John Sparks' roots run deeply in Oklahoma. Raised in Sulphur near his family's ranch, which was founded before statehood, John remains actively involved in family ranching. He attended Harvard College where he was an All Ivy League defensive tackle and also served as an intern for then Senator David Boren. After receiving his degree, John returned home, earning a law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Upon graduation from law school, John's strong attraction to public service took him to Washington, DC, where he served as a legislative aide to Oklahoma Congressman Bill Brewster. John spent over a year serving the people of Oklahoma, working on issues such as the environment, defense, agriculture, international trade and Native American affairs.

Committed to improving Oklahoma, John again returned home to begin his legal career. Most of his legal career, including time with the law firms of Crowe & Dunlevy and Foliart, Huff, Ottaway & Bottom, has been spent in the health care sector. John is now a founding partner of the Odom, Sparks & Jones law firm.

Even as a busy professional, John understands the importance of a strong community and has served as President of both the Cleveland County Bar Association, the Cleveland County Workforce Investment Board and as a member of the boards of Health for Friends and the Thunderbird Clubhouse, which supports adults recovering from mental illness in Cleveland and McClain Counties. He is also a dedicated volunteer with the United Way of Norman.

He continues to be an active member of the Sooner Rotary Club, as well as a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. Following a long family tradition, John is a member of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattleman's Association and now the Cleveland County Cattleman's Association.

John was elected to represent Cleveland and McClain counties in the Oklahoma Senate in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010. With the University of Oklahoma located in his Senate district, John has been a strong supporter of Oklahoma’s colleges and universities, and has been recognized in his first term as the Higher Education Association’s Newcomer of the Year. He has also been honored by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association as Legislator of the Year for his work on behalf of ranchers.

In 2011, he was elected by his caucus to serve as an Assistant Democratic Floor Leader. Besides his standing committee assignments, he was appointed in 2011 to serve on the Senate Redistricting Committee as well as the Select Committee on Pensions to address the more than $16 billion in unfunded liabilities of the state's pension systems.

John and his wife, Elizabeth Sneed Sparks, are raising their two sons in Norman where they have lived since college. They are active members of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church and have served the church in numerous capacities, including the Administrative Board.

Committee Membership

• Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
• Education
• Finance
• Redistricting
• Retirement and Insurance
• Rules

Office Information

District Information: District 16

• Map
• Population and Household

Counties Represented

• Cleveland, McClain

Press Releases
Archives: 2010 | 2009 | 2008

• Health care law committee to begin work
  08.03.11
  
• Sparks: Passage of amended closing fund a victory for transparency
  05.18.11
  
• Statement from Sen. John Sparks on H.B. 2128, the gagging of the people of Oklahoma in the jury box
  04.04.11
  
• Statement from Sen. John Sparks on passage of ‘hard cap’ tort reform bill
  03.23.11
   
• Senate Honors Sooner Football Team
  02.23.11