Pottawatomie County Commissioner (District 3) Abby Thompson announced today (Nov. 11, 2025) she is running for the Republican nomination in the State Senate. Thompson is running for the District 17 Senate seat currently held by Sen. Shane Jett, who is leaving office due to term limits.

A conservative Republican with a track record of success in the private sector and as an elected official, Thompson vowed to bring common-sense conservative solutions to the State Capitol if elected next year to serve in the State Senate.

"I grew up seeing and believing in the value of public service. My maternal grandfather, Pat McGinnis, served two terms as a Lincoln County Commissioner when I was a child. I saw from an early age how he was always working to better the community and improve the quality of life. It is an honor and joy to follow in his footsteps. Now, I feel led to seek the Senate seat to continue serving my fellow Oklahomans in another role of public service. I believe my background and experience will allow me to be a strong and effective voice for the people of District 17," Thompson said.

"Government has a limited role. It should do only a few things that the private sector cannot do, but it must do those things well," Thompson said. "That's why I have focused my efforts as county commissioner on competent administration of the core functions of government. My goal is to save taxpayer dollars and improve service, not to grow government."

"During my time on the Board of County Commissioners, one of the consistent issues I hear is the need for meaningful relief from property taxes. I believe that home ownership is the foundation of the American Dream. As State Senator, I will work to bring true reform to our Ad Valorem system – supporting a freeze in property taxes for our seniors and examining ways to help families afford their first home."

Thompson said she will work to promote business and economic development, rein in unnecessary regulations, fight for family values, and redirect funds from wasteful government spending to genuine areas of need. "I understand the value of hard work and the importance of community service," she said. "If elected to the state senate, I will work diligently to address the real issues facing Oklahomans every day, like record increases in premiums for homeowners' insurance, the challenges and skyrocketing costs facing rural health care, and the need for every child to have access to a quality K-12 education," Thompson said.

Since being elected County Commissioner in 2022, Thompson has focused her efforts on serving the district's residents, as well as addressing countywide issues. She is currently overseeing three bridge projects and eight miles of asphalt on roads in District 3. To address traffic safety concerns raised by constituents, four-way stops were installed at the intersections of Kings and Hardesty, and Kings and Benson Park.

Thompson and other elected officials collaborated with education, business, and community leaders earlier this year to pass a permanent education tax through a countywide vote of the people, ensuring stable funding for local schools in Pottawatomie County. Economic development and job expansion opportunities have been a priority for Thompson, who intends to continue that focus if elected to the State Senate.

Thompson is president of the Pottawatomie County 911 Addressing Board and serves on the COEDD Board. She successfully completed the Road Scholar Program at Oklahoma State University. The educational certification involves coursework in planning, maintaining, and constructing roads and bridges.

Before seeking public office, Thompson held various positions in banking and bookkeeping. She has lived in Pottawatomie County for the past 15 years. She was recently named one of the Top 25 most influential people in Pottawatomie County.

Born in Stroud, Thompson graduated from Prague High School and earned her college degree in 2017 from the University of Central Oklahoma in Organizational Leadership.

Thompson and her husband, Steven, a Tinker Air Force Base employee, have been married 14 years and have a teenage daughter, Bella. The Thompsons attend Victory Family Church in Shawnee.