Wes Watkins

Watkins, Wes (1938- ), member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma (1977-1991; 1997-2004). Watkins was born in DeQueen, Arkansas. He received a bachelor's degree in 1960 and a master's degree in 1961, both from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. In 1975 Watkins was elected to the Oklahoma Senate as a Democrat. In 1977 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's Third Congressional District and served on the Appropriations Committee, the Banking Committee, and the Urban Affairs Committee.

He was also a founding member of the Congressional Trade Caucus. He left Congress in 1991 to run for governor of Oklahoma. After he lost the race, Watkins claimed that his Democratic colleagues had given him insufficient support, and he joined the Republican Party. He then became president of World Export Services, an investment company specializing in oil, real estate, and telecommunications. After Representative Bill Brewster, a Democrat, announced his retirement from the Third District seat in 1995, Watkins was elected as a Republican to his former seat in November 1996.

The Third District is located in the southeast portion of Oklahoma. The largest city in the district is Stillwater, with just over 35,000 people. The region produces oil and natural gas, agricultural products, and livestock, including cattle, chickens, and hogs. Tyson Foods is a major employer. In 1997 Watkins served on the Ways and Means Committee.