John Sullivan in his own words

For John Sullivan, the time in Congress went fast. "It was great, I was honored to do it, and it's a special place." Sullivan lost in the primary to the man who will take the seat in January, Jim Bridenstine.

KRMG news spent time with Sullivan in a dark Tulsa airport after a late night flight back from Washington. One of the last Sullivan will take as a public servant.

Among our topics was how he would like to be remembered. “I hope they just remember that I worked hard, I tried to do a good job for them, that I was an honest guy, and I enjoyed doing it.”

What he liked the most about the job? “Helping just individual people” he began. “Helping a veteran get his back pay, people that had trouble getting social security checks, where you could really see it impact their lives” he finished.

And what he’ll miss. “I can always go out and make more money but you won’t have the variety and the information you get.” Sullivan’s eyes brightened when he added “and the camaraderie.”

Click here to listen to the entire interview.

What his time in the congress taught him. “How to convene people together, to build coalitions” he said as he thought. “Work to strategize and bring people together, people who don’t always like each other, finding some common ground.”

And what’s next. “I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life, to moving forward.” And what will that chapter be? “I’ll be starting my own business” Sullivan said smiling widely. “I haven’t gotten it all together yet but it’ll be done in a few days and I’ll be announcing it.”

Sullivan also talked about mistakes he made and things he thinks he did well. Click on the link above to hear the entire interview and get a better feel for how John Sullivan feels in the final days on the hill.