Dan Kirby (politician)

Kirby ran unopposed in the 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 elections. In 2016, he defeated Democrat Karen Gaddis, receiving 59.56% of the vote; after his resignation, Gaddis won a special election to replace him.^[2]

In January 2017, two legislative assistants accused Kirby of sexual harassment; after a House panel recommended his expulsion from the Senate, Kirby resigned in March.^[3][4] He was elected to represent Ward 4 on the Eufaula City Council in April 2021 and resigned in March 2023.^[5]

In July 2022, Kirby crashed his motorcycle near Lake Eufaula State Park and Sheryl Bichsel, his girlfriend and passenger, died in the accident. Since Kirby is a Muscogee Nation citizen and the accident occurred in Indian Country only the United States and Muscogee Nation had criminal jurisdiction. In June 2023, Kirby was tried in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in front of Judge John F. Heil III.^[6] Kirby was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was found to be at fault for the crash for driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and various prescription drugs.^[7] He was sentenced to 41 months in prison in July 2024 by Judge Heil.^[6] In December 2025, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Kirby's conviction.^[8]