OKLAHOMA CITY — The Speaker of the Oklahoma House, Kyle Hilbert, has weighed in on the issue of Rep. John Waldron’s extended absence from legislative duties, stating that it is ultimately up to the voters in House District 77 to hold him accountable at the ballot box.
Waldron, a Democrat from Tulsa, has been absent from the Capitol for over two weeks, missing votes on more than 100 pieces of legislation.
Speaker Hilbert, a Republican from Bristow, addressed the situation on Thursday, suggesting that it was not his place to hold Waldron accountable for missing votes, but rather the voters of Waldron’s district.
“Ultimately, the reason I know that he’s not voting is because you guys (the media) keep talking about it,” Hilbert said. “I really don’t spend a lot of my days thinking about John Waldron, except every Thursday when we talk about it.”
Waldron’s Announcement of Resignation
Waldron announced his resignation from the House on April 16, but stated it would not take effect until October 1, 2026. Legislative records show that April 16 was also the last date Waldron participated in a vote on the House floor.
Despite his announcement, Waldron will continue to collect his salary of $47,500 annually as a state representative until his resignation takes effect.
In addition to stepping down from his House seat, Waldron also suspended his reelection campaign. Waldron’s resignation followed public scrutiny over his involvement in a scandal regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create a GIF of him and a potential election candidate.
Waldron admitted to sending the image to the woman while serving as the chair of Oklahoma’s Democratic Party, leading to his decision to resign from that position in December 2025. However, Waldron chose to continue serving in the state House.
House Speaker Hilbert’s Response
In response to questions about Waldron’s absence, Speaker Hilbert emphasized that the state’s Constitution clearly states that legislators are accountable to their voters. He argued that voters in Waldron’s district should be the ones to decide his fate.
“The Constitution is very clear about how members are elected to this body, and they’re ultimately accountable to the voters and the voters of his district,” Hilbert said. “His name is on the ballot, and they have the chance for accountability this summer when they choose who they want to represent them.”
Hilbert also noted that his office had not received a copy of Waldron’s resignation letter and had not been presented with any official evidence of wrongdoing, reiterating that he had no knowledge of Waldron’s actions until the media reported on them.
Opposition and Concerns
While Hilbert placed the responsibility on voters, House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, expressed frustration with Waldron’s delayed resignation.
She stated that Waldron did not intend to return to the Capitol for the remainder of the legislative session, even though he was still being paid as a representative.
“The House Democratic Caucus had asked Waldron to step down from his House seat and not run for reelection,” Munson explained. “But no one can force him to resign earlier, and it’s the date he proposed.”
Munson also noted that although members of her caucus had raised questions about Waldron’s decision to resign effective October 1, they had no authority to change the date.
She emphasized the importance of Waldron facing his constituents, suggesting that he must answer to them for his actions.
“There are members who have missed for all sorts of reasons, that aren’t here for a period of days, and action hasn’t been taken,” Munson said. “And I don’t know what actions can be taken, but there is a responsibility to your constituents, and I think that he has to answer to them.”
Next Steps and Future Developments
Waldron’s formal resignation will take effect in October, but the political and public fallout from his absence and actions is likely to continue. As of now, Waldron’s district remains represented by him, despite his absence from the Capitol, and his constituents will have to decide whether they will elect him to another term when he is up for reelection.
With the political spotlight on Rep. John Waldron, it remains to be seen how voters in House District 77 will respond to his absence and the controversy surrounding his resignation.
For now, Speaker Hilbert’s position remains that it is up to the voters to hold their elected representative accountable, while other members of the state legislature express concern over the need for greater responsibility to constituents.
