David Brumbaugh (December 2, 1960 – April 15, 2017) was an American businessman and Republican politician active in Oklahoma public life. He represented House District 76, based in Broken Arrow, as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2011 until his death in 2017. During his time in office he served as chairman of the Oklahoma Republican House Caucus and was known locally for combining private‑sector experience with an interest in state policy.

Early life and business career

Brumbaugh began his professional life in the private sector, establishing and running small businesses in the Tulsa metropolitan area. As an entrepreneur and employer he emphasized issues that affect merchants and local economic development. He was involved in community organizations and civic activities in the Broken Arrow area, building a local profile that later contributed to his entry into electoral politics.

Legislative career

Elected to the state legislature in 2010 and seated in 2011, Brumbaugh represented a suburban district in northeastern Oklahoma. In the House he rose to a leadership position as chairman of the majority caucus, a role that included coordinating policy priorities for fellow members and helping manage legislative strategy. His colleagues described him as an active participant in floor debates and a proponent of conservative approaches to budgeting and regulation.

Policy interests and accomplishments

During his legislative tenure Brumbaugh focused on topics commonly associated with Republican lawmakers at the state level. His public positions and sponsored measures emphasized:

  • Support for small businesses and efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on employers.
  • Fiscal conservatism, including attention to state spending and tax policy.
  • Advocacy for local control and measures intended to improve government efficiency.
  • Engagement with education and workforce issues affecting his district.

He participated in committee work and collaborated with legislators from across the state, drawing on his business background to argue for policies intended to improve Oklahoma's economic climate.

Death and legacy

Brumbaugh died on April 15, 2017, in Tulsa at the age of 56. His passing while in office led to tributes from colleagues and local leaders who noted his energy, commitment to constituents, and role in caucus leadership. Because he remained an incumbent at the time of his death, his seat was vacated and subsequently filled through the procedures established by state law.

Notable facts

Brumbaugh's career illustrates a common path in American state politics: transition from business and local civic life to elected office, and from there into party leadership within a state legislature. His work is remembered primarily at the local and state level, where he combined private‑sector experience with legislative responsibilities until his untimely death.

For more information about the offices he held and the community he served, see resources connected to his party and to the institutions of state government: party profile, legislative biography, and local community pages in Broken Arrow and the Tulsa region where he lived and worked.