Five J. Rufus Fears Fellows have been elected to public office. These bright young leaders are bringing strong conservative leadership to their communities. This is just the beginning of how the J. Rufus Fears Fellowship will impact our state over the next few years. 

Fears Fellows are 16 to 35 years old when they participate in the program. The fellowship has been functioning since 2020. So, the vast majority of alumni are in their 20s and 30s. Having five of them elected to public office is a strong testimonial to the leaders they are becoming.

Tommie Johnson III, Oklahoma County Sheriff

Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III was in the first Fears Fellowship cohort. At the time, he was a police officer in Norman. His leadership skills were obvious. He had been named a Master Police Officer and received a Centennial Award. Clearly, he had a heart for public service. 

Johnson discovered his interest in politics while listening to friends and family talk about old solutions that never seemed to work. He was encouraged by a mentor to participate in the Fears Fellowship. 

In the Fears Fellowship, he discovered the inspiration to run for office and the principles to govern. He expressed it this way.

What I learned through the Fears Fellowship was instrumental in my decision to run, and continues to influence my leadership. The class taught me the conservative principles that I needed to be successful as Sheriff. J. Rufus Fears was nothing short of brilliant! His recorded lectures walked the class through how politics work, from the founding documents to the systems that are in place today. At 29 years old, I was the oldest in my class, and I think that gave me several advantages. By then, I was already out of college and had kids, so I saw firsthand the impact legislation had on my home, my children, and my bank account.

Several Fears Fellows were involved in his 2020 campaign, and they remain active in his political activities. Johnson is a frequent speaker to Fears Fellowship cohorts, and he directs other young leaders to the program. 

Being sheriff is about providing leadership and making a difference. “I chose to run for sheriff because I love law enforcement and am passionate about making a difference in my community,” he said. “I wanted to provide better leadership at the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and believed my ideas could move the agency forward in the right direction.”

Johnson recently hosted the National Sheriffs Association’s annual conference in Oklahoma City. His leadership extends beyond Oklahoma County to the entire country.

Barbara Peck, Oklahoma City Council

The second Fears Fellowship was held in Ardmore in the summer of 2020. Barbara Peck had previously worked closely with her local city councilor in far southwest Oklahoma City. Councilman Larry McAtee had indicated he was not planning to run again and that he would support her if she ran.  

Peck felt she needed a deeper understanding of politics and conservative principles in order to be effective. She chose the Ardmore cohort because of the timing and made the trek from south Oklahoma City to Ardmore for each of the Fears Fellowship meetings. 

 In the Fears Fellowship she found “food for the soul.” She also discovered the inspiration she needed to take the plunge. About the Fears Fellowship, she declared:

Honestly, it came along at the perfect time for me. The knowledge imparted and updated, the network of colleagues, and the process itself were really fantastic. There were a lot of folks that were encouraging and inspiring in the program past, present, and future. I am really proud to be a Fears Fellow and really honored to have served our city in an elected capacity. 

Fears Fellows joined in her campaign. This included her campaign manager. Discussing her time on the City Council, she remarked, “What an honor to serve! I had the privilege of serving during a very special time in our city's history. Coming out of Covid, lifting the unconstitutional mask mandate, opening a major expansion at the renamed Will Rogers International Airport, and the arrival of the Olympics.” 

Peck continues to serve in the business world as a regional real estate manager for Love’s Travel Stops. 

Gabe Woolley, Oklahoma House of Representatives

Gabe Woolley participated in the fellowship in Tulsa in 2022. His family’s struggle with local elected officials and the Department of Human Services produced his interest in politics. A public school teacher, he taught English and Social Studies and was a delegate in his county’s GOP when he joined the Fears Fellowship. 

In the Fears Fellowship he found foundational values and a network. He described it like this: 

The Fears Fellowship has opened countless doors in my life, providing opportunities that have been instrumental to my personal and professional growth. Collaborating and networking with principled conservatives has deepened my love for both our state and our nation. The fellowship challenged me to embrace new ideas, broaden my understanding of America’s rich history, and reaffirmed my commitment to stand up for the values that make our country exceptional. The support didn’t end when the program did—the network remains a valuable resource. In fact, several of my Fears classmates even joined me on the campaign trail to help knock doors. I am deeply grateful to OCPA and the Fears Fellowship for investing in the next generation of conservative leaders. 

When he decided to run for the Legislature, Fears Fellows in the Tulsa area rallied around him. Several knocked doors on hot summer days to get him elected. 

For Representative Woolley, serving in the House is about protecting individual liberty. He commented:

Elected officials should be servants of the people. I chose to run for office with the goal of helping restore this vision and make it a reality again for our state. Our mission must always be to defend the God-given freedoms of every citizen. My priorities in the state House are clear: to reduce government overreach and increase transparency. Every bill we consider is an opportunity to either expand or limit the reach of government. I pray we always choose the latter.

Brian Barton, Oilton City Council

When he joined the Fears Fellowship in 2021, Brian Barton was working as an executive assistant at the Oklahoma Senate. In 2024, he became a caseworker for U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin. While continuing his responsibilities with Sen. Mullin, he joined the Oilton City Council in April.

Barton’s love for history made him a perfect fit for the J. Rufus Fears Fellowship. He observed:

The Fears Fellowship gave me the opportunity to study alongside like-minded, liberty-valuing future leaders. It deepened my understanding of constitutional principles and the vision of our Founding Fathers. Completing the program helped me apply those ideas to the real work of preserving freedom today. These principles aren’t just theoretical, they matter at every level of government. 

Serving people has always been Barton’s passion. That is what makes him such a good legislative staffer. Regarding the City Council, he said, “Local government is where real accountability begins. Serving on the city council isn’t about power. It’s about making sure our small towns are led with common sense, transparency, and a deep respect for the people who call them home.” 

Christina Hanvey, Westville Town Council

Christina Hanvey is a vocal music, speech, and drama teacher in Westville Public Schools. In 2024, she was tapped by Governor Kevin Stitt to serve on the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee. This year, she has taken on administrative duties with the school, and she was elected to the Town Council.

Obviously, she had the determination and zeal to serve. The Fears Fellowship gave her that little extra spark of confidence. She expressed it like this:

I’d like to think I already had the drive to serve, but the Fears Fellowship gave me the structure, mentorship, and community to turn that drive into action. Being surrounded by like-minded people who shared a heart for leadership and service gave me the confidence to step forward. I truly don’t think I’d be in this position today without that experience.

For Hanvey, serving on the Town Council is another way to give back to the community. She explained:

My desire to serve is deeply rooted in the example set by my family. Growing up with my parents in ministry, I saw firsthand what it means to live a life of purpose and service. Today, my dad continues his work in ministry, my mom serves as chairwoman of the local rural water board and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, my brother is a fire Captain for the local volunteer fire department, and my sister is studying to become a nurse. My family’s commitment to helping others shaped my values and taught me that service isn’t just something you do—it’s who you are.

Seeing Fears Fellows elected to office is exciting. Of course, other fellows are serving in amazing ways without putting their names on the ballot. More than 50 are working in government, policy, or politics. Others are leading in business, education, churches, and nonprofits. 

The experience they gain is more than just watching a video or reading a textbook. They meet successful leaders, gain mentors, and build a network of like-minded friends. It inspires them to step into the next leadership opportunity. Many Fears Fellows say the fellowship changed their life.

The next Fears Fellowship cohort will form in Tulsa this fall. The keynote speaker is former Congressman and former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Another group will begin in Oklahoma City in the spring of 2026. 

Please encourage young conservative leaders to join this powerful network. The J. Rufus Fears Fellowship is undoubtedly preparing Oklahoma’s next generation of conservative leaders.