MEET LUKE
FAMILY COMES FIRST
Luke Kruse is a lifelong Oklahoman, educator, coach, and community volunteer who believes in rolling up his sleeves, listening to his neighbors, and finding real solutions that make life better for families across District 35.
For nearly two decades, Luke has served Oklahoma students and families in almost every way imaginable — teaching history, government, and math, driving the school bus, coaching youth sports, and mentoring college students. He’s known across Morrison and surrounding towns as the kind of neighbor who steps up: the teacher who stays late to help a struggling student, the volunteer who mows the church lawn, and the coach who leads the fifth and sixth grade football team with heart and humility.
Luke’s career began after graduating from Stillwater Public Schools and earning his degrees from Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma State University, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he completed a master’s in Educational Leadership. His experience spans from rural classrooms to higher education, including teaching at Northern Oklahoma College, where he now serves as a faculty member and mentor.
“I’ve spent my life serving this community — in classrooms, on school buses, and sports. Our families deserve a representative who will work for better schools, safer roads, and a brighter future for our kids.”
Luke and his wife Ashley are raising two children in Morrison. Together, they are deeply rooted in the community, volunteering at their church, supporting foster care initiatives through Project 111, and showing up wherever there’s a need.
Luke also knows what it means to build something from the ground up. As a small business owner, he and Ashley ran Kruse’s Caribbean Ice, a Stillwater snow cone stand they operated for more than a decade to help pay their way through college. That experience gave him firsthand understanding of what small business owners and working families face in today’s economy — long hours, tight budgets, and the constant balance between work and family. Through it all, Luke has remained focused on what he calls “the basics of good leadership: listening first, working hard, and treating everyone with respect.”
“Leadership isn’t about making noise, it’s about making progress. My goal isn’t to divide, but to bring people together around solutions that move our communities forward.”
The Issues
Fix Local Roads & Infrastructure
Addressing infrastructure isn’t politics — it’s practicality. Luke will work to ensure state funding reaches rural areas like ours to repair roads, improve bridges, and maintain the systems that keep our communities connected.
Grow Our Rural Economy
Luke believes in policies that keep small towns thriving — supporting local agriculture, expanding broadband access, and helping small businesses and family farms compete and grow.
Support Foster Families
As a longtime supporter of foster care programs like Project 111, Luke will prioritize policies that strengthen Oklahoma’s foster system and ensure families who open their homes have the resources they need.
Invest in Public Education
Luke knows firsthand that strong schools create strong communities. He will work to strengthen public schools by increasing per-pupil funding, raising teacher pay, and ensuring every Oklahoma student has access to a quality education.
Serve with Integrity & Respect
Luke’s approach is simple: listen first, speak with honesty, and work toward real solutions. He will bring civility, compassion, and common sense to the State Capitol because that’s what Oklahomans deserve.
