Born in 1978 to Melvin and Nora Austin of Broken Bow, Hank is a fourth generation Oklahoman and the youngest of three children. Melvin (Dude) passed away in Sept 2006. He was retired from the U.S. Navy, serving 29 years. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After retirement, he worked as a truck driver for various companies, including Lane Poultry (now Tyson Foods) and Pannell Chipping. Nora is a retired insurance agent and currently serves as a provider to the elderly. Hank’s southeast Oklahoma ties run even deeper. His maternal grandfather, P.A. Potts of Broken Bow, was a member of the CCC and helped build Beavers Bend State Park in the 1930’s. His maternal grandparents were married to each other for 68 years and Hank is one of their 16 grandchildren.

Hank graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1997 and was accepted into the Scholar’s Program at Carl Albert State College. While at CASC he served as President of the Student Government Association, as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society and on staff with the men’s basketball program. After graduating from Carl Albert in 1999, he went on to attend Oklahoma State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. While attending OSU, Hank worked for the OSU Alumni Association and the Payne County Drug Court.

Hank’s interest in politics began at an early age attending political rallies with his grandfather. He has served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Young Democrats, as a staff intern in the Governor’s office and State Senate and as a consultant on various local, state and national campaigns.  Currently, Hank serves as Chairman of the McCurtain County Democratic Party and on the Rules Committee for the 2^nd Congressional District for the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

In 2002, Hank moved back to southeast Oklahoma due to a change in his father’s health. In 2005, he was introduced to Rebecca (Becky) Otto of Maple Grove, MN and they were married in January 2006. The couple resides on the small, family farm that Hank was raised on near Broken Bow with their son, Evan. Hank is the owner and agent of Austin Insurance Agency in Broken Bow.  The couple are active members of First Presbyterian Church in Idabel where Hank serves as worship leader.

He is involved with several organizations serving as President of the Rotary Club of Idabel, on the board for the Broken Bow Main Street Program, as a member of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce, the Sons of the American Legion, the National FFA Alumni Association, the National Rifle Association, the CASC Alumni Association, the OSU Alumni Association, the Farmers Employee and Agent Political Action Committee, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and the McCurtain County Democratic Party. Hank dedicates his free time to his family, land, Church, golf, fishing and enjoys attending college football and basketball events.

Paid for by  FRIENDS OF HANK AUSTIN 2008