OKLAHOMA CITY– The state representative who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic abuse and assault charges resigned his office last week after the chair of the state Republican Party and Gov. Kevin Stitt both called on him to step down.
State Rep. Ty Burns, R-Morrison, announced his resignation just two days after he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors for domestic abuse and assault in Pawnee County District Court. His resignation will be effective Oct. 1. Burns has held his seat in the House of Representatives since 2018.
Burns voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Pawnee County.
Pawnee County District Judge Patrick Pickerill handed down a one-year suspended sentence to run concurrently for each count. Under terms of the sentence, Burns will have to complete a Batterers Intervention Program but will serve no jail time.
Burns’ plea agreement was announced by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond last Thursday.
In his resignation letter, Burns said he took full responsibility for his actions and recognized the fact that he needs treatment.
“I am receiving intensive treatment for issues from my military service that I have long ignored as a problem,” Burns wrote. “I am confident this will make me a better husband and father. Over the next month, I will finish taking care of the remainder of my constituents’ issues and will ensure my interim study on PTSD proceeds, where I am personally participating in a brain mapping study of veterans with a traumatic brain injury.”
Democrat and Republican lawmakers alike called for Burns to resign. Late last week, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said he supported Burns’ decision to resign.
“I have talked to Representative Burns and many of the members of the House of Representatives over the past 48 hours,” Hilbert wrote in a media statement. “I share his belief that it is best for him and his family to focus on his treatment and rehabilitation at this time. Domestic violence of any kind cannot and will not be tolerated by the House of Representatives. Alexis and I will be praying for Ty and his family as they navigate this challenging time.”
Court records indicate that, in late April, Burns got into an argument with his teenage daughter, his wife and his wife’s former mother-in-law. Documents say that Burns cursed his wife and threatened the motherin- law as she prepared to drive away with Burns’ daughter. Burns physically shook the van they were in and then chased it in his truck, eventually running them off the road around 11 p.m.
In addition, Burns’ wife reported an incident from Thanksgiving 2024. She said Burns gouged her eye during an argument. The injury caused her to miss work.
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said she and members of her caucus were “shocked and horrified” about the case.
“House Democrats stand with all victims and survivors of domestic violence, and we believe all victims and survivors of abuse deserve the utmost justice,” Munson said. “There is never an excuse for this kind of behavior or conduct and Oklahomans deserve to know that those in power are held to the same standard of accountability as everyone else.”
Oklahoma Republican Party Chair Charity Linch called for Burns’ resignation on Friday.
“The Republican Party holds itself to high standards of integrity and accountability,” Linch‘s statement said. “The ‘good old boy’ system concealing nefarious behavior should no longer be tolerated in Oklahoma. Domestic abuse is a serious matter that violates our core values. It should serve as a clear boundary for our party. We show our commitment to protecting the women and children of Oklahoma by demanding the resignation of Ty Burns immediately. His leadership in this capacity no longer represents Oklahoma Republican values.”
Drummond said he stood by the plea agreement.
“As attorney general, I uphold and enforce the law without fear or favor. If you do not like the fact that Rep. Burns was ‘only’ charged with a misdemeanor, then petition your legislator and the governor to change the law,” Drummond wrote in a social media post.
“There was no legitimate justification for a felony charge in this case under current Oklahoma law. As I said in my statement announcing his conviction, this is a very serious offense. The conviction means that any further incidents are eligible for felony charges. Rep. Burns has taken responsibility for his actions and has received the strongest punishment possible for a first-time offender with a clean record. The question of whether he should resign is a matter I will leave to his family, his constituents, and his colleagues in the Legislature.”