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Perkins Today
By the People, for the People
Oklahoma Youth Governors Take Office
Kid Governor and 4-H Junior Governor programs hold inauguration ceremonies at the State Capitol
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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While the Oklahoma Legislature convened its 2nd Session, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) administered the oaths of office for the 2026 leaders of its two youth governor programs - the Oklahoma Kid Governor and the Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor. The new youth governors and cabinet members were selected through student-led campaigns and elections, and will spend the next year promoting their policy platforms focused on issues like animal abuse prevention, bullying, homelessness, and more.
Why it matters
These youth governor programs provide important civics education and leadership opportunities for Oklahoma students, empowering them to get involved in the political process at an early age. The programs also shine a spotlight on issues that matter most to the next generation of Oklahomans.
The details
The Oklahoma Kid Governor program, operated in conjunction with the Connecticut Democracy Center, immerses 5th grade students in a real election process to select a student governor who will serve a one-year term. This year's Kid Governor is Katelyn Talley from Valliant, whose platform is animal abuse prevention. The Kid Lieutenant Governor is Sophia Chavarria Rivera from Bethany, with a platform of bullying prevention, and the Kid Secretary of State is Daphne Tanequodle from Lawton, who will address homelessness. The Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor program also elected its 2026 leaders, including Junior Governor Riley Braden from Bristow, who ran on a pro-life platform, Junior Lieutenant Governor Whitlee Moser from Perkins, who focused on education, and Junior Secretary of State Riley Rudder from Fort Towson, who will work on turtle conservation.
- The youth governor elections were timed to coincide with Election Day 2025.
- The new youth governors and cabinet members were sworn in at the Oklahoma State Capitol on February 2, 2026.
The players
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA)
A non-profit organization that coordinates the Oklahoma Kid Governor and Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor programs to provide civics education and leadership opportunities for students.
Katelyn Talley
The 2026 Oklahoma Kid Governor, a 5th grader from Valliant whose platform is animal abuse prevention.
Sophia Chavarria Rivera
The 2026 Oklahoma Kid Lieutenant Governor, a 5th grader from Bethany whose platform is bullying prevention.
Daphne Tanequodle
The 2026 Oklahoma Kid Secretary of State, a 5th grader from Lawton whose platform is addressing homelessness.
Riley Braden
The 2026 Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor, a homeschooled student from Bristow whose platform is to protect and promote the sanctity of life.
What’s next
The new youth governors and cabinet members will visit the State Capitol to meet with lawmakers before the legislative session concludes, and will also attend OICA's annual Heroes Ball in July.
The takeaway
These youth governor programs provide valuable civics education and leadership opportunities, empowering the next generation of Oklahomans to get involved in the political process and advocate for the issues they care about.
