Tuesday is election day; please vote
Tuesday, June 28, is election day in Kingfisher County and all of Oklahoma.
I hope everyone who is qualified will go to the polls and vote their conscience.
Numerous important state and federal positions will be filled – or at least party nominees decided – in this election.
Both Republican and Democrat ballots will be available at polling places. (Voters registered as Independent are allowed to vote in the Democrat primary.)
The political winds have switched markedly in Oklahoma in recent years.
Today the Republican ballot is much longer than the Democratic.
One has to go back only a few years to find the opposite to be true.
In earlier times, those not registered as Democrats could not vote in local elections.
Why? Because no Republicans filed.
Because no Republicans filed.
Oklahoma was a solidly Democrat state at that time but the party was the party of the working man then. The roles have switched 180 degrees.
Voter registration rolls were overwhelmingly Democratic.
That all changed with the election of Ronald Reagan, a former actor, union leader and life-long Democrat, who became America’s 40th president from 1981 to 1989 – as a Republican.
The Great Communicator, as he was called, explained his switch this way:
“I didn’t leave the Democrat Party; it left me.”
Deeply moral Oklahoma agreed with President Reagan, finding his belief in individual responsibility and reduction of government regulations both refreshing and economically helpful to the “little man.”
One of his comments that resonated with average citizens went like this: “Government isn’t the answer; it’s the problem.”
He also quipped on one occasion: The nine most dangerous words in the English language are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” Voters were troubled during the presidency of Jimmy
Voters were troubled during the presidency of Jimmy Carter, Reagan’s predecessor, due to soaring inflation, poor economy and the year-long imprisonment of Americans in Iran. As president, Reagan negotiated legislation to stimu
As president, Reagan negotiated legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment and strengthen national defense.
Meanwhile today’s Biden administration seems determined on turning this sovereign nation over to a oneworld government ruled by wealthy elitists.
Such people have one major goal, increasing their personal wealth.
Citizens have not only the freedom to vote but a responsibility to do so.
Due to requests from readers (well, maybe one reader) I have decided to tell readers of this space my personal choices in Tuesday’s election.
This doesn’t mean you should follow my recommendations. You undoubtedly have good reasons – very possibly better than mine – for different choices.
Note, since I am now a registered Republican I’ll mention only candidates in Republican races.
Anyway, here I go:
U.S. Senate (unexpired four years of Jim Inhofe’s term following his retirement on Jan.1.) – I’ll vote for Dr. Randy Grellner, Kingfisher County product and now a long-time practicing physician at Cushing.
Doctor Grellner, the son of Judy Grellner of Kingfisher and the late Jim Grellner, grew up on a farm in Kingfisher County (Big Four) and the values of this county are deeply ingrained in him. He is a conservative in his own business dealings and
He is a conservative in his own business dealings and is convinced the nation needs a good dose of living within its means. Like the late former Sen. Tom Coburn, also a physician, he intends to return to Oklahoma each week if he is elected. That way he can continue to see the patients who depend on him and have depended on his service for the last 21 years. He began his practice in Cushing after graduating from
He began his practice in Cushing after graduating from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1998.
He considers Dr. Coburn a role model for fiscally responsible senators and has pledged to work to balance the nation’s budget and get spending under control.
This is Dr. Grellner’s first time to seek government office, except for serving on the Cushing school board. Dr. Grellner and his wife of 31 years, Shelley, have two
Dr. Grellner and his wife of 31 years, Shelley, have two sons, Austin, who is married and lives in Virginia Beach, Va., and Jacob, who is a student at Southern Nazarene University.
Governor – I’ll vote for Kevin Stitt, the incumbent and businessman who has helped put state government on its soundest footing in years.
State auditor and inspector – Cindy Byrd, incumbent, is completing her first term in office and has done a solid job.
Attorney General – John O’Connor is the incum bent, an appointee of Governor Stitt. He has made numerous good decisions, that are beneficial to the state and representative of Oklahoma thinking.
State Treasurer – Todd Russ, a state representative, District 55, from 2009 to 2022 (he’s term limited). His hometown is Cordell. He represented Beckham, Greer, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita counties.
He has chaired the House Banking and Financial Services Committee and served on the budget committee and insurance committee. He has a long background in banking, which should be beneficial in quickly adapting and serving well, based on his past service and knowledge of the inner workings of state government.
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Ryan Walters, State Secretary of Public Education. Ryan Walters is the youngest of the primary candidates at 36 years old. Walters is serving in Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration, supporting Stitt’s agenda in education during and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that often went against the wishes of Joy Hofmeister, state superintendent, and Democratic lawmakers.
Walters is a McAlester native who started his career in education teaching at McAlester High School before entering the political sphere.
Commissioner of Labor – We’ll go with Keith Swinton. Our state sources say the other two are looking at the job as a stepping stone to higher office.
Corporation Commission – Todd Thomsen is a great candidate and will make a great commissioner because he is sincere and is willing to listen.
U.S. Senator (post currently held by James Lankford) – while I have nothing against Lankford, I am going to vote for Jackson Lahmeyer, the Tulsa pastor who seems to be more solidly conservative.
Lahmeyer quickly drew endorsements from Roger Stone, Trump advisor, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani after filing for the office.
Over the last 14 months he has also been endorsed by General Michael Flynn, Sebastian Gorka, Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, Oklahomans For Health and Parental Rights and others. Recently, the Oil and Gas Workers Association joined in.
U.S. Representative, District 3 – Frank Lucas. incumbent, is the only farmer serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a reliable congressman for this district.
I’ll vote for Lucas. He understands the needs of rural America.
State Senate, District 26 – I will vote to help re-elect Darcy Jech of Kingfisher. Jech is a lifelong Kingfisher County resident, a businessman and farmer. He is a conservative Christian who understands the needs of Oklahoma and can be depended on to do the right thing.