Josh Brecheen, age 31, a fourth generation rancher of Coal County wants to be your State Senator. He is a product and advocate of traditional conservative values. Growing up breaking horses, bailing/hauling hay and working in a family owned John Deere Dealership in Atoka, Oklahoma (Brecheen Equipment) taught Josh the value of hard work. Hours spent working in Brecheen Equipment at the parts counter or servicing John Deere equipment (assembling disc mowers, rakes and brush hogs, etc) contributed to an understanding of agriculture’s vital role in Oklahoma’s economy.
Josh is well known throughout the Senate district (Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston, and Marshall counties) from his six years serving the area as field representative for U. S. Senator Tom Coburn, M. D.. As field representative, Brecheen was Senator Coburn’s “boots on the ground,” working directly with constituents on issues, and evaluating government programs for waste, fraud and abuse. Brecheen states that much of what has been found at the federal level is also present and intertwined with state operations and procedures, with duplication and wasteful practices. Through the knowledge he has gained, he believes he cannot stand by at a time when the state is faced with budget shortfalls, and infringement on state’s rights through federal level intrusions are becoming common practice. He also believes that at a time when citizens are tightening their belts because of the economy, that lawmakers should lead by example by making government efficient as well.
He is also known from his motivational speaking business, Brecheen Keynotes and Seminars (www.joshbrecheen.com), where he provided inspirational presentations to over 100,000 people in more than 600 schools systems, conferences and universities throughout the nation, within a ten year time frame. The presentations for young adults focused on self esteem enhancement, vision casting and integrity (absolute truth, abstinence, restoration from past mistakes, etc.) while the adult presentations covered numerous workplace applicable topics.
Josh, a committed Christian, is married to Kacie Ann Brecheen and has two small step children (Micah and Makayla). Additionally, Josh and Kacie are expecting a baby boy the first week of November.
Josh is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he earned a dual degree in agricultural communications and animal science. Josh attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant until his election as State FFA President in 1998, which necessitated his to move to Stillwater, Oklahoma (to be near to the state Career Tech headquarters). Josh also served the Oklahoma FFA Association as SE District Vice-President in 1997.
Josh also worked for the world’s third largest Christian summer camp, Kanakuk, for three consecutive summers as a counselor and “Dock Daddy” (1999-2001). Josh was also part of the Oklahoma State University NCAA mascot crew that worked with the horse “Bullet” in 2000 and 2001.
In 2000, Josh was employed by Swinford Trailers in Morrison, Oklahoma as a agricultural sales/trade show representative, whereas Josh sold industrial and agricultural implements (tractors, livestock trailers, utility trailers, etc.) for almost two years. Additionally, Josh was simultaneously employed by and traveled the nation on behalf of the National FFA Organization’s Advanced Leadership and Development programs conducting weekend leadership training programs state by state in 2001.
Josh started a performance Quarter Horse training/breeding program over a decade ago and is a two-time qualifier for the National Cutting Horse Association Eastern Championship show. In 2002 Josh began training cutting horses full time (personally owned NCHA futurity prospects) while managing a cutting horse breeding operation under the heading of Zane Brecheen Cutting Horses. A year later Josh was also running the family owned heavy equipment business (infancy stages of ZB Construction). Josh marketed and managed all business accounts (included running a D-7 Caterpillar dozer for a year). During this same time, Josh voluntarily worked as part of the ranch’s non-profit drug and alcohol rehabilitation program (Ranch 180), whereas Josh provided faith-based counseling to participants desiring freedom from addiction. The industrial and ag businesses managed by Josh during this time were used for mentorship purposes outside of the counseling services provided.
Josh plans to focus on job creation, low taxation, and reduction of government waste if elected to the state Senate. He also wants to improve elementary education in rural Oklahoma and provide a voice for agriculture. Building upon the knowledge gained in working with business to enhance economic development across Southeastern Oklahoma, Josh is driven to foster a low tax business environment which will encourage a vibrant private sector while ensuring funding for necessary government services. He will also focus on reduction of government waste, improving elementary education, and providing rural Oklahomans a voice for agriculture.
Josh was endorsed by U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. at an event in Durant, Oklahoma on August 17, 2010. Senator Coburn said, “Josh Brecheen is a man of integrity, honor and energy. As your state center, his focus will not be on building his own career, but on improving the quality of life for the people of Southeast Oklahoma.”
Senate District 6 includes Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston, and Marshall Counties. To find out more about Josh and his campaign, visit his facebook page and follow brecheen4senate on twitter.