12:10 to the Top: Scott Chance, Field Representative U.S. Rep. Tom Cole's Office

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  • 12:10 to the Top: Scott Chance
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Joining Congressman Tom Cole’s Lawton office in January 2019, Scott Chance, field representative and campaign manager for the congressman, began working with the community “to get feedback on issues important to southwest Oklahoma and let constituents know what’s going on in Washington, D.C.,” he said.

Over the past 16 months, Chance “has really gotten to know the community” as he listens to the concerns of citizens living in Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District. “When it comes to working with Oklahomans, it doesn’t matter which political party or whether you live in a big city or not, we’re going to make sure we take care of you,” he said.

Working on behalf of the constituents, field representatives connect with industry and community leaders, educators and various community services to lend support, help residents resolve issues with government entities and act as the “eyes and ears for the congressman,” said Chance.

“We meet with farmers and ranchers, local hospitals and their boards as well as public schools; we try to help them navigate through the bureaucracy,” he said.

In the office, Congressman Cole’s staff helps citizens resolve other governmental issues. “Whether it’s Social Security, Veterans Administration, or an issue with the Small Business Administration through some of the loan programs, our office is available and able to help,” he said.

Field representatives communicate directly with the congressman’s staff in Washington, D.C. and facilitate meetings and town halls in the district, Chance explained.

“Congressman Cole has such an intensive schedule working for his constituents in D.C. and can’t always spend enough time back in District,” said Chance. “So, it’s vital to let him and our legislative team know what the issues are back home.”

Growing up in “a pretty apolitical family” in Choctaw, after high school, Chance earned an Associate’s of Science in Public Administration and Social Service Professions from Oklahoma State University in 2012.

While at OSU, he was active in Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, Student Government, the George and Donna Nigh Leadership Academy, and Alumni Development.

Transferring to the University of Central Oklahoma, between 2012 and 2013, Chance earned his Bachelor’s in Public Administration and was also voted in as O.I.L.’s 42nd Governor. He also served as the president of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature Foundation from 2013-2015.

His involvement with the O.I.L. and its foundation “opened the doors,” he said.

In 2014, Chance was selected to manage state Insurance Commissioner John Doak’s reelection campaign. “And that was how I got ‘the political bug,” he said.

Two years later, he worked for the Carly 4 America SuperPAC, endorsing the Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina before suspending her campaign after New Hampshire.

“I went to Iowa for part of the Caucus for about two weeks, working in eastern Iowa for the Super- PAC, before I joined Congressman Cole’s campaign as deputy campaign manager later that spring,” said Chance. He also worked on a couple of smaller races before being asked to be Congressman Cole’s deputy campaign manager in 2016. Congressman Cole has held the office since 2003, representing Oklaho- ma’s 4th Congressional District, home to approximately 710,000 Oklahomans reaching from Choc- taw to the Oklahoma/Texas border south of Thackerville and east of Ada to west of Frederick.

In 2017-2018, Chance managed Matt Pinnell’s campaign for Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor. He then got the call to join Congressman Cole’s official district staff at our district office. In early 2019, he moved to Lawton.

In addition to his duties as field representative, Chance is currently managing Congressman Cole’s reelection campaign this season.

“We look forward to another successful campaign, “he stated. “Congressman Cole certainly has a strong record to run on.”

When Cole was the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, he knew we were going to face some epidemics and pandemics in the future, said Chance.

“About three years ago, [Congressman Cole] pushed through the Infections Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund... and added that program to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting us ready for a potential worldwide pandemic. At that time, we had just gone through Zika and H1N1 as well as some smaller things that hadn’t taken the world by storm as much as COVID-19 has,” Chance said.

“We’re very proud of his record and adding billions of dollars the National Institute of Health, as well as making sure our military is prepared. Our military has played a strong role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Congressman Cole has always worked side by side with Senator Jim Inhofe to increase the missions there at Tinker Air Force Base and at Fort Sill. It’s been amazing the amount of money that is now there for the modernization of the military, specifically with the two Cross Functional Teams at Fort Sill.”

“Oklahoma is in a strong position to continue to grow. Its military missions make Oklahoma a better state for our military families because of the position that both Senator Inhofe and Congressman Cole are in.”

“It’s been a great campaign. We look forward to earning everyone’s vote throughout the next couple months and seeing the results on June 30.”

“It’s an absolute privilege to serve the people of southwest Oklahoma” said Chance. “I’ve come to know so many people in all the communities I cover, and truly, some of the best people I’ve met in my life are right here.”