PRIMARIES ARE HEALTHY!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

EXODUS 18:21

by Steve Fair

 

Overall, incumbent candidates win 95% of the time.  Incumbents have the advantage of name recognition. the leverage to raise money, and an established campaign infrastructure.  Incumbents win because voters are predisposed to choose the status quo versus an unknown quantity.  The truth is the incumbent is the devil they know.    

Forty-one (41) sitting legislators in Oklahoma are facing primary challengers in 2026.  That number is up +41% over 2024.  Eleven state senators and thirty state representatives in the Sooner state have primary opponents.  For the first time in a long time, Oklahoma voters will have a choice about who their legislator will be when they go into the voting booth on June 16th.  Three observations:

First, primaries are healthy.  Elected officials/incumbents often are offended someone dared to file for 'their seat.'  But it isn't 'their seat.'  The seat belongs to the people.  Incumbents should be happy to run on their record.  Having a primary gives them an opportunity to present their positions and values to their constituents.  An elected official who is bitter because someone filed against them exhibits attributes that should raise a red flag to voters (pride/arrogance/selfishness).  When voters have alternatives, that is healthy for the political process. 

Second, voters should vet the candidates.  Each voter should take the time to find out about the candidates- incumbents and challengers.  Here are three suggestions on how to do that: (1) Personally ask the candidate what their position is on issues and their values.  This could involve attending an event or personally contacting the candidate.  Some candidates will shield themselves from the general public.  Their gatekeepers are told to keep voters from gaining access.  That should raise a red flag.  Find a candidate who is accessible and willing to tell you their policy position, even if they don't agree with you.  (2) Research candidates online.  You have to be careful because as Abe Lincoln said, "you can't believe everything you read on the Internet."  Recognize most online sources have an agenda and 'spin' information, but with patience and persistence, a voter can find a great deal out about a candidate online. (3) Seek out someone you trust for their opinion on candidates.  While that is a lot like letting someone else do your homework, it's better than not having a clue when you get in the voting booth.   

Third, seek candidates who don't do groupthink.  When an elected official is so predictable, it looks like they are on 'autopilot,' that likely indicates a lazy approach to thinking.  While consistency is the foundation of trust, being against or for an issue based on completely on personality is political theatre.  Independent-minded, critical thinking leaders challenge the status quo and base decisions on evidence.  Good leaders welcome a divergent perspective, are decisive, and are not blindly loyal to a special interest or group.  Elected officials who serve in a legislative body especially need to be able to collaborate, negotiate, and display exceptional persuasive skills.

With a record number of primary races in the Oklahoma legislature, voters have a choice.  Voters shouldn't take the incumbent or their challenger at face value.  They should do their due diligence. In Exodus 18:21, Jethro told his son-in-law Moses to appoint men not covetous, who were competent, trustworthy, and God-fearing.  Oklahoma primary voters should look for those same characteristics in candidates on June 16th.