Rep. Rick West awarded for Biblical principles legislation 

Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, was one of 50 members of the Oklahoma Legislature to be recognized by the Christian Employers Alliance (CEA) because his voting record most aligned with biblical principles as measured by the Biblical Business Index (BBI). 

Oklahoma 2026 Defenders of Biblical Business Awards were presented at the State Capitol on March 17. 

“As a longtime Christian, I strive to make prayer and God’s word a baseline part of every decision I make,” West said. “I don’t do this for recognition by man, but in obedience to my Maker. Still, it’s nice to have affirmation that my legislation lines up with what are considered biblical principles by this national association.” 

The Christian Employers Alliance claims engagement with a network of more than 20,000 faith-based employers across all 50 states, including many of the largest faith-based organizations in the country. The group says members are united by a commitment to biblical principles, timeless American values and a desire to honor God through ethical leadership and business excellence.  

The group’s Oklahoma edition of its Biblical Business Index measures how closely lawmakers’ voting records align with principles rooted in scripture. The report found that 50 of the 149 members of the Oklahoma Legislature voted with the biblically based position at least 80% of the time or more, earning them the Defender of Biblical Business Award. 

The study encompassed an exhaustive review of the bills advanced in the Legislature and the extraction of more than 5,000 individual votes cast by lawmakers. CEA’s research team then applied a clearly defined methodology grounded in Scripture and longstanding Judeo-Christian social principles. 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

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