Endorsements and Recommendations for the General Election

Tuesday, November 5th, is the Oklahoma General Election, and voters all across the state will be heading to the polls to decide who will hold elected offices for the next two to six years (depending on the position). Below are a few of my voting picks. I know I'm just a lowly blogger, but hopefully the information in this post will be helpful with your voting plans.

If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out. Early voting continues today (Saturday, Nov. 2nd), from 8am to 2pm, at these locations. Election day voting is 7am to 7pm at your polling place.

Before I start, let me explain how I approach voting.

I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican -- in that order. While I am a conservative's conservative, as longtime readers of my blog know well, it is my faith first and foremost that informs and directs my politics. I make no apologies for that.

Usually, the Republican nominee is the best option. The Democratic nominee is never an option, as it is an abomination to lend any support for the party that has made quasi-religious sacraments out of baby murder and the celebration of sexual perversion. 

That said, while I've been a conservative activist since I registered to vote, and served in multiple elected and appointed positions within the Oklahoma Republican Party (from county level to the state executive committee), I have few qualms about casting a protest vote for an Independent or Libertarian candidate.

If a Republican candidate or nominee fails to meet certain character expectations or policy positions, I may not be able to in good conscience lend them my support. In such cases, they must win without my support, while I either undervote (skip) their race or cast a protest vote. 

I owe my vote to no candidate. My loyalty is to God and His Word rather than to a political party. Principles are more important than politics. 

Now that that's out of the way, here are my thoughts on the various races this general election (bold names are candidates I enthusiastically support or feel strongly about): 

STATEWIDE RACES:

President: I think I'm leaving this one blank. Donald Trump will win Oklahoma by a landslide, typical for the GOP nominee since 2004. However, I cannot ignore the continued aggression he and his ticket have demonstrated against ending abortion, the greatest moral ill of our age. While he praises the end of Roe v. Wade, claiming the issue needs to be reverted to the states (a terrible argument in itself, as if the issue of the fundamental human right to life is subject to popular vote), he constantly undercuts efforts by individual states to end the murder of the preborn. At practically every point where he's been given a chance to voice opposition to abortion and favor to abolishing it, he has instead leaned into pro-abortion language. His advocacy for the expansion of IVF is something to be concerned about, as IVF has deep moral and ethical concerns. Even his running-mate, JD Vance, has flip-flopped on the life issue. Trump is leading the GOP into abandoning so many previously-held (or ostensibly held) positions on abortion, marriage, and the family.

It goes without saying that a vote for Kamala Harris is unconscionable, and, dare I say it, evil, given all the wickedness she stands for and revels in promoting.

I understand why many of my friends and philosophical comrades will vote for Trump. If I were in a state where my vote actually mattered on this race, I might have more to consider, but Oklahoma's outcome is certain, and a non-vote here for conscience sake doesn't hurt. I've been on both sides of this before, I know (protest vote in 2016, voted for him in 2020), but like I said, I understand and am not offended in the least by those who come to a more pro-Trump position than me.

Corporation Commissioner: I'll be voting for Libertarian candidate Chad Williams. The GOP nominee, Brian Bingman, will win in a landslide, but I seriously doubt he'll be the type of consumer/taxpayer advocate that outgoing Commissioner Bob Anthony is. Instead, the big public utilities and regulated industries will have a third (out of three) rubber-stamp for their wishes.

FEDERAL RACES:

2nd Congressional District: Republican Josh Brecheen. I personally know Josh and trust his character, judgment, and motivation. Brecheen has an excellent voting record; he's among the very top conservatives by any metric (100% with CPAC, 98% with Heritage, the lone 100% with The New American). He fought against bad legislation in the State Legislature and demonstrated a willingness to oppose leadership where needed, and has continued that track record in Washington, a rare thing on Capitol Hill.

Josh Brecheen is a hard-working, blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth guy. He loves God, and loves people. He's one of the most honest and respectful individuals you'll ever meet. He has more honesty, integrity, and character than anyone else I know in elected office or running for office. I wholeheartedly endorse Josh Brecheen for reelection to Congress.

1st/4th/5th Congressional Districts: with such narrow margins in the U.S. House, it's important for Republicans to win as many seats as possible. These remaining incumbent Oklahoma Republican members of Congress vary in the level of conservatism, with 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern being the only real dedicated conservative of the bunch, but they should all coast to victory. 

Judicial Retention ballot (statewide):

For more detail, see my post - Here's what you need to know about the judges on the ballot.

• Supreme Court - Noma D. Gurich: No - Do Not Retain
• Supreme Court - Yvonne Kauger: No - Do Not Retain
• Supreme Court - James E. Edmondson: No - Do Not Retain
• Court of Criminal Appeals - William J. Musseman: Yes - Retain
• Court of Criminal Appeals - Scott Rowland: Yes - Retain
• Court of Criminal Appeals - David B. Lewis: No - Do Not Retain
• Court of Civil Appeals - James R. Huber: Yes - Retain
• Court of Civil Appeals - Timothy J. Downing: Yes - Retain
• Court of Civil Appeals - Thomas E. Prince: Yes - Retain
• Court of Civil Appeals - Robert Bobby Bell: No - Do Not Retain
• Court of Civil Appeals - E Bay Mitchell, III: Yes - Retain
• Court of Civil Appeals - Brian Jack Goree: Yes - Retain

State Questions (statewide):

For more detail, see my post - Here's what you need to know about the state questions on the ballot.

• State Question 833: NO
• State Question 834: YES

Other races:

Generally speaking, as mentioned toward the top of this post, I recommend the Republican nominee for your local legislative or county races. Here are a few specific races I'd highlight that will be key for conservatives:

Senate District 3: Julie McIntosh (R). Defeated an incumbent in the GOP runoff. Julie will be a great addition for conservatives in the Senate.
Senate District 7: incumbent Sen. Warren Hamilton (R). One of the conservative stalwarts.
Senate District 15: Lisa Standridge (R). Open seat. Another addition for conservatives.
Senate District 21: Randy Grellner (R). Open seat. Looks like a solid conservative.
Senate District 35: Dean Martin (R). A Democrat-held seat in a lean-Republican district that shouldn't have been lost four years ago.
Senate District 43: Kendal Sacchieri (R). One of the primary shockers when she ousted a moderate incumbent; will be a fantastic addition for conservatives.

House District 41: incumbent Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader (R)

House District 43: incumbent Rep. Jay Steagall (R)

House District 79: Paul Hassink (R). The incumbent liberal Democrat (redundant, I know) won this seat in 2018, and narrowly held on in 2020, as well as against Hassink in 2022. It's time to put this district back in the red column.

House District 98: Gabe Woolley (R); defeated an incumbent in the runoff.

Of the two legislative chambers this year, conservatives appear to have a better shot at making changes in the Senate than they do the House. This would be a great start.

Tulsa City Council District 7: Eddie Huff (R). I miss his days on the radio... Huff would be fantastic on the Tulsa city council.

Other conservative resources:

• Michael Bates' picks at BatesLine.com (an election must-read)  
• iVoterGuide (a well-done voter guide put out by the American Family Association)
• Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association (OK2A) endorsements
• Oklahomans for Health & Parental Rights endorsements
• National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsements

Don't forget to vote, and vote right!