The Freedom From Religion Foundation is delighted to announce that Oklahoma state Rep. Mickey Dollens will join our organization as FFRF’s first regional governmental affairs manager, enhancing FFRF efforts to uphold the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and counter Christian nationalism.
“The Freedom From Religion Foundation is at the forefront of defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and religion,” says Dollens. “During my time in the Oklahoma Legislature, I have witnessed how this line can be weaponized, harming public policy and individual freedoms. Joining FFRF is a chance to defend religious freedom on a broader stage and ensure our government serves all people, not just a select few.”
Dollens’ experience in the Oklahoma House of Representatives highlights the critical need for the separation of church and state and policies based on reason and evidence. He has been a prominent voice as minority whip, actively opposing measures that blur this line, such as proposals to display the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms and legislation permitting the employment of chaplains in public schools. Dollens has also been outspoken in his criticism of Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and his blatant efforts to promote bibles in public schools and undermine secular public education.
Born and raised in Bartlesville, Okla., Dollens received a football scholarship to attend Southern Methodist University, where he majored in English. While attending an NFL combine, he was surprised to be recruited by the U.S. bobsledding team. After representing Team USA, he worked as a roughneck in the Oklahoma oilfields. Following a downturn in oil production, he became a high school English teacher at U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City. In 2016, he was among 208 Oklahoma City public school teachers laid off due to budget cuts imposed by the Legislature. This experience galvanized him to run for office, leading to his election as the representative for House District 93 in Oklahoma City in 2016. Dollens serves on a number of committees. In 2019, he was honored by the Oklahoma Democratic Veterans with their prestigious Legislator of the Year Award.
Dollens has appeared on FFRF’s “Freethought Matters” television program and spoke at FFRF’s 2024 national convention, where he discussed his efforts to challenge Christian nationalism in Oklahoma. Dollens has also written for MSNBC about the bible mandate in Oklahoma’s public schools. In August, Dollens released his book, “The Citizen’s Guide to Political Change: How to Win with Ballot Initiatives and Defend Direct Democracy,” a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on shaping public policy at the grassroots level through ballot initiatives, veto referendums and election recalls.
“Rep. Dollens’ unwavering commitment to secular values and his courageous work in Oklahoma make him an exceptional addition to our team,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “We are excited to welcome him and are confident that his leadership and experience will significantly strengthen our state-level advocacy during this critical time.”
Dollens will join a legislative team that includes FFRF Governmental Affairs Director Mark Dann, who is based in Washington, D.C., and concentrates on federal issues, plus Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne and State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley, who primarily work at the state legislative level. Dollens’ new role at FFRF will focus on identifying and advancing key legislative priorities, building coalitions in strategic states and developing initiatives to counter Christian nationalism. His addition to FFRF staff underscores the state/church watchdog’s growing legislative influence to combat Christian nationalism and protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church at all levels of government.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with 40,000 members across the country, including hundreds in Oklahoma. Its purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
