Taylor Gumm, in a photo taken by Jacob's mother, Deena. Jacob's birth was the answer to prayers, and he has brought new joy to the Gumm home. Jacob is wearing a cap that says "Future Member," a gift from U.S. Congressman & Mrs. Dan Boren.

 

In May 1983, the Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women named Jay Paul as the "Outstanding Young Democrat in Oklahoma." During college, Gumm was a local, state and national officer in Young Democrats. Here, he is pictured with (from left) Eunice McCutcheon and Wyota Hannan of the Bryan County Federation of Democratic Women. Mrs. McCutcheon won an award for her outstanding history book on the local chapter and Mrs. Hannan had been named Outstanding Democratic Woman at the same convention Jay Paul was honored.

 

Jay Paul is shown at the State Capitol addressing the House of Representatives of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature just before they elect him Speaker of the House in 1984. Jay Paul is the only Southeastern student to ever be elected Speaker. After a record-setting three terms as Speaker, he became the only Southeastern graduate to be elected to Oklahoma's highest student government office: Governor of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature.

 

Jay Paul spent the summer of 1984 as a Lyndon Baines Johnson Congressional Intern in the office of U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins. Even in college, Jay Paul knew the importance of serving the public.

On Nov. 30, 1977, a blast rocked Kimbell Mill in Durant sending 15 workers at the facility to the hospital. As Durant Middle School student council president, Jay Paul organized a fundraising drive among his fellow students that netted over $150 for families of the victims. Here, Jay Paul and his vice president, Shelby Welcher, hand over the check to Dale Flanagan, then-president of Durant Bank & Trust Co.

 

Jay Paul graduated from Durant Middle School in 1978. Here, he receives his diploma from school Superintendent David Williams. David is now one of Jay's neighbors and earliest supporters in his bid for the state Senate.

 

Jay Paul learned about citizenship in the Cub Scouts when he was a student at Robert E. Lee Elementary on Durant's south side - the same school his mother attended as a little girl. Here, Jay Paul displays the trophy he won in the Cub Scouts' Pinewood Derby in 1972.

 

Jay Paul is often requested to speak to various groups and events, and among those enjoys most are patriotic events.

Here, Jay Paul presents one of the speeches at the 2001 Memorial Day ceremony at Highland Cemetery in Durant.

The son of a Korean War Veteran, Jay Paul's mother was a veterans service officer and also served as the state president of the American Legion Auxiliary.

 

Jay Paul has the strongest commitment possible to senior citizens. He serves as president of the Bryan County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program board of directors. A State Capitol veteran, Jay Paul hosted several seniors on a 2001 trip to the seat of government. Here, Jay Paul (at top of stairs) poses with the group and then-state Rep. James H. Dunegan during the seniors' visit.

 

Following the devastating May 3, 1999 tornado, the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce - under Jay Paul's leadership - joined with the American Red Cross to collect food and clothing to send to the victims in Oklahoma City. Here, Jay Paul carries one of dozens of loads of food donated by generous southern Oklahomans to help our neighbors to the north.

 

Deena and Jay Paul at a recent Memorial Day ceremony.

 

Jay Paul was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the 1998 Harlene Taylor Gumm Fourth of July American Legion Baseball Tournament, which is named in honor of his late mother.  That honor was repeated at one of the  Durant American Legion Baseball Team's games in this year's tournament.  Jay Paul's mother worked countless hours to make sure Durant's American Legion Baseball Team continued to give young men an opportunity to play "America's Pastime."  In addition to her work with American Legion Baseball, Harlene was state president of the American Legion Auxiliary; served as a veterans service officer, helping American's veterans get the benefits they earned; and, spent part of each year at Oklahoma Girls State helping to teach high school girls about state government.  Jay Paul counts his mother as one of his strongest influences in entering public service.