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Under fire for AI image, John Waldron to resign from House seat
By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, raises his hand as he is sworn into office Nov. 20, 2024, in the House chamber of the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (PHOTO by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state representative under scrutiny for sending an inappropriate AI-generated image to a woman will resign Oct. 1 from the state House.
Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, submitted a resignation letter Thursday to the Governor’s Office, which shared the document with Oklahoma Voice.
He told Gov. Kevin Stitt to consider his resignation letter an “irrevocable affidavit” certifying Waldron won’t accept another term in his House seat even if reelected this year. He asked the governor to call a special election, if necessary, to allow House District 77 to elect another candidate.
Waldron ended his reelection campaign this week and resigned in December as chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
He told Oklahoma Voice on Thursday he had no further comment.
Where to Invest $100,000 Right Now, According to Experts
Investors face a dilemma. The S&P, teetering on all time highs, just posted its worst quarter since 2022. Oil was up 94% this year, briefly. And Moody's now puts U.S. recession odds at 48.6%.
Bloomberg asked where experts would personally invest $100,000 for their latest monthly edition.
One answer that surfaced yet again? Art.
It's what billionaires like Bezos and the Rockefellers have privately used to diversify for decades.
Why?
Appreciation. The ArtPrice100 Index outpaced the S&P 500 overall from 2000 to 2025
Low-correlation. The postwar contemporary segment has moved independently of traditional investments like stocks since ‘95.*
Resilience. A scarce, physical, and global asset class with decades of demonstrated demand.
Thanks to the world's premier art investing platform, now anyone can invest in works featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, without needing millions.
Shares in new offerings can sell quickly but...
*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:
• Gov. Kevin Stitt signs $12.8 billion Oklahoma budget bill (KOSU)
• Namesake of landmark McGirt ruling sent back to prison for probation violations (NonDoc)
• Prediction markets take a surprising turn from polls for Oklahoma governor's race (The Oklahoman)*
• Oklahoma voters challenge effort to eliminate property taxes, say it would have ‘devastating effect’ (Oklahoma Voice)
• Long underfunded, Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System nears full solvency (Tulsa World)*
• Cherokee chief won’t be allowed to speak on Oklahoma House floor again, chamber leader says (Oklahoma Voice)
• Adam Pugh to stay on state superintendent ballot, Oklahoma election board decides (Oklahoma Voice)
• Oklahoma lawmakers advance bill to prevent higher electricity rates from data centers (StateImpact Oklahoma)
• Oklahoma County Clerk Maressa Treat apologizes for $14 million budget error (KOCO)
• Oklahoma’s landlord-tenant act has seldom changed in its nearly 50-year history (Oklahoma Watch)
• E’Lena Ashley’s legal battle against Tulsa Public Schools moves to state Supreme Court (Tulsa Flyer)
• Two families mourn best friends killed in Lake Overholser Crash, call for safety changes (News 9)
• Tornadoes that struck south of Tulsa Hills and in Muskogee County rated as EF-1s (Tulsa World)*
• OU football player Owen Heinecke granted another year of eligibility after court hearing (OU Daily)
New OKC hangout drops next week — and you can check it out first
The Boardwalk at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark
A new outdoor entertainment spot next to a fun indoor water park is about to make its debut in Oklahoma City — and you can get an early look.
The Boardwalk at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is hosting an open house on Thursday, April 23, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., giving people a chance to see the space before it fully ramps up.
No room booking required — this is built to be a go-to hangout.
Click here to read about what’s in store for this fun-filled evening!
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Oklahoma Memo
A daily briefing connecting Oklahomans to the state’s best journalism — and original content from Oklahoma Memo. Got a news tip? Somebody I need to interview? Message me at [email protected].
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