Former Social Security Commissioner to Take Questions from Oklahomans Amid Agency Turmoil

Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma Democratic Party announced on April 15th, that it will host a Social Security Town Hall on April 17, 2025, at 5th Baptist Church (801 NE 5th St, Oklahoma City). The event, which begins at 6:30 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM), will feature Martin O’Malley, the former Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and former Governor of Maryland, as the keynote speaker. This town hall offers a rare opportunity for Oklahomans to ask pressing questions about Social Security directly to someone who has led the agency and knows how it should operate.

O’Malley’s appearance comes at a critical time. Social Security has been making national headlines due to recent developments and controversies. O’Malley himself has recently warned that proposed federal actions could cause the system to “collapse” and lead to an “interruption of benefits” within months. Such a disruption would be unprecedented — more than 72 million Americans rely on Social Security, and the program has never missed a payment in over 80 years. In Oklahoma alone, roughly 800,000 residents depend on Social Security for their retirement or disability benefits. The looming uncertainty has many locals concerned about the future of the program and their livelihoods.

Rather than avoid open forums or tough questions, Democrats are opening the floor to everyone. The Oklahoma Democratic Party is extending an invitation to all Oklahomans— regardless of how they voted last November— to participate in this town hall. Attendees will have the chance to hear O’Malley’s insights on how the Social Security Administration should operate and to engage in a candid Q&A about the challenges facing the system. Organizers emphasize that the event is about inclusive civic engagement on an issue that affects everyone, from seniors to young families planning for the future.

Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, stressed the importance of accessibility and engagement. “At a time when many leaders shy away from tough questions, we believe in open civic engagement and making government accessible to everyone,” said Andrews. “No matter how you voted in November, you are welcome to join us and get straight answers on Social Security. Our goal is to help Oklahomans navigate this critical issue and ensure no one is left in the dark when it comes to their future.”

Event Details

• When: Thursday, April 17, 2025 – Doors open at 6:00 PM; program begins at 6:30 PM
• Where: 5th Baptist Church, 801 NE 5th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
• What: Social Security Town Hall, featuring Martin O’Malley (former SSA Commissioner and Maryland Governor) – Open to the public, all are welcome to attend.

This town hall underscores the Oklahoma Democratic Party’s commitment to connecting with the community and tackling the issues that matter most to Oklahomans. With Social Security’s future in the spotlight, the Party is providing a forum for honest discussion and problem-solving — inviting every Oklahoman to be part of the conversation about protecting and strengthening this vital program.