Steve Russell

Steve Russell is a retired politician and military officer with extensive experience in leadership, national security, and public service. A Republican, he represented Oklahoma's 5th congressional district (Oklahoma City) in the United States House of Representatives and is a former member of the Oklahoma Senate.

As a former combat infantryman in the U.S. Army, Russell was deployed to various international hotspots including Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry "Regulars" during Operation Iraqi Freedom, playing a pivotal role in the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein. This operation brought him significant media exposure, with coverage from major global outlets and his leadership highlighted in documentaries such as Discovery's "Ace in the Hole" and BBC Panorama's "Saddam on the Run." Russell's military service spanned 21 years and earned him numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device. His book, "We Got Him! A Memoir of the Hunt and Capture of Saddam Hussein," documents a compelling firsthand account of the raids that led to Hussein's capture.

Russell also founded Two Rivers Arms, a rifle manufacturing business, and serves as the President and CEO of Jungle Aviation and Relay Service (JAARS), a worldwide, nonprofit organization with a primary focus on Bible translation support operations. His expertise in national security is frequently showcased in documentaries and films, including a notable mention of his Iraqi rifles in Clint Eastwood's film "American Sniper."

Russell dedicates his time to Vets for Victory, an organization he founded to support military personnel, and engages in various pastoral roles.