Greg Mashburn announced last week he will be retiring from his position as District Attorney for District 21, which covers Cleveland, Garvin and McClain Counties, effective March 1.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Jennifer Pointer Austin to fill the office for the remaining two years of Mashburn’s term, which ends in 2027. Austin has served as Mashburn’s first assistant district attorney since 2022.
“Serving the citizens of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties for the past 18 years has been the honor of a lifetime,” Mashburn said in a Dec. 18 press release announcing his retirement. “I am profoundly grateful for the trust my fellow Oklahomans have placed in me throughout my tenure.”
“When I first took office, I pledged to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and serve the public with integrity. These principles have guided me daily, and together, we have achieved significant milestones in pursuit of safer, more crimefree communities,” he said.
Mashburn began his career as an assistant district attorney in Oklahoma County, where he spent nearly a decade as a prosecutor. First elected district attorney for District 21 in 2006, Mashburn began his fifth term as DA in January 2023.
Gov. Stitt’s office announced Austin’s appointment as Mashburn’s successor Dec. 19.
“Jennifer’s career exemplifies dedication, integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice,” Stitt said in a press release announcing Austin’s appointment. “Her decades of experience prosecuting the most challenging cases, combined with her leadership and service to victims of crime, make her a terrific choice to serve as district attorney.”
Austin began her career as a prosecutor in the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office, where she was a founding member of the Domestic Violence Prosecution Team and handled cases involving homicide and child sexual abuse. She joined District 21's office under Mashburn in 2007, serving on the Major Crimes Team and later the Special Victims' Team, where she prosecuted numerous child and adult sexual abuse cases.
“I am deeply honored by the trust Governor Stitt has placed in me,” Austin said in the press release issued by the governor’s office. “Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to standing up for victims and ensuring justice prevails. I’m eager to lead the office with integrity and a continued focus on keeping our communities safe.”
A Norman native, Austin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Oklahoma State University. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1998.
Austin’s appointment will take effect with Mashburn’s retirement March 1.
