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Kelly Forbes

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Lieutenant Governor

2026 Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor — General Election Field · November 3, 2026

Published evidence-backed profile

This candidacy comes from Oklahoma’s exact official 2026 filing and certified June primary records. Withdrawals, substitutions, litigation, runoff certification where applicable, and the final November ballot remain monitored.

Last reviewed September 23, 2026

Overview

Current race
2026 Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor — General Election Field on November 3, 2026
VerifiedSource: Oklahoma State Election Board
Official candidacy
Lieutenant Governor · Democratic · Candidate
VerifiedOfficial records: Oklahoma State Election Board
Identity match
Identity verified in official records
VerifiedSource: Oklahoma State Election Board

Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.

View exact official filing textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Oklahoma State Election Board — Candidates for Elective Office 2026

Candidate filing number: 00454

Ballot name: Kelly Forbes

Office: Lieutenant Governor

Party: Democratic

Current placement status: OFFICIAL_OKLAHOMA_UNOPPOSED_PARTY_NOMINEE

Experience

Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.

Candidate biography

Source-published biography

Dr. Kelly Forbes is a lifelong Oklahoman, raised in Skiatook and Broken Arrow. He now lives in Oklahoma City with his partner, Dr. Chris Culver. His roots in service run deep, both his parents and grandparents served in the Army, with his “Papa” dedicating 44 years to the Oklahoma National Guard. As a child, Kelly lived across the street from his grandparents’ cattle feed store in Skiatook. He watched his Papa and Keke build a small business, Kelly B’s Plastics, from the ground up. His grandparents, who helped raise him, instilled in him the Oklahoma values that continue to guide him today: hard work, strong community, and lending a hand to those in need. Their sacrifice and determination paved the way for Kelly to become the first in his family to graduate from college. He earned his degree in Spanish from Oklahoma City University, then a Master’s in Bilingual Education and Administrative Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma. He continued his education with a Doctorate in Administration and Leadership from Southern Nazarene University.

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Dr. Kelly Forbes is a lifelong Oklahoman, raised in Skiatook and Broken Arrow. He now lives in Oklahoma City with his partner, Dr. Chris Culver. His roots in service run deep, both his parents and grandparents served in the Army, with his “Papa” dedicating 44 years to the Oklahoma National Guard. As a child, Kelly lived across the street from his grandparents’ cattle feed store in Skiatook. He watched his Papa and Keke build a small business, Kelly B’s Plastics, from the ground up. His grandparents, who helped raise him, instilled in him the Oklahoma values that continue to guide him today: hard work, strong community, and lending a hand to those in need. Their sacrifice and determination paved the way for Kelly to become the first in his family to graduate from college. He earned his degree in Spanish from Oklahoma City University, then a Master’s in Bilingual Education and Administrative Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma. He continued his education with a Doctorate in Administration and Leadership from Southern Nazarene University.

Candidate statement

Candidate-stated

Kelly and his partner Chris are actively involved in their local communities volunteering at events, supporting charities, and mentoring new business owners. Kelly has also served on several boards including service as the former president of the Oklahoma Association for Bilingual Education. He currently serves on the board of directors of Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center, where he helps survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

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Kelly and his partner Chris are actively involved in their local communities volunteering at events, supporting charities, and mentoring new business owners. Kelly has also served on several boards including service as the former president of the Oklahoma Association for Bilingual Education. He currently serves on the board of directors of Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center, where he helps survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Positions and priorities

A position shows what the candidate said—not FactVote's endorsement.

Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.

Tribal relations and sovereignty

Candidate position

A strong economy is the backbone of thriving communities. Oklahomans deserve good jobs, fair wages, and the opportunity to build a secure future. As Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Forbes will invest in small businesses, strengthen Career-Tech, work with Oklahoma’s Native Nations, and expand workforce training. He will also address the need for affordable housing and food insecurity to ensure prosperity reaches every corner of our state.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

A strong economy is the backbone of thriving communities. Oklahomans deserve good jobs, fair wages, and the opportunity to build a secure future. As Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Forbes will invest in small businesses, strengthen Career-Tech, work with Oklahoma’s Native Nations, and expand workforce training. He will also address the need for affordable housing and food insecurity to ensure prosperity reaches every corner of our state.

Education, child care, and workforce training

Candidate position

Public education is the heartbeat of our communities. Currently ranked 50th in the nation for education, Oklahoma continues to lose opportunities because leaders ignore our underfunded schools. Dr. Kelly Forbes will act to build a strong, well-funded public education system that respects our teachers and staff, supports our students, and keeps public dollars in public schools - ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

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Public education is the heartbeat of our communities. Currently ranked 50th in the nation for education, Oklahoma continues to lose opportunities because leaders ignore our underfunded schools. Dr. Kelly Forbes will act to build a strong, well-funded public education system that respects our teachers and staff, supports our students, and keeps public dollars in public schools - ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Health care

Candidate position

Oklahomans face barriers getting the healthcare they need. Rural and smaller clinics often struggle to hire and retain qualified staff. As Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Forbes will build strong partnerships to expand access, incentivize healthcare professionals working in underserved areas, and ensure culturally responsive care. By using technology and working with local providers we can close gaps, lower costs, and ensure every Oklahoman can access quality care.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Oklahomans face barriers getting the healthcare they need. Rural and smaller clinics often struggle to hire and retain qualified staff. As Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Forbes will build strong partnerships to expand access, incentivize healthcare professionals working in underserved areas, and ensure culturally responsive care. By using technology and working with local providers we can close gaps, lower costs, and ensure every Oklahoman can access quality care.

FIGHT CORRUPTION & HOLD OKLAHOMA’S GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE

Candidate position

The government should work for the people, not behind closed doors. Oklahomans deserve leaders who are transparent, accountable, and dedicated to building a government that works for everyone. Dr. Forbes is not a career politician, he is committed to leading with integrity and restoring trust in our state government.

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The government should work for the people, not behind closed doors. Oklahomans deserve leaders who are transparent, accountable, and dedicated to building a government that works for everyone. Dr. Forbes is not a career politician, he is committed to leading with integrity and restoring trust in our state government.

PROMOTE TOURISM TO OUR GREAT STATE

Candidate position

Tourism, Oklahoma's 3rd largest Industry is a vital driver of our economy. With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the upcoming 2028 Olympic events, the world will turn its attention to Oklahoma as we celebrate the state’s natural beauty, historical significance, and diverse cultures. Dr. Forbes is ready to promote Oklahoma, inviting people from all over the world to experience all that our great state has to offer.

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Tourism, Oklahoma's 3rd largest Industry is a vital driver of our economy. With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the upcoming 2028 Olympic events, the world will turn its attention to Oklahoma as we celebrate the state’s natural beauty, historical significance, and diverse cultures. Dr. Forbes is ready to promote Oklahoma, inviting people from all over the world to experience all that our great state has to offer.

Candidate statement

Candidate position

Dr. Kelly Forbes has the vision and experience to move Oklahoma forward. His background in education, public service, and community engagement has shaped his commitment to building bridges, not barriers. By focusing on collaboration and collective impact, he will create lasting change, ensuring every voice is heard and represented with every decision made in the best interests of Oklahomans. As Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Kelly Forbes will restore trust in state government by leading with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Read exact supporting textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Kelly Forbes has the vision and experience to move Oklahoma forward. His background in education, public service, and community engagement has shaped his commitment to building bridges, not barriers. By focusing on collaboration and collective impact, he will create lasting change, ensuring every voice is heard and represented with every decision made in the best interests of Oklahomans. As Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Kelly Forbes will restore trust in state government by leading with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION

Candidate position

INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION

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INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION

EXPAND ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE

Candidate position

EXPAND ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE

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EXPAND ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE

Invest in Oklahoma Small Businesses

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Invest state economic-development resources in Oklahoma small businesses.

  • Preserve the explicit investment mechanism and beneficiary group.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Strengthen CareerTech

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Strengthen Oklahoma's CareerTech system as part of workforce and economic development.

  • Preserve the named institution and objective.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Work With Oklahoma Native Nations

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Build state economic-development partnerships with Oklahoma's Native Nations.

  • Preserve the explicit partnership mechanism.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Expand Workforce Training

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Expand workforce-training opportunities for Oklahoma residents.

  • Preserve the explicit workforce mechanism.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Address Affordable-Housing Needs

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Expand the availability of affordable housing across Oklahoma.

  • Preserve the affordability objective without inventing a subsidy.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Address Food Insecurity

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Reduce food insecurity across Oklahoma.

  • Preserve the outcome-level commitment.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Build a Strong, Well-Funded Public-Education System

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Increase and protect funding for Oklahoma public schools.

  • Preserve the public-school funding direction.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Respect and Support Teachers and School Staff

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Support and retain Oklahoma teachers and school staff.

  • Preserve the education-workforce objective without inventing compensation levels.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Keep public education funds within the public-school system.

  • Preserve the explicit funding restriction.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Build Partnerships to Expand Health-Care Access

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Build partnerships with local providers to expand health-care access, including in rural and smaller communities.

  • Preserve the partnership mechanism and geographic focus.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Incentivize Health Professionals to Serve Underserved Areas

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Create incentives for health-care professionals to work in underserved areas.

  • Preserve the explicit workforce-incentive mechanism without inventing amounts.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Expand Culturally Responsive Health Care

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Expand access to culturally responsive health care.

  • Preserve the candidate's care-standard objective.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Use Technology to Close Health-Care Access Gaps

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Use health-care technology, together with local providers, to close access gaps and lower costs.

  • Preserve the technology and partnership mechanisms.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Promote Oklahoma Tourism

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Promote Oklahoma's natural, historical, and cultural attractions to expand tourism.

  • Preserve the promotional objective and three attraction categories.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Lead State Government Transparently

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Belief

Administer state government with transparency and integrity.

  • Preserve the candidate's administrative principles.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Restore Trust Through Accountable Government

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Increase government accountability and restore public trust in Oklahoma state government.

  • Preserve the broad institutional objective.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Kelly Forbes campaign

Public record

Executive public-record methodology

Executive public-record methodology

An executive record will attach only from official orders, directives, vetoes, signed actions, legal filings, or direct official statements that explicitly attribute the action to this person. Agency outcomes and events during an administration are not inferred as personal actions.

Campaign finance

Official filings may be amended after publication.

Exact active 2026 Oklahoma Ethics Commission candidate record for KELLY FORBES (candidate ID 11876).

View official filing history16 retained filing rows
  • 2026 PRE-RUNOFF REPORT · 06/02/2026 · 08/10/2026 · 08/17/2026 · 08/17/2026 · No · Filed
  • 2026 PRE-PRIMARY REPORT · 04/01/2026 · 06/01/2026 · 06/08/2026 · 06/04/2026 · Yes · Filed
  • 2026 1ST QUARTER REPORT · 01/01/2026 · 03/31/2026 · 04/30/2026 · 04/22/2026 · Yes · Filed
  • 2025 4TH QUARTER REPORT · 10/01/2025 · 12/31/2025 · 01/31/2026 · 01/27/2026 · No · Filed
  • 2025 3RD QUARTER REPORT · 07/01/2025 · 09/30/2025 · 01/30/2026 · 01/27/2026 · No · Filed
  • Candidate Committee Registration · 08/05/2025 · Yes · Filed
  • 2026 PRE-GENERAL REPORT · 08/11/2026 · 10/19/2026 · 10/26/2026 · Not Filed
  • 2026 POST-GENERAL REPORT · 10/20/2026 · 12/31/2026 · 01/31/2027 · Not Filed
  • 2027 1ST QUARTER REPORT · 01/01/2027 · 03/31/2027 · 04/30/2027 · Not Filed
  • 2027 2ND QUARTER REPORT · 04/01/2027 · 06/30/2027 · 07/31/2027 · Not Filed
  • 2027 3RD QUARTER REPORT · 07/01/2027 · 09/30/2027 · 10/31/2027 · Not Filed
  • 2027 4TH QUARTER REPORT · 10/01/2027 · 12/31/2027 · 01/31/2028 · Not Filed
  • 2028 1ST QUARTER REPORT · 01/01/2028 · 03/31/2028 · 04/30/2028 · Not Filed
  • 2028 2ND QUARTER REPORT · 04/01/2028 · 06/30/2028 · 07/31/2028 · Not Filed
  • 2028 3RD QUARTER REPORT · 07/01/2028 · 09/30/2028 · 07/31/2028 · Not Filed
  • 2028 4TH QUARTER REPORT · 10/01/2028 · 12/31/2028 · 01/31/2029 · Not Filed

The exact active committee and official filing history are verified. Aggregate totals are not attached because the stable candidate-detail page does not publish them; missing totals are not zero.

Read exact Oklahoma campaign-finance identity and filing textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Name: KELLY FORBES

Candidate ID: 11876

Candidate Status: Active

Campaign Status: Active

Office: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Party Affiliation: DEMOCRATIC

2026 NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION — 2026 ELECTION CYCLE — Active

2026 PRE-RUNOFF REPORT · 06/02/2026 · 08/10/2026 · 08/17/2026 · 08/17/2026 · No · Filed

2026 PRE-PRIMARY REPORT · 04/01/2026 · 06/01/2026 · 06/08/2026 · 06/04/2026 · Yes · Filed

2026 1ST QUARTER REPORT · 01/01/2026 · 03/31/2026 · 04/30/2026 · 04/22/2026 · Yes · Filed

2025 4TH QUARTER REPORT · 10/01/2025 · 12/31/2025 · 01/31/2026 · 01/27/2026 · No · Filed

2025 3RD QUARTER REPORT · 07/01/2025 · 09/30/2025 · 01/30/2026 · 01/27/2026 · No · Filed

Candidate Committee Registration · 08/05/2025 · Yes · Filed

2026 PRE-GENERAL REPORT · 08/11/2026 · 10/19/2026 · 10/26/2026 · Not Filed

2026 POST-GENERAL REPORT · 10/20/2026 · 12/31/2026 · 01/31/2027 · Not Filed

2027 1ST QUARTER REPORT · 01/01/2027 · 03/31/2027 · 04/30/2027 · Not Filed

2027 2ND QUARTER REPORT · 04/01/2027 · 06/30/2027 · 07/31/2027 · Not Filed

2027 3RD QUARTER REPORT · 07/01/2027 · 09/30/2027 · 10/31/2027 · Not Filed

2027 4TH QUARTER REPORT · 10/01/2027 · 12/31/2027 · 01/31/2028 · Not Filed

2028 1ST QUARTER REPORT · 01/01/2028 · 03/31/2028 · 04/30/2028 · Not Filed

2028 2ND QUARTER REPORT · 04/01/2028 · 06/30/2028 · 07/31/2028 · Not Filed

2028 3RD QUARTER REPORT · 07/01/2028 · 09/30/2028 · 07/31/2028 · Not Filed

2028 4TH QUARTER REPORT · 10/01/2028 · 12/31/2028 · 01/31/2029 · Not Filed

Open Oklahoma Ethics Commission Guardian record ↗

Research boundary

Claims that did not clear the publication standard remain visibly excluded.

Complete public-action archive

Not published

Reason: NO_STABLE_ELIGIBLE_PUBLIC_RECORD_IDENTITY_ATTACHED

Names and candidate-stated prior service alone never attach another person's records.

Sources

Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.

  1. Election record

    2026 Oklahoma election record — Kelly Forbes

    Oklahoma State Election Board

    Open Oklahoma State Election Board
  2. Candidate-owned primary source

    Kelly Forbes — candidate-owned primary source

    Kelly Forbes campaign

    Open Kelly Forbes campaign
  3. Campaign-finance record

    Kelly Forbes — Oklahoma Ethics Commission candidate record

    Oklahoma Ethics Commission

    Open Oklahoma Ethics Commission
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