Daniel Pae currently serves as the Oklahoma state representative for House District 62. Before he was elected to the state legislature, Daniel worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Lawton City Manager’s Office.
While legislating in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Daniel has served as a co-vice chair of the House State and Federal Redistricting Committee, chair of the House Rural Development Committee, and a co-chair of the Future Caucus, as well as being a founding member of the Legislative Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus.
For his commitment to bipartisanship and consensus-driven leadership approach, Daniel has received a variety of recognitions, including the 2022 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award, the 2022 Oklahoma State Regents Distinguished Service Awards for Higher Education, the 2022 Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women’s Guardian Award, the 2019 NextGen Under 30 Award, the 2019 Oklahoma Public Employees Association’s Freshman Legislator of the Year, and the 2019 Rising Star Award from the International Leadership Foundation.
Born and raised in Lawton, Daniel is a proud graduate of Lawton High School’s Class of 2013. During his time at LHS, Daniel served in Student Council, Media Productions, and National Honor Society. He was the state champion for the Lions Club Speech Contest and the recipient of the Hugh Bish Award, which is given to the top student in each graduating class.
Daniel graduated from the University of Oklahoma with two majors in economics and political science, two minors in history and international area studies, and a master’s degree in public administration. Daniel served as OU’s Student Government Association (SGA) President, along with volunteering his time with The Oklahoma Group, Loveworks Afterschool Leadership, and Generation Citizen. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA.
Daniel received numerous scholarships, honors, and awards during his college career, including the Carl Albert Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Carl Albert Capitol Scholar, and Henderson Scholarship. He was named to PE- ET Top Ten Senior Honor Society, OU Homecoming Royalty, and as a Big Man on Campus. Daniel also received the President’s Award for Outstanding Sophomores, the Regents’ Award for Outstanding Juniors, and the Outstanding Senior Man Award. He was named the recipient of the Carl Albert Award, which is the most prestigious award given to a student by the OU College of Arts and Sciences based on academics, moral force of character, and promise of future service to the state and nation.
In his hometown, Daniel serves on the Young Professionals of Lawton Board of Directors, Leadership Lawton Fort Sill Board of Directors, and Marie Detty Youth & Family Services Board of Trustees. Additionally, he serves on the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Board and The Oklahoma Academy Advisory Council. He is a graduate of Leadership Lawton Fort Sill Class 28, the 2019 Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills, the inaugural City of Lawton’s Citizens Academy, Leadership Oklahoma Class 33, and the 2022 Council of State Governments (CSG) Henry Toll Fellowship Program.
Whenever he has free time, he enjoys working out at the gym, exploring hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars, and attempting to make the perfect omelette.