Weekly Opinion Editorial
A POLITICAL TORNADO!
by Steve Fair
Last week, a host of candidates filed for office
in Oklahoma. The Sooner state is one of
only two that have both U.S. Senate races on the ballot (California is the
other) in 2022. A total of 26 candidates
filed for the two seats. 13 Republicans filed
for the seat currently held by U.S. Senator Inhofe. U.S. Senator James Lankford, up for
re-election, faces 2 opponents in the GOP primary. The 2nd Congressional district
seat, currently held by Congressman Mark Wayne Mullin, who is running for the
Inhofe senate seat, has 14 Republicans vying to replace him.
Governor Kevin Stitt faces 3 primary opponents. Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell has no Republican opponent. State Auditor Cindy Byrd faces a Republican primary
opponent and State Labor Commissioner Leslie Osburn has 2 GOP opponents. 3 statewide ‘open’ seats (no incumbent) drew
multiple Republican candidates. There
are 3 GOP candidates for State Treasurer, 3 for State Superintendent of Public
Instruction, and 4 for Corporation Commissioner. The Attorney General race has 2 Republicans
facing off in the primary. The current
AG was appointed by Governor Stitt, so technically it is an ‘open’ seat as
well. Only 1 statewide elected official
did not draw an opponent, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready.
In the judicial and District Attorney
races, 116 of the 148 non-partisan judges were unopposed. 22 of the state’s 27 DAs didn’t draw
opponents. 9 of the 24 state senators up
for election were unopposed. 32 of the
101 state representatives didn’t draw opponents. A candidate’s hope is to file unopposed,
thereby avoiding a campaign. Three observations:
First, Oklahoma Republicans will need to
buy bigger mailboxes and stop watching TV.
GOP voter’s mailboxes are about to be full. With the Republican primary just 70 days away
(Tuesday June 28th), candidates will be bombarding voters with multiple
mail pieces. Slick, well produced television
ads will dominate the airways. Facebook,
Twitter and other social media platforms will be flooded with political
content.
Candidates will tout their superior qualifications,
intelligence, judgment and their opponent’s shortcomings and deficiencies. The truth in labeling Act doesn’t apply to
politics, so not everything that will be mailed will be truthful. Campaigns bank on ‘low information’ voters(people
who only pay attention every two years).
That avoid the hard issues and instead appeal to voters on an emotional
level, because it is a proven tactic.
Second, voters need to learn to properly vet
candidates. Don’t begin questioning a
candidate with an editorial statement of your position on the issue. You are not the candidate. The goal is to find out what the candidate’s
stance is on the issue. They are the one casting the vote. Listen carefully to the candidate’s respond
and insist the question is answered clearly and concisely. When viewing campaign ads and material,
recognize candidates always paint themselves in a positive light and their
opponent in a negative light. Ask people
who are more engaged than you in the political process about candidates. Pray and ask God to give you insight and discernment
about who to cast your vote for. Don’t
base your voting decision on a yard sign, a mail piece, a TV ad, or an eloquent
speech. Your vote is a sacred right- cast
it wisely. All candidates/politicians
are not alike. Be an informed voter.
Third, respect all who run for
office. It takes courage and resolve to
file for office. In a self-governed
system of government, having good people put themselves up for scrutiny by
running for elective office is no small thing.
You can disagree with their ideas without being disrespectful,
insulting, or mean-spirited.
In 70 days, most of the statewide races will be decided. Democrats have a slim chance of winning a statewide race in Oklahoma, so whoever wins the GOP primary will likely cruise to victory in November. Get ready for a political tornado the next 2 months. Don’t get caught in the vortex!
No comments:
Post a Comment