Joshua Kelly West is an American politician, and military veteran who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2017, representing the 5th district. He was re-elected by default in 2020.
Early life
West was born on September 19, 1976, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, he was raised in Grove, Oklahoma. In 1995, West graduated from Grove High School. He then attended Missouri Valley College on a football scholarship. ==Military service==
Military service
In 1996, West began training for the US Army. During the fighting, West was shot in both legs and in his abdomen. He spent the next year in therapy trying to regain the use of his legs. In 2005, he was medically retired from the US Army after 9 years of service. ==Oklahoma House of Representatives==
Oklahoma House of Representatives
2016 Primary When incumbent Doug Cox did not seek re-election due to being term-limited, West was one of three candidates to run in the Republican Party primary. West was victorious with 60.7 percent of the vote. {{Election box winning candidate with party link {{Election box candidate {{Election box candidate 2016 Election West defeated Matt Nowlin in the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 5 general election. {{Election box winning candidate with party link {{Election box candidate with party link 56th Oklahoma Legislature (2017-2019) During the 56th legislature, West served on the following committees: • Agriculture & Rural Development • Children, Youth & Family Services • Veterans and Military Affairs, Vice chair 2018 Primary West was challenged by Josh Russell, Tonya Rudick and Elizabeth Boney. Nevertheless, West won with 56.5 percent of the vote. {{Election box winning candidate with party link {{election box candidate {{election box candidate {{election box candidate 2018 Election West defeated challenger Ed Trumbull with 68.2 percent of the vote. {{Election box winning candidate with party link {{Election box candidate 57th Oklahoma Legislature (2019-present) During the 57th legislature, West served on the following committees: • Appropriations and Budget Committee • Rules Committee • Tourism Committee ==Political positions==