OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, congratulated Valliant Elementary School fifth grader Katelyn Talley on being elected Oklahoma’s 2026 Kid Governor, a statewide honor through the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s youth leadership program.
“Katelyn demonstrated a strong desire to make a difference for others,” Dempsey said. “She represented her principles with confidence, and all of Valliant is proud to see her chosen as Kid Governor. I look forward to seeing how she will make an impact on our state in her new role.”
More than 1,100 students from 37 classrooms across Oklahoma participated in this year’s Kid Governor election, which is part of a national civics education effort led by the Connecticut Democracy Center. The program engages fifth graders in a real election by teaching them about state government, leadership and the voting process.
Talley first won her classroom election at Valliant Elementary before advancing to the statewide race. Her platform focused on preventing animal abuse. After all statewide candidates submitted two-minute campaign videos, former Oklahoma governors David Walters, Frank Keating, Brad Henry and Mary Fallin joined OICA board members to help narrow the field before students cast their final ballots on Election Day. Talley secured the most votes and will serve a one-year term working with OICA to promote her platform and engage with students across the state.
Dempsey attended a local celebration at Valliant Elementary and presented Talley with a formal citation from the Oklahoma House of Representatives and a challenge coin to mark the occasion.
“I am proud of the way Katelyn and all of the students embraced the election process,” Dempsey said. “Their hard work showed a real understanding of how government works and what it means to lead with purpose. Her commitment to protecting animals and standing up for what matters to students her age is inspiring. She earned this recognition through hard work and thoughtful advocacy.”
OICA guides classrooms through the Kid Governor program using free lesson plans that teach students about state government, the voting process and civic participation. The organization funds the program through donations and fundraising efforts supported by Oklahoma’s former governors.
The Kid Governor, Junior Governor and their respective cabinets will be inaugurated at the State Capitol on Feb. 2, 2026, the opening day of the Oklahoma Legislature’s session.