EDITOR’S LETTER
In this issue of Muve Magazine award-winning journalist, Deon Osborne, sits down with Retired Oklahoma State Senator Connie Johnson to discuss her recent run for governor and what she envisions the future of the Oklahoma Democratic Party will be. We then tune into Jrod’s frequency in an exclusive interview about his extraordinary career in radio and the community beyond the studio. Followed up with an OKC Metro Voting Guide. At Muve Mag we endeavor to share with our readers narratives that celebrate resilience, candor, creative expression and ultimately that which unites us all, our humanity. “In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” - Thurgood Marshall As Always. Read. Enjoy. Share. Andre’ LaMont
MUVEMAG.COM EDITOR: ANDRE’ LAMONT PUBLISHER: MUVE MEDIA WRITERS: DEON OSBORNE ANDRE’ LAMONT IMAGE CONTRIBUTIONS: DEON OSBORNE CONNIE JOHNSON JROD
Muve Magazine is published by Muve Media. All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Muve Mag. While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which Muve Media LLC holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of Muve Mag or its staff and we disclaim liability for those impressions.
CONTENTS/////
CULTURE | CONNIE JOHNSON
POLITICAL | VOTER GUIDE
MUSIC | JROD
6
18
26
THE AUDACITY OF CONNIE JOHNSON Reflections on Loss, Legacy and the Future of Oklahoma Democrats
INTERVIEW/WORDS: DEON OSBORNE
CULTURE
F
ormer Oklahoma state Senator
Connie Johnson sat down inside Black Wall Street’s Fixins Soul Kitchen on a hot July afternoon. She gave a warm smile. Her orange shirt and headwrap underneath a white shawl matched the logo of the water bottle next to her. But her calm demeanor didn’t match the turbulent loss she suffered during the 2026 Democratic Primary election for Oklahoma Governor in June. Johnson told Muve Mag, in an exclusive interview, about feeling overlooked in the race by much of the media, dismissed by what she calls “The Gatekeepers,” and mistreated by members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, where she once served as vice chair and spent decades as a progressive voice in the Oklahoma Legislature. Yet she says those experiences only underscore why her candidacy was necessary. Consistent with the audacity and resilience that has defined her public life, Johnson remains committed to speaking for people whose voices are too often ignored, and says her work, which has never ended with any past election, still won’t with this one.
CULTURE
“It’s always been about recognizing that
Who is Connie Johnson?
holding public office is one of the more effective ways to advocate for those who
The Holdenville-born, Frederick Dou-
are the least, lost, the last, and the left
glass High school-graduating, and Ivy
out, and that’s what my campaign has
League educated-wielding OKC East-
always focused on: the things that are
sider served District 48 in the Okla-
hurting everyday Oklahomans,” Johnson
homa Senate from 2005 to 2014, after
told Muve Mag in an exclusive inter-
having worked for every previous sen-
view.
ator to hold the seat, and written public policy for 24 years. She maintained her
Now, she’s working independently to
seat for nearly 10 years until her his-
expand what leadership looks like.
tory-making unsuccessful run for the
Johnson offered a vision that embraces
United States Senate.
Black women candidates who are dismissed as “unsafe” for a general elec-
Johnson experienced the Oklahoma
tion, and she’s seeking out the voters
Legislature’s switch from predominant-
that party leaders fail to reach.
ly Democratic to predominantly Re-
CULTURE
“It’s always been about recognizing that holding public office is one of the more effective ways to advocate for those who are the least, lost, the last, and the left out, and that’s what my campaign has always focused on: the things that are hurting everyday Oklahomans.”
CULTURE publican, coinciding with the election of
It’s because of those successes that
President Barack Obama in 2008. Re-
Johnson believes, were she able to
publicans won a majority of seats in the
make it to a general election, she
Oklahoma Legislature for the first time
would garner statewide support.
in state history and went on to expand their supermajority rule ever since.
“I believe I could have had a chance for crossover votes, and in fact, I was in-
That didn’t stop Johnson from fighting
formed that a lot of support was going
for what she believes is right. In 2012,
to my opponent because they felt that
she gained national headlines when
she would be easier to beat. You know
she responded to Republican attempts
that always comes out in these kinds of
to criminalize abortion at fertilization.
elections,” Johnson said.
She proposed an amendment that would criminalize men who ejaculate
Ultimately, she still thinks Oklaho-
anywhere outside a woman’s vagina.
ma is under the thumb of MAGA. Her thoughts on the two Republicans run-
The amendment failed, but it drew na-
ning for governor?
tionwide attention to what Johnson described in the Guardian as “absurdity,
“I like to say Senator Mazzie’s crazy,
duplicity and lack of balance inherent
and A.G. Drummond is corrupt. Who are
in the policies of this state in regard to
they going to choose between the two
women.”
of those? That’s a horse race. I have no idea.”
She advocated for legalizing medical cannabis years before voters approved
Johnson believes Obama’s presidency
it in 2018. Despite having never won a
permanently changed Oklahoma poli-
statewide seat, her stances on criminal
tics.
justice reform and healthcare have repeatedly matched the pulse of the peo-
“We went Republican for the first time
ple when Oklahoma voters approved
in history because of that black man
her criminal justice reform legislative
being in the White House. It just is what
proposals in 2010, 2016 and 2018, and
it is, right? The first and only red state
Medicaid expansion in 2020.
where he did not win one county, and
CULTURE we were a Democrat-majority registered
tion Johnson gained the least amount
state. So, to what extent that may have
of votes out of her three gubernatorial
changed? It doesn’t appear to have be-
runs. She received only 22% of the vote
cause we’ve had Republican statewide
against Oklahoma House of Represen-
elected officials ever since. I don’t think
tatives Democratic Leader Cyndi Mun-
there is a Democrat statewide elected
son in the June primary. The 41-year-old
official serving right now.”
moderate earned nearly 75% and will face either Republican Genter Drum-
On Running for Oklahoma Governor
mond, the state’s attorney general, or Republican Mike Mazzei, a Trump-
The latest results from the Oklahoma
backed former state Senator with whom
Election Board show that in this elec-
Johnson previously served in the Sen-
CULTURE ate, in the general election on Novem-
race, Johnson lost roughly 39% to 61%
ber 3.
against former Democratic state Attorney General Drew Edmonson. Edmond-
In both 2018 and 2022, Johnson lost to
son went on to lose roughly 42% to 54%
a moderate Democratic candidate who
against incoming Republican Governor
went on to lose to the Republican nom-
Kevin Stitt, with one other candidate
inee in the general election. According
taking the remaining votes.
to results from the Oklahoma Election Board, Johnson’s percentage losses
Four years later, in 2022 Johnson lost
were near the percentage losses of her
roughly 39% to 61% against Joy Hoff-
opponents when they faced Republi-
meister-A former Republican State
cans in the general election.
Superintendent who Democratic lead-
For instance, in the 2014 US Sen-
ership convinced to switch parties
ate Race and the 2018 Gubernatorial
and run as Democrat, leading to an
CULTURE
all-time low 17% Democratic turnout
periences, because I’ve run statewide
in 2022. Hoffmeister went on to lose
now four times. It’s never been about the
against Stitt roughly 42% to 56%. Other
race itself or the contest,” Johnson said,
candidates shaved off the remaining
pointing to her three runs for governor
few votes. Despite the losses, Johnson
and her 2014 run for U.S. Senate.
doesn’t regret running this year. Some questioned why she decided “I felt that it was a privilege and a re-
to run after entering the 2026 primary
sponsibility to have been in that race.
election late.
That you know, based on my past ex-
CULTURE
“It’s because I could. I had the qualifica-
ma politics, a Black woman Democrat-
tions. I paid the money, but I also knew
ic candidate won a statewide primary
that it was a means to an end to advo-
election in June, but some Democrats
cate for the Oklahomans who are most
are supporting one of her Republican
often overlooked and who I think I’m
opponents.
afraid will continue to be overlooked, just based on what I hear right now on
Dr. Jennettie Marshall, the Black wom-
the campaign trail,” Johnson said.
an, is a longtime Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education member who won
One of the biggest hurdles she sees
the Democratic primary for State Su-
to getting more racially diverse candi-
perintendent in June. She will face
dates elected statewide isn’t the vot-
whichever Republican wins the August
ers. It’s the Oklahoma Democratic Party
25 runoff in the November general elec-
leadership.
tion. Her opponent will either be Trumpbacked Republican James Taylor, a
Some Oklahoma Dems sour on Dr.
Black man, or moderate Republican
Jennettie Marshall
Robert Franklin, a white man.
In a surprising turn of events in Oklaho-
After Marshall’s Democratic primary
CULTURE win, the chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party sent out an email calling Marshall “divisive.” Some Democrats on social media have urged their neighbors to vote for Republican Robert Franklin over Jennettie Marshall if those two match up in the general election. The controversy surrounding Marshall stems from criticism of her past actions and fears of another extreme Republican leading the state’s public school system. Some see James Taylor as a return to former Public Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. He faced calls for his resignation and a state investigation while using the position to promote himself and his pro-Trump views. He also over-
the audit and the City Elders event ap-
saw the decline of the state’s education
pearance as “fulfilling her fiduciary du-
ranking to 50th in the nation.
ties.” She promised to refuse their support if the group endorses her.
Meanwhile, Marshall faces criticism for previously working with Republicans
For Connie Johnson, the lack of support
to force a state audit of Tulsa Public
for another statewide Black Democrat-
Schools and for speaking at an event
ic candidate speaks volumes.
hosted by the City Elders, a Christian-extremist group that seeks to “es-
“The way that they’re being disparaged
tablish a divine order in spiritual and
by the people, the conversations, is so
civil governance.”
typical. It is so indicative of the backdrop that we know we’re talking about, and
She defended her record in an interview with the Tulsa Flyer, referring to
that’s race,” Johnson said.
CULTURE they’re gonna do.” Johnson said. “What do I want for November? First of all, I want the people to ask questions before then, and then make informed decisions. What do I think is going to happen? I think the reality of Oklahoma being a red state is real.” Solving Low Voter Turnout Despite the obstacles and party in-fighting, Johnson sees hope in her efforts to support the next generation. She’s working to mobilize voters around the upcoming ballot measures. Some Democrats have launched a campaign urging Republicans to vote for Robert Franklin in the Republican primary on August 25. However, there’s a chance it could backfire. Republicans who see Democrats warming up to a moderate candidate could become more motivated to elect the extremist candidate. It’s possible voters in November could be faced with two Black candidates for State Superintendent, Dr. Jennettie Marshall and James Taylor. If that happens, “I don’t know what
Along with choosing runoff candidates on August 25, voters will decide on State Questions. SQ844 asks voters to approve a manufacturing tax exemption that critics warn could negatively impact school budgets. SQ 846 would require voters to provide proof of identity in any elections in the state. “Because August is predicted to be a dismally low turnout vote, we’re going to be working this system again through groups like churches, analytic councils, congregate living centers, and hopefully getting people to vote. If we can demonstrate that we were able to defeat those state questions because we had a sol-
CULTURE
id block of voters, then that in itself will
would ever run for office again. Right
be a legacy. But then to do it again in
now, she’s focused on leading from
November, and I don’t care how people
the outside. In an era where the courts,
vote. I just want them to vote,” Johnson
state legislature and the federal gov-
said.
ernment are dismantling voting rights
She wants to see civic engagement revived in traditional Black spaces. “I wrote the Juneteenth legislation for Senator Maxine Horn and Representative Don Ross. And out of all of the 1000s
protections, Johnson wants her legacy to be the opposite. “That it’s people caring and using their power. You know, I’ve been audacious in terms of the seats that I’ve sought, and
of celebrations and the 1000s of people
bold, and relentless, and determined
who come, nobody talks about voting,”
because I could. I want people to vote
Johnson said. “When in fact, getting cit-
because they can. Right now, they’re try-
izenship was about the right to partici-
ing to take away our ability to vote, and
pate and the responsibility to vote.”
if people don’t wake up and start to vote,
Johnson wouldn’t say whether she
they will.”
OKC METRO VOTING GUIDE A guide to the runoff races, state questions and precinct-specific local elections.
Who may vote on what?
GUIDE
The August 25 election combines closed partisan runoff primaries, two statewide constitutional questions and selected nonpartisan local elections. No single metro-wide ballot contains every contest in this guide.
GUIDE
The Statewide Runoff Contests The Republican ballot contains four statewide executive runoffs. The Democratic ballot contains the U.S. Senate runoff. The winner of each runoff becomes that party’s nominee for the November 3 general election.
BALLOT EFFECT A runoff vote does not elect the officeholder. It selects the party nominee who advances to November, except where no general-election opponent or other legal circumstance makes the nomination effectively decisive.
GUIDE
State Question 844 Legislative Referendum 378 • Manufacturing property-tax reimbursement
What exists now? Oklahoma’s Constitution permits a five-year ad valorem, or property-tax, exemption for qualifying manufacturing facilities. Because exempt property does not generate the normal local property-tax revenue, the state currently reimburses affected schools, counties, cities and other listed local entities.
What SQ 844 would change? SQ 844 would amend Article 10, Section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution and authorize the Legislature to establish the levels and methodologies used to calculate those reimbursements. It would replace the existing constitutional arrangement that has been understood to require reimbursement of the full qualifying loss.
Why supporters may favor it - It could let lawmakers control program costs and address large reimbursements concentrated in individual counties. - It could allow the reimbursement formula to respond to changing fiscal conditions.
Why opponents may reject it - The amendment does not itself specify the future reimbursement formula or guarantee full replacement of local revenue. - Schools, counties and other local entities could receive less money if lawmakers reduce reimbursement levels. MOST IMPORTANT DISTINCTION SQ 844 does not repeal the five-year manufacturing exemption. It changes who controls the reimbursement formula and how firmly full reimbursement is protected.
GUIDE
State Question 846 Legislative Referendum 380 • Constitutional voter-identification requirement
What exists now? Oklahoma law already requires voters to provide proof of identity. Current statutory procedures include accepted identification and a provisional-ballot process for a voter who cannot provide the usual proof at the polling place.
What SQ 846 would change? SQ 846 would add a proof-of-identity requirement to the Oklahoma Constitution for voting in elections conducted by county election boards or the State Election Board. It directs the Legislature to enact laws specifying the proof required and applies the constitutional requirement to methods of voting authorized by law.
Why supporters may favor it - It would make the general identification requirement harder to remove without another vote of the people. - Supporters view identification as an election-integrity safeguard.
Why opponents may reject it - Oklahoma already has a voter-identification law, making the amendment unnecessary in their view. - The constitutional language leaves the Legislature broad authority to define acceptable proof and could support more restrictive future rules. MOST IMPORTANT DISTINCTION A YES vote constitutionalizes the requirement but does not freeze every present-day ID rule into the Constitution. A NO vote does not automatically eliminate Oklahoma’s existing voter-ID law.
GUIDE
Metro Legislative and County Runoffs Only voters residing in the named district or county commission district will see these contests.
What these offices do - State senators and representatives write state laws, appropriate state funds and vote on constitutional referrals. Senators act on many gubernatorial appointments. County commissioners oversee county budgets, roads and bridges, purchasing, facilities and other county functions within Oklahoma law.
GUIDE
Metro Ballot Directory By County Every county below also has SQ 844 and SQ 846. Republican voters may receive the four statewide Republican runoffs; Democratic voters may receive the U.S. Senate Democratic runoff. District contests appear only where precinct boundaries overlap the district.
BOUNDARY WARNING Municipal, school and legislative boundaries do not always follow county or ZIP-code lines. A county listing means some county voters may see the item—not that every county voter will.
GUIDE
Selected Local Propositions City of Choctaw Choctaw voters will decide whether to impose an additional three-quarter-cent sales tax beginning January 1, 2027. The tax would last 20 years or until related debt is retired, whichever occurs first. Listed purposes include a recreation center, police facility, Fire Station No. 1 remodeling, fire apparatus and associated public infrastructure and reserves.
City of Del City Del City voters will consider up to $3 million in general-obligation bonds for public-safety projects. The published project schedule lists a fire pumper truck, ten police vehicles, a fire brush-rescue vehicle, outdoor warning-system improvements, issuance costs and contingency funds.
City of The Village The election list identifies 13 propositions, including Proposition 1 concerning a lodging tax. Because the election list does not state the complete legal effects of Propositions 2–13, voters should read the official sample-ballot language before deciding.
Other Metro Propositions The State Election Board lists propositions for Yukon, Noble Public Schools, Little Axe Public Schools, Minco, Blanchard, Newcastle Public Schools, Tryon, Sterling Public Schools and Fletcher Public Schools. Their full terms—including tax rate, bond amount, duration and permitted uses—must be taken from the applicable official proposition or precinct sample ballot.
T
w
After on th micro
INTERV
TUNED IN
w/ JROD
r more than two decades in Oklahoma City radio, JRod reflects he people, chemistry and community work that made the ophone matter.
VIEW/WORDS: ANDRE’ LAMONT
MUSIC
O
emotion.” Each person on the show
riginally from Cincinnati, JRod be-
brought a different point of view. One
gan at WKRQ in his hometown before
voice could guide the conversation,
radio took him through Salt Lake City,
another could draw from family life
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Wichi-
and current events, and JRod could
ta. He arrived in Oklahoma City in 2002
supply the punch line, story or quick
after building experience in both night
connection that kept the exchange
and morning radio. The city became
moving. “I can talk to anybody in any
more than another stop on a broad-
situation,” he said. “It just worked with
caster’s résumé. “The people in Oklaho-
the three of us for a long, long time.”
ma are what make this state what it is,” he said. After living on both coasts and
When the lineup later changed, the
in several markets, he realized he had
team looked for someone who would
spent more time in Oklahoma than in
add a new life experience rather than
Cincinnati. The reason he stayed was
imitate what had come before. The
simple: “I just stay because of the peo-
eventual addition brought stories from
ple.”
the dating world while other members of the show were married and raising
Finding the Morning-Show Chemistry
children. For JRod, that contrast mattered: everyone had “a different story, a
JRod initially worked nights at KJ
different avenue and a different way” to
103. Within roughly a year, his earlier
contribute.
morning-show experience in Wichita opened another door. He was asked
The Reality Behind Local Radio
whether he would be willing to move into mornings and work with an es-
One of the biggest misconceptions,
tablished local personality. He agreed,
JRod said, is that local radio personal-
and the team that emerged eventually
ities make a great deal of money. “The
found a natural rhythm. He describes
truth of it is, there’s not a lot of money in
successful radio with a compact for-
it,” he said. “Most of us do it because we
mula: “Entertainment equals evoked
love it.”
MUSIC FASHION MUSIC
For him, that love showed up in con-
Community Beyond the Studio
versations with people who might otherwise feel unseen.
JRod’s proudest memories are not limited to celebrity interviews or on-
He spoke about friends lost to suicide
air moments. He points instead to
and the importance of remembering
breast-cancer awareness efforts, can-
that no one can know what another
cer walks at OU Medical Center and
person is carrying. He was willing to
Habitat for Humanity builds.
stop, listen and try to make someone smile. The best part of the work, he said, “Was giving listeners a moment of release from whatever they were facing.”
He especially valued working beside listeners and getting “sweaty, gross and dirty” while helping another person
MUSIC
move closer to the American dream of
what we tried to do.”
having a home. Those events turned an audience into a group of neighbors do-
What Comes Next
ing practical work together. JRod has rebuilt his home studio and A Job Expanded by Digital Media
says he has been approached about group podcast projects. He also allud-
As the company evolved from Clear
ed to web-hosted and YouTube con-
Channel Radio into iHeartRadio, the
cepts involving celebrities, though he
local job also expanded. By 2026, JRod
was not yet able to discuss the details.
said, “Employees were increasingly expected to take on digital responsibilities
He believes radio has prepared him
such as writing blogs and creating so-
for much more than another on-air
cial-media content. Some resisted the
role. “A broadcaster who has learned to
change; others were already doing that
promote, create and connect with limit-
work naturally and advanced with it.”
ed resources can also be a strong marketer,” he said. For now, he is enjoying
The larger request, as he understood
the summer with his children while
it, was for more personality and a more
remaining alert to what is next. “I’m
authentic view of the people behind
always looking for the next opportunity
the broadcast. “People want to see the
and the next way to grow,”
real side of everything,” he said. “That’s
he said.