Ty Burns

Ty Burns
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 35th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 21, 2018
Preceded by	Dennis Casey
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Staci
Children	5
Education	Oklahoma State University, Stillwater (BS)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Unit	45th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War

Ty Burns is an American politician, educator, former law enforcement officer, and retired United States Army infantryman serving as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 35th district. Elected in November 2018, he assumed office on November 21, 2018.

Ty was born in Wakita, Oklahoma to Joe Burns from Tonkawa, Oklahoma and Mona Shire from Jefferson, Oklahoma on Dec 7, 1978. Burns was raised on a farm in Grant County, Oklahoma and Pawnee County, Oklahoma. He graduated from Pawnee High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater.^[1][2]

In June 1998, he enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He joined the 45th Infantry Brigade, the "Thunderbirds". He served for twenty years, retiring in August 2018. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual at Ft. Benning, GA, as an 11H, specializing in heavy anti-armor crew-served weapons. He received Top Gun in his class. Additionally, he spent a year in the Florida Guard as a Section Sergeant for a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) unit, earning the Florida Commendation Medal.

He served in several missions, including supporting recovery efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. From 2007 to 2008, he served in the Iraq War as the lead NCO of force protection on COP Apache with the 10th and 5th Special Forces Group. From 2011 to 2012, Burns was deployed to Afghanistan as a platoon sergeant for a Delta Company detachment. He conducted full-spectrum operations in the Laghman Province under the 45th IBCT.

He spent seventeen years with Delta Company in the 179th Infantry Regiment, where he finished his career as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant. His career concluded following a disagreement with the Battalion commander. After serving in Afghanistan, the Sergeant Major moved him to the 179th headquarters. He led the Scout Snipers and Recon Teams as the Platoon Sergeant for two years before returning to Delta Company.

Burns earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during Operation Brass Monkey on September 13th, 2011. He also has earned his combat infantryman badge in 2007 in Iraq. He also has completed ninety-seven combat missions, being actively involved with his platoon in over twenty-one engagements.

Burns served as a sheriff's deputy for six years. He was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in November 2018. He serves as the Representative for Oklahoma House District 35. Representative Burns will serve as the Chairman of the House A&B Finance Subcommittee and serves as Chairman for the Veterans Caucus for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.

During the 2019-2020 legislative session, he served as vice chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. In the 2021-2022 session, he served as the chair of the House Wildlife Committee.^[3] He was re-elected by default in 2020.^[4]

Ty truly believes that the only reason he is here today is because of the protective hand of God.

After the 2020 United States presidential election, Burns signed a letter along with other members of the Oklahoma Legislature, urging Oklahoma's congressional delegation to challenge the certification of the Electoral College votes.^[5]

In 2024, he voted in favor of a bill that would require adults to show and ID before accessing porn sites.^[6]

He worked as a football and wrestling coach for Ponca City Public Schools. He and his wife, Staci, own and operate Far Away Ranch where they raise and sell Oklahoma Certified Beef.