OKGOP calls for get-out-the-vote volunteers this weekend

The Oklahoma Republican Party is calling for volunteers to help with get out the vote efforts in school board and municipal elections this weekend. Below is a release from OKGOP Vice Chairman Shane Jemison:Attention all Republicans,  In 74 of 77 counties early voting begins TODAY for local school board and city council...

Poll: Lankford, Stitt, Mullin lead respective races by large margins

Here's the latest poll of the Oklahoma election landscape, from Amber Integrated.Key takeaways:U.S. Sen. James Lankford leads Jackson Lahmeyer. Massively.Gov. Kevin Stitt leads Mark Sherwood in the GOP primary (massively) and holds a consistent 14% lead over RINO-turned-Democrat Joy Hofmeister in the general.U.S. Rep. Markwayne...

Gov. Stitt signs "Save Women's Sport Act" into law

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNS “SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS ACT” INTO LAWOKLAHOMA CITY (March 30, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt signed SB2, the Save Women’s Sports Act, into law today. Watch the full bill signing ceremony below:&nb...

Attorney General O'Connor joins multistate action to end CDC's unlawful mask mandate

Attorney General O'Connor Joins Multistate Action to End CDC's Unlawful Mask MandateOKLAHOMA CITY - Attorney General John O’Connor is joining 20 other states, led by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, in a multistate action against President Biden’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continued use of the unlawful...

Former CA Gov Pete Wilson endorses Alex Gray's Senate bid

ALEX GRAY FOR UNITED STATES SENATE GAINS ENDORSEMENT OF FORMER U.S. SENATOR AND GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PETE WILSON Oklahoma City, OK (March 29th) – Today, former Trump national security official and U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gray has received the endorsement of Governor Pete Wilson. This marks the eleventh high-profile...

Lankford, Hern slam Biden's budget proposal

Lankford Responds to Biden Budget ProposalWASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) responded to President Biden’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2023:“A president’s budget is simply a wish list for the upcoming year. Biden’s wish list is more taxes, more spending, and no genuine proposal to solve our skyrocketing debt....

Rhonda Hopkins joins GOP race in 2nd Congressional District

The Republican field for Congress in the 2nd District continues to grow. I received a video announcement from Rhonda Hopkins, who becomes the ninth declared candidate to my knowledge.Hopkins is a past candidate for office, having run for CD2 in 2020 (getting 7.4% in a three-way primary), and State House District 86...

Bad idea: State House votes to roll back pension reforms, return to same bad system that got into trouble

It wasn't that long ago that the Oklahoma Legislature was faced with the reality of massive financial crisis with state employee retirement systems. We had some of the worst-funded state pension systems in the nation. Following the leadership of individuals like then-State Rep. Randy McDaniel, the Legislature took steps to...

Gov. Stitt appoints John Nash as Sec'y of Military and Veterans Affairs

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS JOHN NASH AS SECRETARY OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRSOKLAHOMA CITY (March 28, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today he has appointed John Nash as Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Brig. Gen. Ben T. Robinson.“John Nash’s background as...

Trump ambassador to Israel David Friedman endorses Gray for Senate

FORMER AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL DAVID FRIEDMAN ENDORSES ALEX GRAY FOR SENATEOklahoma City, OK (March 28th) – Today, former Trump national security official and U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gray has received the endorsement of Ambassador David Friedman. The former ambassador to Israel is the tenth significant endorsement of frontrunner...

OCPA column: Election integrity measures are justified

Election integrity measures are justifiedBy Jonathan SmallVoter confidence is crucial to democratic stability. That’s why it is appropriate for Oklahoma state lawmakers to advance election-security measures even though Oklahoma has not suffered the election irregularities that have plagued other states.No one can seriously...

State Senate approves bills affirming biological sex at birth, protecting women's sports

Senate supports science with measures affirming biological sex at birth and its importance in women’s sportsOKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave approval to a pair of measures Thursday affirming biological sex at birth and placing importance on this designation for female student athletes across the state. Sen. Micheal Bergstrom,...

House passes bill that protects firearm entities in gov't contracts

 Rep. Kevin West Bill Protects Firearm Entities in Government ContractsOKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Wednesday passed a bill out of the House  that would disallow the state of Oklahoma to contract with any company that discriminates against the firearms industry.  "This is a constitutionally...

State Rep. Avery Frix announces congressional campaign, becomes 8th GOP candidate for 2nd District

State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) becomes the eighth Republican to launch a campaign for the 2nd Congressional District, and the third from the city of Muskogee. The last time the seat was open - in 2012 - it drew six candidates.He joins State Sen. Marty Quinn, State Rep. Dustin Roberts, former State Rep. and current...

American Quarter Horse on track to become Oklahoma's State Horse

American Quarter Horse on Track to Become Oklahoma's State HorseOKLAHOMA CITY – The American Quarter Horse could become Oklahoma's official state horse after legislation advanced through the House.House Bill 3261, authored by Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, names the American Quarter Horse as the state horse of Oklahoma in...

State Senate passes measure for voters to consider judicial nomination reform

JUDICIAL-NOMINATION REFORM WINS OKLAHOMA SENATE APPROVALLegislation that would reform the state’s judicial nominating process has won easy approval in the Oklahoma Senate.“This is an extremely important reform that I think most Oklahomans will support,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.Senate Joint...

Canadian County Commissioner Jack Stewart to run for SD18

Canadian County Commissioner, Republican Jack Stewart to Run for New State Senate District 18Jack Stewart, who is currently finishing his third term as Canadian County Commissioner for District 3, announced today that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for the newly created Oklahoma State Senate District 18. Jack...

Senate passes Jech measures to modify vehicle sales tax and registrations

Senate passes Jech measures to modify vehicle sales tax and registrationsOKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans may soon have a little extra money in their pockets after buying a new car or truck. The Senate approved a pair of measures authored by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, on Monday that would change how the state collects sales tax...

Treat's school choice bill fails in late night Senate vote

 I'll have more on this later, but State Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat's school choice bill (SB 1647) failed in a vote on the Senate floor late last night. The measure would have given (in something roughly akin to an education savings account) something in the ball park of $3,500 to students to attend private schools instead...

Sen. Boren, Cleveland County residents voice outrage over proposed turnpike expansion

Sen. Boren and other Cleveland County residents voice outrage over proposed turnpike expansionOKLAHOMA CITY – At a press conference Wednesday, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, was joined by other Cleveland County residents in sharing their outrage over the planned expansion of Oklahoma’s turnpike system that threatens the home and...

Senate passes bill to help fill teacher shortage

Measure to help fill teacher void heads to HouseOKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave approval Wednesday to legislation to allow schools to utilize highly-qualified professionals in their classrooms as long as needed. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, authored Senate Bill 1119 to remove the 270-hour cap for adjunct teachers per semester...

Community schools pilot program approved by State House

Community Schools Pilot Program Approved by HouseOKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would institute a pilot program for the community school concept advanced from the House on Monday. House Bill 3374 is authored by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City.Community Schools make use of up to $100,000 per school district of federal funds to...

State Rep. Rick West's "Right to Garden" bill passes House

Right to Garden Passes HouseOKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, this week won passage of a bill that will grant people the right to grow personal gardens regardless of where they live or any potential future government action that might seek to restrict such freedom.House Bill 2979 creates the Oklahoma Right to Garden...

State House passes bill to send end of Daylight Savings Time to vote of the people

Daylight Savings Change Clears HouseOKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, today convinced enough of his House colleagues to send to a vote of the people a proposal that could permanently end Daylight Savings Time in Oklahoma.House Bill 3146 would ask Oklahomans to vote on a statutory amendment that if approved would lock...

Mullin: my term limits pledge didn't matter because "my life experience changed"

Congressman Markwayne Mullin, now running for U.S. Senate after Jim Inhofe announced his retirement, famously broke - a term limits pledge in 2018 when he ran for his fourth term in the U.S. House (he's now finishing up his fifth).Reporter Reese Gorman of The Frontier caught up with Mullin at a recent event,...

Muskogee GOP sets annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner for May 19th, Gov. Stitt as keynote speaker

The Muskogee County Republican Party has scheduled their annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner for Thursday May 19 at 7pm at the Muskogee Civic Center. Governor Kevin Stitt will be this year's keynote speaker.This event is the main fundraiser for the county party’s support of local and state Republican candidates. For something like...

Senate approves bill to allow for better use of school carryover funds

Senate approves bill to allow for better use of school carryover fundsOKLAHOMA CITY (March 21st) – The Senate approved legislation Monday by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, to give schools more flexibility in how and when they spend general carryover funds. SB 1126 would remove the carryover caps for such funds, allowing schools...

Now Public: State Auditor's response to persistent allegations by OCPAC President

The Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC) has a decades-long history of involvement in Oklahoma politics, most famously under founder and longtime president Charlie Meadows. Meadows retired from leading the group in 2015, and there seems to have been a shift in direction and focus under the latest OCPAC president,...

Cong. Paul Gosar endorses Alex Gray for Senate

CONGRESSMAN PAUL GOSAR ENDORSES ALEX GRAY FOR UNITED STATES SENATEOklahoma City, OK – Today, US Senate candidate from Oklahoma, Alex Gray, has announced the endorsement of staunch conservative Congressman Paul Gosar. Congressman Dr. Gosar has represented Arizona for the last decade, serving as the former chair of the Congressional...

Gann: Is Oklahoma being sold down the river for CANOO?

Is Oklahoma Being Sold Down the River For CANOO?by State Rep. Tom Gann (R-Inola)It would appear so.  Leadership at the Capitol in Oklahoma City are scheming to compete for a “Mystery” company everyone says is a lithium battery manufacturer that would supply CANOO, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. According to a 2/16/2022...

House passes three bills to reform public charter school oversight and regulations

This is instructive in the debate over SB 1647 as it relates to the school choice lobby's failure to acknowledge the concerns that were raised by the homeschooling community before the measure was amended in committee to preclude homeschool participation in the proposed Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts program.I...

Former Trump advisor LtGen Keith Kellogg endorses Alex Gray for Senate

LIEUTENANT GENERAL KELLOGG ENDORSES ALEX GRAYOklahoma City, OK (March 17th) – Today, former National Security official to President Trump Alex Gray, has announced another significant endorsement for his campaign. Lt. Gen. (Ret) Keith Kellogg, one of President Trump’s earliest supporters and advisers, has endorsed Alex, making...

Small: Could Biden have a worse energy policy?

Could Biden have a worse energy policy?By Jonathan SmallIf one deliberately tried to devise a U.S. energy policy that would harm national interests and working families alike, it would look a lot like the Biden administration’s current policy.The administration’s approach combines a willful ignorance of reality with a dismissive...

T.W. Shannon announces military advisory council for Senate campaign

T.W. Shannon Announces Military Advisory CouncilOklahoma City, Oklahoma — With support of military leaders from across the state, T.W. Shannon announces his military advisory council.“America’s military might is mission critical during these uncertain times. Having the advisement of these military leaders is invaluable during...

"He should resign": Bennett faces criticism among CD2 GOP officials

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman John Bennett has broken with traditional practices of the party office, endorsing multiple candidates for office (most prominently Jackson Lahmeyer against U.S. Sen. James Lankford), and is now running for Congress. Indications from his OKGOP staff, some of whom appear to be doing double...

Senate Appropriations chair breaks down state budget picture

Budget Break DownBy Sen. Roger Thompson, Senate Appropriations ChairWe are currently looking at the best budget numbers in the entire history of our state.  Last month, the Board of Equalization certified that the Legislature would have more than $10.4 billion available to appropriate for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins...

State Rep. Jim Olsen endorses Bennett for Congress

State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Sallisaw) has endorsed his State House predecessor John Bennett for the Congressional District 2 seat being vacated by Congressman Markwayne Mullin, who in turn is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jim Inhofe.Bennett held the State House District 2 seat from 2010 to 2018,...

Muskogee Police Chief Johnny Teehee joins 2nd District congressional race

Muskogee Police Chief Johnny Teehee has joined the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Markwayne Mullin, who is running for U.S. Senate. More here from the Muskogee Phoenix.He joins fellow Republican candidates State Sen. Marty Quinn, State Rep. Dustin Roberts, pharmacist Chris Schiller (also...