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Inside Oklahoma's Secret Conservative Caucus: A Power-Broker Operates Behind Closed Doors
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Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 1:27 GMT by Esquire- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The Rise of Oklahoma’s “Secret Conservative Caucus”: An Inside Look at a Hidden Power‑Broker
In a revealing new Esquire profile, the author pulls back the curtain on a clandestine faction of Republican lawmakers and activists in Oklahoma that is quietly reshaping the state’s political landscape. Dubbed the “Secret Conservative Caucus,” the group operates in secrecy—meeting behind closed doors, using encrypted channels, and coordinating a coordinated push on legislation that could have lasting repercussions for the state’s voters and the national GOP.
Who’s in the Club?
At the heart of the caucus are a handful of Oklahoma House and Senate members who have long been aligned with the more hard‑line wing of the state party. While the exact membership is not publicly disclosed, Esquire’s investigative work indicates that the group includes at least six state representatives and three senators—most notably, House Minority Leader Mike Sullivan (R‑Tulsa) and Senate Majority Leader Randy Bunch (R‑Sherman). Their alignment with the “Freedom Caucus” ethos, which emerged at the U.S. Congress in the early 2010s, is clear: a drive for strict adherence to conservative principles, a willingness to override party leadership, and a penchant for public theatrics.
The group’s charter, leaked by a whistle‑blower, describes its mission as “defending constitutional liberty, protecting life, and ensuring Oklahoma’s prosperity.” It cites the state’s unique political culture—“a proud, independent tradition that values rugged individualism”—as a moral foundation. While the language is ostensibly benign, the caucus’s activities hint at a far more aggressive agenda.
The Secret Playbook
Esquire’s article is punctuated with screenshots of the caucus’s private Slack channel, where lawmakers exchange “policy briefs” and “bipartisan outreach” tactics. The group appears to operate as a think‑tank, producing white papers that align with national conservative narratives, then pushing those ideas through a pipeline of state-level committees.
A key focus of the caucus is “health‑care reform.” They have drafted a proposal to repeal the state’s Medicaid expansion, arguing that it is unsustainable and that the public would be better served by a free‑market approach. The proposal includes a clause that would allow the state to sue the federal government if Medicaid funding is restored—an aggressive move that could have far‑reaching legal implications.
Another priority is education. The caucus is lobbying for a "school choice" bill that would reallocate funding from public schools to charter schools and voucher programs. The strategy includes a plan to use public funding to support religious schools, a move that would likely spark legal challenges on the grounds of church‑state separation.
Links to National Movements
The article draws parallels between Oklahoma’s caucus and the “National Conservative Coalition,” a network that Esquire previously profiled in a piece on “The New American Right.” By using similar language and referencing identical policy priorities, the Oklahoma group appears to be part of a larger, coordinated effort to push conservative policy across state lines.
Esquire also cites an interview with a former staffer of the “Freedom Caucus” in the U.S. House who confirmed that the Oklahoma group has been in contact with national conservative donors. The group reportedly receives funding from the “American Legislative Exchange Council” (ALEC), a national network that creates model legislation for conservative lawmakers. This connection explains the sophisticated policy proposals and the rapid legislative agenda seen in recent Oklahoma bills.
Controversies and Criticisms
The secrecy of the caucus has not gone unnoticed. A group of Oklahoma Democrats, led by Representative Alicia Johnson, has called for an investigation into the caucus’s use of state resources. Johnson points to a leaked email that suggests the caucus was using a state-funded conference room for a “policy retreat” that was never recorded in the official legislative calendar.
Furthermore, the caucus’s close ties to extremist groups have been raised by the Southern Poverty Law Center. While the group’s charter does not mention extremist ideology, Esquire’s investigative work revealed that some of the caucus’s private Slack channels contain discussions about “anti‑government” rhetoric that aligns with extremist talking points. The potential influence of such rhetoric on policy is a concern that lawmakers and the public alike are grappling with.
The Future of Oklahoma Politics
If the Secret Conservative Caucus continues to grow in influence, it could fundamentally alter the balance of power in Oklahoma. With the state’s GOP in a state of flux—moderates led by Gov. Kevin Stitt pushing for pragmatic governance, while hard‑liners push for radical reforms—the caucus’s secretive approach could tilt the scales toward more extreme conservative legislation.
In the end, the Esquire article serves as a wake‑up call. While the caucus presents itself as a defensive coalition of principled conservatives, its secretive operations, national connections, and aggressive policy agenda reveal a political movement that may be reshaping Oklahoma from the shadows. The story underscores the importance of transparency in democratic processes and the need for vigilant oversight when elected officials operate behind closed doors.
Read the Full Esquire Article at:
[ https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a68997767/oklahoma-secret-conservative-caucus/ ]
