On Saturday, Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced that state Rep. Ty Burns would be resigning following controversy over his conviction of domestic abuse and assault.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelGov. Kevin Stitt, lawmakers, and the Oklahoma Republican Party had called for Burns to step down after news Burns pled guilty to the charges and received a one-year suspended sentence and 52 weeks of intervention training. Burns said he suffered from PTSD following his military career and was seeking treatment.According to his biography posted on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website, “Ty retired from the 45th Infantry Brigade with 20 years of service in 2018. Sgt 1st Class Burns has been deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008 and Afghanistan in 2011-2012. He is the recipient of many awards including Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.”Documents related to the case revealed disturbing details, including an incident where Burns chased an unrelated woman and one of his children in a van, threatening the woman by saying, “I’m going to make sure you go down. I’m going to kill you.”In a letter sent to Stitt, Burns said he would be tendering his resignation and would vacate his position as state Rep. for House District 35 on Oct. 1, 2025.The letter to Stitt is below.“Dear Governor Stitt,Pursuant to 26 O.S. 12-119, I hereby irrevocably tender my resignation for the elected position of State Representative for District 35. Such resignation shall become effective on October 1, 2025.My entire adult life I have been in public service, whether it has been in military deployments, law enforcement in Pawnee County, our schools as a teacher and coach or the representative of the people of House District 35. It has been an honor and a privilege every step of the way.It is in the best interest of the people I serve in House District 35 and, most importantly, my family, to step down from my position. I take full responsibility for my actions and am getting counseling with my family. Although not an excuse for my actions, I am receiving intensive treatment for issues from my military service that I have long ignored as a problem. I am confident this will make me a better husband and father.Over the next month, I will finish taking care of the remainder of my constituents’ issues and will ensure my interim study on PTSD proceeds, where I am personally participating in a brain mapping study of veterans with a traumatic brain injury.My office staff will continue to serve the constituents of House District 35 with any issues that arise until a special election can be held. Taking care of my family and my constituents are my top priorities.I would like to thank my fellow House colleagues who have prayed for and supported me and my family during this incredibly difficult time,” Burns wrote.The law cited in Burns’ resignation letter allows for him to remain in office until a later date and that Stitt would be required to set the date for a special election to replace him.”Except as otherwise provided by law, an incumbent in any elective office for which a vacancy is filled by special election called by the Governor may file with the Oklahoma Secretary of State an irrevocable resignation in writing which states that the resignation will not become effective immediately, but rather will become effective on some date certain. Upon receipt of the irrevocable letter of resignation, the Governor shall set the date for the special election. The person elected at the special election shall take office on the later of the date of certification of the results of the special election or the date the resignation of the incumbent becomes effective and shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.”Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Friday defended the charges brought against Burns and his sentence.”As Attorney General, I uphold and enforce the law without fear or favor. If you do not like the fact that Rep. Burns was “only” charged with a misdemeanor, then petition your legislator and the Governor to change the law. There was no legitimate justification for a felony charge in this case under current Oklahoma law,” Drummond wrote in a social media post. “As I said in my statement announcing his conviction, this is a very serious offense. The conviction means that any further incidents are eligible for felony charges. Rep. Burns has taken responsibility for his actions and has received the strongest punishment possible for a first time offender with a clean record. The question of whether he should resign is a matter I will leave to his family, his constituents, and his colleagues in the legislature.”Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.On Saturday, Drummond said Burns’ choice to step down was the “right thing.””In resigning his seat in the Legislature, I believe Rep. Burns is doing the right thing for his constituents, for his family, and for the people of Oklahoma. He has taken responsibility for his actions and remains bound by the terms of his sentence, which include intensive counseling and completion of a batterer’s intervention program. Domestic violence is a serious offense that affects countless families throughout Oklahoma, and I will always insist on the strongest form of accountability that the law allows,” Drummond wrote in a social media post.Hilbert released a statement about Burns’ resignation, saying he would be praying for Burns and his family.“I have talked to Rep. Burns and many of the members of the House of Representatives over the past 48 hours. I share his belief that it is best for him and his family to focus on his treatment and rehabilitation at this time. Domestic violence of any kind cannot and will not be tolerated by the House of Representatives. Alexis and I will be praying for Ty and his family as they navigate this challenging time,” Hilbert wrote.If you or someone you know is dealing with a domestic violence situation, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or by clicking here.Top Headlines Man charged after robbery and assault at Cabela’s in Oklahoma City Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy again but vows to keep flying Oklahoma City police issue Silver Alert for missing 79-year-old woman last seen Friday Check out Week 0 high school football scores from across Oklahoma Ponca City babysitter confesses to lying about infant’s injury

PAWNEE, Okla. —

On Saturday, Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced that state Rep. Ty Burns would be resigning following controversy over his conviction of domestic abuse and assault.

>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel

Gov. Kevin Stitt, lawmakers, and the Oklahoma Republican Party had called for Burns to step down after news Burns pled guilty to the charges and received a one-year suspended sentence and 52 weeks of intervention training.

Burns said he suffered from PTSD following his military career and was seeking treatment.

According to his biography posted on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website, “Ty retired from the 45th Infantry Brigade with 20 years of service in 2018. Sgt 1st Class Burns has been deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008 and Afghanistan in 2011-2012. He is the recipient of many awards including Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.”

Documents related to the case revealed disturbing details, including an incident where Burns chased an unrelated woman and one of his children in a van, threatening the woman by saying, “I’m going to make sure you go down. I’m going to kill you.”

In a letter sent to Stitt, Burns said he would be tendering his resignation and would vacate his position as state Rep. for House District 35 on Oct. 1, 2025.

The letter to Stitt is below.

“Dear Governor Stitt,

Pursuant to 26 O.S. 12-119, I hereby irrevocably tender my resignation for the elected position of State Representative for District 35. Such resignation shall become effective on October 1, 2025.

My entire adult life I have been in public service, whether it has been in military deployments, law enforcement in Pawnee County, our schools as a teacher and coach or the representative of the people of House District 35. It has been an honor and a privilege every step of the way.

It is in the best interest of the people I serve in House District 35 and, most importantly, my family, to step down from my position. I take full responsibility for my actions and am getting counseling with my family. Although not an excuse for my actions, I am receiving intensive treatment for issues from my military service that I have long ignored as a problem. I am confident this will make me a better husband and father.

Over the next month, I will finish taking care of the remainder of my constituents’ issues and will ensure my interim study on PTSD proceeds, where I am personally participating in a brain mapping study of veterans with a traumatic brain injury.

My office staff will continue to serve the constituents of House District 35 with any issues that arise until a special election can be held. Taking care of my family and my constituents are my top priorities.

I would like to thank my fellow House colleagues who have prayed for and supported me and my family during this incredibly difficult time,” Burns wrote.

The law cited in Burns’ resignation letter allows for him to remain in office until a later date and that Stitt would be required to set the date for a special election to replace him.

“Except as otherwise provided by law, an incumbent in any elective office for which a vacancy is filled by special election called by the Governor may file with the Oklahoma Secretary of State an irrevocable resignation in writing which states that the resignation will not become effective immediately, but rather will become effective on some date certain. Upon receipt of the irrevocable letter of resignation, the Governor shall set the date for the special election. The person elected at the special election shall take office on the later of the date of certification of the results of the special election or the date the resignation of the incumbent becomes effective and shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.”

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Friday defended the charges brought against Burns and his sentence.

“As Attorney General, I uphold and enforce the law without fear or favor. If you do not like the fact that Rep. Burns was “only” charged with a misdemeanor, then petition your legislator and the Governor to change the law. There was no legitimate justification for a felony charge in this case under current Oklahoma law,” Drummond wrote in a social media post. “As I said in my statement announcing his conviction, this is a very serious offense. The conviction means that any further incidents are eligible for felony charges. Rep. Burns has taken responsibility for his actions and has received the strongest punishment possible for a first time offender with a clean record. The question of whether he should resign is a matter I will leave to his family, his constituents, and his colleagues in the legislature.”

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.

On Saturday, Drummond said Burns’ choice to step down was the “right thing.”

“In resigning his seat in the Legislature, I believe Rep. Burns is doing the right thing for his constituents, for his family, and for the people of Oklahoma. He has taken responsibility for his actions and remains bound by the terms of his sentence, which include intensive counseling and completion of a batterer’s intervention program. Domestic violence is a serious offense that affects countless families throughout Oklahoma, and I will always insist on the strongest form of accountability that the law allows,” Drummond wrote in a social media post.

Hilbert released a statement about Burns’ resignation, saying he would be praying for Burns and his family.

“I have talked to Rep. Burns and many of the members of the House of Representatives over the past 48 hours. I share his belief that it is best for him and his family to focus on his treatment and rehabilitation at this time. Domestic violence of any kind cannot and will not be tolerated by the House of Representatives. Alexis and I will be praying for Ty and his family as they navigate this challenging time,” Hilbert wrote.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a domestic violence situation, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or by clicking here.

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