Neil Brannon (D-Arkoma) announced last week he plans to run for the Oklahoma Senate District No. 4 in the 2010 election.

He is seeking the state seat currently held by Kenneth Corn of Poteau. Corn has reached his three-term limit and intends to run for lieutenant governor.

At the age of 11 Brannon lost his father in an industrial accident. Their mother, Jewel Dean Brannon, raised him, his sister, and three brothers.

Brannon graduated from Fanhawe High School in 1958. He continued his education at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He also attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, the University of Oklahoma in Norman, and received his principal’s and superintendent’s certificates from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

While serving as superintendent Brannon received the “Outstanding Service Award” by the Oklahoma Schools Advisory Council. He was voted the District Administrator of the Year five times in District No. 18 of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators, and later received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

He also served on the executive committee of the Oklahoma Association of the School Administrators for seven years and on the State Superintendents Council for six years.

Brannon served as the Arkoma School Superintendent for 17 years and at Pocola Schools for five years. He also held administrator positions at Panama and Talihina Schools.

Brannon’s first teaching job was at Fanshawe High School where he taught math and coached girls basketball and softball.

Brannon is married to Gail who was raised in Howe. They have one daughter, Launa Kay Benson. She and her husband, David, live in Poteau. The couple has two granddaughters, Breanna and Briley Benson.

Brannon and his family attend the Community of Christ Church.

Brannon has served as vice-chair of the retirement committee, the education committee, and currently serves as vice-chair of the tax and revenue committee. He also serves on the energy committee and the veteran’s committee.

Brannon said that it would be a great honor for him to serve as senator in District No. 4.