{{short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Ajay Pittman | image = Pittman_Ajay_927098954f.jpg | state_house = Oklahoma | district = 99th | term_start = November 2018 | term_end = January 28, 2026 | predecessor = George E. Young | successor = Vacant | birth_name = Ayshia K. M. Pittman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|09|10}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | mother = Anastasia Pittman | spouse = | children = | education = | signature = }}
'''Ayshia K. M. Pittman''' (born September 10, 1993) is a Seminole-American politician who served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 99th district as a member of the Democratic Party from 2018 to 2026. She was the third Seminole to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature.
==Early life==
Ayshia K. M. Pittman was born on September 10, 1993, to Anastasia Pittman, who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 99th district and in the Oklahoma Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ajay Pittman date of birth and birth name Page 7 |url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/cause-no-2018-13-house-v-pittman.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806205000/http://www.state.ok.us/elections/documents/Cause%20No.%202018-13_House%20v.%20Pittman.pdf |archive-date=August 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name="campaign 2020">{{Cite news |last=Cuccia |first=Annemarie |date=June 15, 2020 |title=Political families face off in OKC's House District 99 |work=NonDoc |url=https://nondoc.com/2020/06/15/political-families-house-district-99/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200806194732/https://nondoc.com/2020/06/15/political-families-house-district-99/ |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref> Pittman is a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and is the great-great-granddaughter of Abner Burnett, who survived the Tulsa race massacre.<ref name="campaign 2020" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dickerson |first1=Brett |title=City senator has painful connection to 1921 Tulsa Race Riot |url=https://freepressokc.com/city-senator-painful-connection-1921-tulsa-race-riot/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |work=Oklahoma City Free Press |date=February 22, 2018}}</ref> Pittman attended the University of Oklahoma and studied at the Oklahoma Policy Institute.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ajay Pittman's Biography |work=Vote Smart |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182092/ajay-pittman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806195820/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182092/ajay-pittman |archive-date=August 6, 2020}}</ref>{{bettersource|date=October 2025}}
==Oklahoma House of Representatives== thumb|right|Ajay Pittman's campaign logo
Pittman filed to run for the 99th district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2018, alongside fellow Democratic candidates Nkem House, Crentha Sequoya Turner, Chris Harrison, and Steve Davis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Candidate Filings |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452653299/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |date=April 15, 2018 |pages=8-10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> House filed contests of candidacy against Pittman and Harrison, with the Oklahoma State Election Board keeping Pittman on the ballot and removing Harrison.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Casteel |first1=Chris |title=GOP Rival Contests Hunter's AG bid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452656574/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |date=April 18, 2018 |pages=1-2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Clay |first1=Nolan |title=Attorney general to remain on ballot after challenge fails |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452662949/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |date=April 24, 2018 |pages=1-2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Pittman later advanced to a runoff alongside House, which she won.<ref name="primary 2018">{{Cite news |url=https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20180626 |title=2018 Oklahoma primary election results |work=Oklahoma State Election Board |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210530185842/https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20180626 |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="runoff 2018">{{Cite news |url=https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20180828 |title=2018 Oklahoma primary runoff election results |work=Oklahoma State Election Board |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210530190516/https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20180828 |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021 }}</ref> She succeeded Representative George E. Young, who had run for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Front and center |work=Oklahoma Gazette |url=https://www.okgazette.com/news/front-and-center-3273005/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2025 }}</ref>
===2020 campaign and second term=== In 2020, Pittman ran for reelection and in the Democratic primary she was challenged by Susan Porter, the daughter of E. Melvin Porter who was the first black member of the Oklahoma Senate.<ref name="campaign 2020"/> Pittman defeated Porter in the Democratic primary.<ref name="primary 2020">{{Cite news |url=https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20200630 |title=2020 Oklahoma primary election results |work=Oklahoma State Election Board |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210530190045/https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20200630 |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021 }}</ref>
In 2020, Pittman was appointed to the Joint Legislative Committee on State and Tribal Relations by Speaker of the House Charles McCall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Pittman appointed to Tribal Relations Committee |work=The Journal Record |url=https://journalrecord.com/2020/05/21/pittman-appointed-to-tribal-relations-committee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200806200444/https://journalrecord.com/2020/05/21/pittman-appointed-to-tribal-relations-committee/ |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref>
During the 2020 presidential election Pittman endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Oklahoma City Rep. Ajay Pittman Endorses Biden |work=KWTV-DT |url=https://www.news9.com/story/5e627c63cd4aa89d1b92f7dd/oklahoma-city-rep-ajay-pittman-endorses-biden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200806200043/https://www.news9.com/story/5e627c63cd4aa89d1b92f7dd/oklahoma-city-rep-ajay-pittman-endorses-biden |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref> In 2020, Pittman was endorsed by EMILY's List.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 26, 2020 |title=EMILY'S LIST ENDORSES AJAY PITTMAN FOR THE OKLAHOMA'S 99TH HOUSE DISTRICT |work=EMILY's List |url=https://www.emilyslist.org/news/entry/emilys-list-endorses-ajay-pittman-for-the-oklahomas-99th-house-district |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200806195731/https://www.emilyslist.org/news/entry/emilys-list-endorses-ajay-pittman-for-the-oklahomas-99th-house-district |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref>
In 2021, legislation which would prohibit governmental entities from mandating vaccination and from inflicting penalties against any person who refuses to vaccinate, including children, was passed through the public health committee by a vote of seven to one, with Pittman being the only vote against.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2021 |title=New bill would prevent a vaccine mandate in the state |work=KOKH-TV |url=https://okcfox.com/news/local/new-bill-would-prevent-a-vaccine-mandate-in-the-state |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210530195512/https://okcfox.com/news/local/new-bill-would-prevent-a-vaccine-mandate-in-the-state |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021 }}</ref> The legislation later passed in the state house by a vote of seventy-one to twenty-five.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 6, 2021 |title=Bill prohibiting vaccine mandate heads to OK Senate floor |work=KJRH-TV |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/bill-prohibiting-vaccine-mandate-heads-to-ok-senate-floor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210530200056/https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/bill-prohibiting-vaccine-mandate-heads-to-ok-senate-floor |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021 }}</ref>
===2024 campaign and campaign finance violations=== In 2024, Pittman ran for reelection and faced a primary challenge from Brittane Grant. In late May the Oklahoma Ethics Commission released a settlement agreement between Pittman and the commission that fined her $17,141 and ordered her to repay $17,858.22 to her campaign for improperly drawing funds from her campaign and inaccurate reporting of contributions. Pittman said the agreement was "regarding a clerical error."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=M. Scott |title=Oklahoma lawmaker to pay $35K in fines, campaign repayments for state campaign violations |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/05/30/ajay-pittman-oklahoma-campaign-violation-settlement-35-thousand/73902039007/ |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=May 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chasanov |first1=David |title=Oklahoma lawmaker settles for $35,000 after campaign violations, blames 'clerical error' |url=https://m.okcfox.com/news/local/oklahoma-lawmaker-settles-for-35000-after-campaign-violations-blames-clerical-error-35-thousand-dollars-2020-2022-ethics-commission-lee-anne-bruce-boone-checking-account-atm-withdrawals-credit-card-payment-fine-personal-funds-ajay-pittman |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=KOKH-TV |date=30 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In June, she filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Grant from the ballot for a 2016 guilty plea for a deferred sentence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ndisabiye |first1=Sasha |title=Legal troubles loom over House District 99 candidates |url=https://nondoc.com/2024/06/13/legal-troubles-loom-over-house-district-99-candidates-ajay-pittman-brittane-grant/ |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=NonDoc |date=13 June 2024}}</ref> Pittman won the primary election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Derksen |first1=Cheyenne |title=State Rep. Ajay Pittman wins Oklahoma House District 99 seat |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/06/18/election-results-rep-ajay-pittman-wins-ok-house-district-99-seat/74144861007/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=June 18, 2024}}</ref>
On October 16, 2025, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission filed a civil suit against Pittman alleging fraud on the same day Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office executed a search warrant on her legislative office and her mother Anastasia Pittman's home.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Paige |title=Oklahoma Ethics Commission files lawsuit against State Rep. Ajay Pittman |url=https://okcfox.com/news/local/oklahoma-ethics-commission-files-lawsuit-against-state-rep-ajay-pittman |access-date=October 18, 2025 |work=KOKH-TV |date=October 17, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Search warrant">{{cite news |last1=Clay |first1=Nolan |title=State Rep. Ajay Pittman suspected of embezzling campaign funds, forgery, court records show |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2025/10/28/oklahoma-ajay-pittman-criminal-investigation-campaign-funds/86947824007/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |date=October 28, 2025}}</ref> The commission's suit alleged Pittman submitted a letter during their investigation she claimed was from her building manager, but was actually written by her mother. The suit also alleged that Pittman submitted a fake $2,500 cashier's check to make a donation from the Osage Nation appear as if she was paying part of her campaign finance fine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clay |first1=Nolan |title=Oklahoma Ethics Commission sues Rep. Ajay Pittman as AG agents search Capitol office |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2025/10/17/rep-ajay-pittman-accused-of-fraud-in-civil-case-as-criminal-investigation-heats-up/86742205007/ |access-date=October 18, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |date=October 17, 2025}}</ref> Speaker of the Oklahoma House Kyle Hilbert removed her from the state's tribal relations committee due to the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoberock |first1=Barbara |title=Ethics Commission lawsuit targets Oklahoma City lawmaker |url=https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/10/17/ethics-commission-lawsuit-targets-oklahoma-city-lawmaker/ |access-date=October 18, 2025 |work=Oklahoma Voice |date=October 17, 2025}}</ref> A week later she was suspended from the rest of her committee assignments and the House Democratic Caucus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clay |first1=Nolan |title=Rep. Ajay Pittman stripped of committee assignments, suspended from Democratic caucus |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/24/a-state-lawmaker-under-criminal-investigation-kicked-off-house-rep-ajay-pittman-removed-from-house-c/86882698007/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |date=October 24, 2025}}</ref>
On October 28, 2025, a returned search warrant confirmed Oklahoma Attorney General Drummond's office had launched a criminal investigation into Pittman for embezzlement, fraud, and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.<ref name="Search warrant" /> On January 28, 2026, she resigned her legislative office, entered a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, and plead guilty to conspiring to commit a felony, forgery in the second degree, and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. She received a seven year deferred sentence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Tres |title=Drummond charges Rep. Ajay Pittman, longtime legislative aide with forgery |url=https://nondoc.com/2026/01/28/drummond-charges-rep-ajay-pittman-longtime-legislative-aide-with-forgery/ |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=NonDoc |date=January 28, 2026}}</ref>
==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin no change|title = 2018 Oklahoma House of Representatives 99th district Democratic primary<ref name="primary 2018" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Ajay Pittman |votes = 2,194 |percentage = 38.13% }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Nkem House |votes = 1,848 |percentage = 32.12% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Davis |votes = 1,005 |percentage = 17.47% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Crentha Sequoya Turner |votes = 707 |percentage = 12.29% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 5,754 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 2018 Oklahoma House of Representatives 99th district Democratic runoff primary<ref name="runoff 2018" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Ajay Pittman |votes = 1,481 |percentage = 51.91% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Nkem House |votes = 1,372 |percentage = 48.09% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 2,853 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 2020 Oklahoma House of Representatives 99th district Democratic primary<ref name="primary 2020" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Ajay Pittman (incumbent) |votes = 2,837 |percentage = 51.95% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Susan Porter |votes = 2,624 |percentage = 48.05% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 5,461 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 2024 Oklahoma House of Representatives 99th district Democratic primary<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.okelections.gov/OKER/?elecDate=20240618|title=June 18 2024 Official Results|website=Oklahoma State Election Board|accessdate=2 April 2025}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Ajay Pittman (incumbent) |votes = 1,322 |percentage = 53.54% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Brittane Grant |votes = 1,147 |percentage = 46.46% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 2,469 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|1=https://archive.today/20200806193603/https://www.okhouse.gov/members/District.aspx?District=99|2=Ajay Pittman's official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20200421010123/https://www.ajaypittman.com/ Ajay Pittman's campaign website]
{{Authority control}} {{Wikiquote}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pittman, Ajay}} Category:1993 births Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:21st-century African-American women politicians Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:21st-century Native American politicians Category:21st-century Native American women Category:African-American state legislators in Oklahoma Category:Black Seminole people Category:Living people Category:Democratic Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Category:21st-century members of the Oklahoma Legislature Category:Native American women in politics Category:Seminole Nation of Oklahoma state legislators in Oklahoma Category:Women state legislators in Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma politicians convicted of crimes