Brad Carson
Democratic Candidate: Oklahoma's
Second Congressional District

Attorney Brad Carson is making his political debut in a bid to succeed retiring Republican Tom Coburn in the House seat from Oklahoma's Second District. Previously, he worked as a special assistant to Defense Secretary William Cohen. While at the Pentagon, he visited American troops and bases across Turkey, Kuwait, Germany, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United States and in the United Kingdom. During this time, Carson worked on such issues as gender integration and military readiness.

Prior to his time at the Department of Defense, Carson, 33, was an attorney in private practice, devoting a third of his time to pro bono work. He specializes in corporate litigation for small businesses, focusing on the oil and gas industry. His firm was awarded the 1996 Exceptional Contribution to Legal Services by Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma for Carson's work on behalf of low-income residents.

Carson serves on Baylor University's Committee on Liberal Arts and the Sesquicentennial Council. He has been on the Board of Directors of Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma, and is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and Cherokee Bar Association. He attends Claremore's First Baptist Church. Carson is of Cherokee descent.

Carson earned a bachelor's degree from Baylor University, and a master's degree in politics, philosophy and economics as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. He attended law school at the University of Oklahoma, completing his law degree with highest honors. Carson has also taught as an adjunct law professor at the University of Tulsa.

Carson has the support of several second district Democratic officials, including U.S. Representative Bill Settle (D-Muskogee) whom Carson defeated in a primary runoff. He is also endorsed by the Oklahoma Education Association.

Carson and his wife Julie live in Claremore, Oklahoma.