Small: Don’t California Oklahoma

Don’t California Oklahoma

By Jonathan Small

A recent decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court effectively provided the green light for an initiative petition that would completely upend Oklahoma elections, replacing our system with the one used in California and Washington states.

Oklahoma’s current election system allows Republican voters to pick Republican nominees in party primaries while Democratic voters do the same. The two parties’ candidates then face off in the November general election along with any independent candidates who file.

But a group calling itself Oklahoma United wants to eliminate that system through State Question 836 and instead require that all candidates – Democrats, Republicans and independents – be placed on a single primary ballot with all voters participating and the “top two” candidates advancing to the general.

In practice, SQ 836’s model can reduce voters’ November choices to two candidates from the same party. This has often been the case in California. Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in California in a general election that pitted her against another Democrat.

OCPA calls to make State Superintendent an appointed position, not elected

OCPA: For accountability, make state superintendent appointed

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 2, 2025) — To bring greater accountability to the state school system and reduce dysfunction in state government, Oklahoma should make the position of state superintendent a gubernatorial appointee, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small said today.

“Every four years, candidates for Oklahoma governor campaign on education issues, but when they are elected, they have little direct oversight of the school system because the state superintendent is elected separately,” Small said. “Too often, we have seen an elected state superintendent work at cross-purposes to the governor. We saw that with former state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, who oversaw the worst academic declines in decades even as school spending exploded and then ran for governor against Kevin Stitt on a platform of improving the education decline she helped create.

Gov. Stitt appoints Lindel Fields to finish Walters' term as State Superintendent

In his press conference at Eisenhower International School, Gov. Stitt called for the legislature to pass a constitutional amendment changing the State Superintendent of Public Instruction from an elected position to one appointed by the Governor, before announcing his selection of Lindel Fields, a former longtime Career Tech superintendent.

Stitt announced as part of the "turnaround team" the following individuals: Connie Riley (Office of Educational Quality and Accountability), Kristen Stevens, Romel Muex-Pullen, Megan Oftedal, former State Rep. Tom Newell, Tara Thompson, and current Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders.

State House updates online budget transparency portal

House Updates Online Budget Transparency Portal

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 1st) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives released today an update to its online budget transparency portal, detailing state agency budgets that have been submitted to the Legislature for the FY27 budget.

The portal, known as Budget HQ, was created in 2024 in an effort to bring transparency to the state budgeting process both for the full House membership and the public.

"Our budget transparency portal has brought light to what used to be a mostly behind the scenes process in crafting our state budget. We will be posting updated budget requests ahead of budget hearings our committees will hold in December and January so our members and the public know the requests being made," said House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon. "We are already working on the FY27 budget and will continue to keep the public informed as the process progresses."

Small: Higher education has an extremist problem

Higher education has an extremist problem

By Jonathan Small

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shoved uncomfortable truths into the light. Among them is that the fringe-left views aggressively promoted on college campuses have morphed into an active embrace of assassination culture.

Anecdotal evidence abounds as many college students and faculty have publicly cheered Kirk’s murder. Sadly, those statements are not uncommon. Instead, polling consistently shows such views are concentrated among young Americans who have embraced far-left ideology.

Recent polling by YouGov found 24 percent of individuals who self-describe as “very liberal” say it is acceptable to be happy about a public figure’s death, compared to only 3 percent of those who self-describe as “very conservative.”

Rep. Kevin West launches campaign for Labor Commissioner

Rep. Kevin West has been one of the most solidly conservative Oklahoma state legislators in recent years.

Kevin West, current State Representative, Announces Candidacy to Serve as Oklahoma Labor Commissioner

MOORE, OK — State Representative Kevin West (R-Moore) announced his candidacy to serve Oklahoma statewide as Labor Commissioner in the 2026 election cycle.

West, who has represented Oklahoma House District 54 since 2016, has built a strong record of advancing pro-business legislation and strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce. His leadership includes authoring or co-authoring:

Chip Keating jumps into race for Governor

The 2026 campaign for Oklahoma Governor is about to get a lot more interesting. Joining heavyweight candidates like Attorney General Center Drummond, former House Speaker Charles McCall, and former State Senator Mike Mazzei, we now have Chip Keating - the son of a former governor and himself a former Secretary Public Safety.

Chip Keating Enters Race for Governor of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY - Chip Keating, a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, Secretary of Public Safety, and independent businessman, entered the race today for governor of Oklahoma. Keating enters the Republican primary promising to take on the threats facing Oklahoma families, crack down on crime, grow Oklahoma’s economy, and work with President Trump to make Oklahoma a leader in the America First agenda.

Poll finds tie race between Drummond and McCall in GOP primary for Governor

A new poll from the McCall campaign shows a much tighter GOP gubernatorial primary than previous surveys have shown - within the margin of error - reflecting the recent ad blitz by McCall's side after early ads came primarily from the Gentner Drummond campaign.

Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride between now and June 16th.

New Poll Shows Oklahoma Governor’s Race a
Dead Heat: McCall Surges as Drummond Falters

Oklahoma City, OK (Sept. 29th) — A new survey of likely Republican primary voters shows the Oklahoma governor’s race has shifted dramatically, with Charles McCall surging into a dead heat with Gentner Drummond.

The Stratus Intelligence poll, conducted September 23–25 among 837 likely GOP primary voters, found:

Gov race: Mazzei raises $1 million, pledges $3 million more

MIKE MAZZEI FOR GOVERNOR RAISES $1 MILLION

Tulsa, OK (September 30, 2025) Mike Mazzei, Republican candidate for Oklahoma Governor, has surpassed the one-million dollar mark in campaign donations. In addition, Mazzei and his wife, Noel, are matching every dollar donated by voters. On top of that, Mazzei has announced he will invest $3,000,000 of his own money into the campaign by the end of the year.

“I would never ask voters to help us fund this fight if I weren’t willing to do the same,” Mike Mazzei said. “I am committed to cleaning up Oklahoma government and the amount of financial support we have received shows voters want the same thing. The grassroot conservatives of Oklahoma are demanding an experienced, positive leader who knows how to get results.”

Byrd thanks SBA for taking action on Trump's executive order to stop "debanking"

State Auditor Cindy Byrd Thanks the Small Business Administration For Taking Action Quickly on President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order to End Debanking, Protecting Small

 Businesses and American Workers

 

(Sept. 10th, Oklahoma City) On August 7, Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd was honored to join 31 leading state financial officers from across the country in supporting President Donald J. Trump’s decisive action of an Executive Order to stop the practice of “debanking”—a standard which caused American law-abiding businesses and individuals to be denied access to essential financial services based on political or ideological grounds. 

Not only did the President act quickly on a needed policy change, but it was announced at the end of August that the Small Business Administration (SBA) is swiftly implementing the provisions that key state financial leaders had noted was causing harm to the America First agenda of promoting American jobs and putting obstacles in the way for American workers to achieve more prosperity. Firearms manufacturers, cryptocurrency firms, and other legal companies should not be forced to operate in uncertain environments which affect their outlook and growth potential. 

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus adds 5 new members

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus Expands With New Members

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 22nd) – The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus is proud to announce the addition of five new members to its ranks, further solidifying its commitment to advancing conservative principles and defending individual liberties.

Charlie Kirk, Remembered

On Wednesday, America lost a giant of a man. Charlie Kirk was a once-in-a-generation kind of force. Talented, earnest, well-spoken, a young man with a smile, a microphone, and an open call for dialogue, taking the conservative movement to the youth and campuses, engaging opponents with friendly banter and respect. 

And more than that - a man sold out and devoted to Jesus Christ. Kirk wasn't just a political figure - he was a Christian evangelist. His faith was his motivation, and wherever he went, he spoke of it. Politics won't save you, or America, but Jesus can.

May his legacy endure for generations in the lives he touched.