15th Street News - Voter Guide 2022

VOTER GUIDE

THE 15TH STREET NEWS

2022 GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES

Natalie Bruno

Libertarian

Age: 37

Education: Associate degree from Oklahoma State University’s OKC campus, alcohol and substance abuse counseling

Platform: Tribal sovereignty, supports abortion and recreational marijuana, wants to eliminate the State Board of Education to give control back to school districts, teachers and parents and end the militarization of law enforcement

Occupation: Director of digital strategy at Skyline Media Group

Joy Hofmeister

Democrat

Age: 58

Education: Bachelor of Education in 1988 from Texas Christian University, currently seeking a Master of Education in Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma

Platform: Fixing the teacher shortage, raising the minimum wage, solving the nursing shortage, raising the age to purchase a gun to 21, working alongside tribal governments, reversing the ban on abortion

Occupation: State Superintendent of Public Instruction: 2015-present, former owner of Kumon Math & Reading Centers in Tulsa

Kevin Stitt

Republican (Incumbent)

Age: 49

Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1996 from Oklahoma State University

Platform: Increasing Oklahoma jobs, public school funding, healthcare funding and wages for law enforcement, anti-abortion, supports the National Rifle Association and wants to change tribal gaming compact

Occupation: Governor of Oklahoma: 2019-present, Founder and former chairman of Gateway Mortgage

Ervin Stone Yen

Independent

Age: 67

Education: Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1977 and Doctor of Medicine in 1981 from the University of Oklahoma, Residency from 1981-1984 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Platform: Supports abortion rights, conservative Independent, raising teacher pay, leading with integrity and transparency

Occupation: Anesthesiologist at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center and St. Anthony Hospital since 1984

2022 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES

Melinda Alizadeh-Fard

Democrat

Age: 60

Education: Bachelor of Science in Photography in 1984 from Texas A&M University at Commerce, Juris Doctorate in 1999 from Oklahoma City University School of Law

Platform: Reproductive rights, integrity and accountability

Occupation: Immigration Attorney at the Law Office of Melinda Alizadeh-Fard from 2001 to present

Matt Pinnell Republican (Incumbent)

Age: 43

Education: Bachelor of Science in Advertising from Oral Roberts University

Platform: Raising teacher pay, supporting small business growth, expanding business recruitment and tourism, increasing government accountability, anti-abortion, supports gun rights

Political History: Appointed as the Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, oversaw Oklahoma’s rebranding efforts, signed off on millions to Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurants, brought the 2022 PGA Championship to Oklahoma

Chris Powell

Libertarian

Age: 51

Education: Attended Rose State College and Oklahoma City Community College in the 1990s Platform: “We don’t need a Lt. Governor”

Occupation: Bethany City Council member, Evidence Custodian, Former Marine

• Oklahoma driver license

• Oklahoma Identification Card

• United States passport

• United States military identification

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2.

Gentner F. Drummond

Republican

Age: 59

Education: Bachelor’s from OSU and Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Previous Runnings: Unsuccessfully ran for Attorney General in 2018

Occupation: Served as a pilot, mission commander and instructor in the U.S. Air Force during Gulf War, owner of Drummond Law Firm and director of Blue Sky Bank

Lynda Steele

Libertarian

Age: Information Unavailable

Education: Information Unavailable

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Previous Runnings: Has not previously run

Occupation: Served over 12 years in the Oklahoma National Guard, became the first female artilleryman on gun line in 2016

2022 SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION CANDIDATES

Jena Nelson

Democrat

Age: 44

Education: Northwestern State University

Educational History: In 2020, Nelson was recognized as Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Nelson has been selected to direct at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and was chosen to present at the International Music Festival in Brazil. Nelson is one of 45 national educators to receive the California Casualty and the National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Nelson was also awarded the Lauren Choate Resilience Award from the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy.

Occupation: English teacher at Classen SAS Middle School with over 16 years of experience

Ryan Walters

Republican

Age: 36

Education: Harding University

Educational History: Walters was a high school history teacher for eight years. He was awarded 2016 teacher of the year at McAlester High School and was a finalist for the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year award. He resigned from teaching in 2019. Walters was appointed to the Oklahoma Community Service Commission in 2018 and the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability in 2019. Also in 2019, he was appointed as the Executive Director of Oklahoma Achieves.

Occupation: Oklahoma Secretary of Education and Chief Executive Officer at Every Kid Counts Oklahoma

Will Daugherty

Libertarian

Age: Information Unavailable

Education: Earned an Associate of Science in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Demand Management from the Community College of the Air Force in 2016 and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2017

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Previous Runnings: Has not previously run

Occupation: Chair of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, Development Manager at FirstLight Home Care

Jack Henderson Democrat

Age: Information Unavailable

Education: Information Unavailable

Voting History: Information Unavailable

Previous Runnings: Tulsa City Council represented District 1 from 2004-2016. Lost re-election for Tulsa City Council in 2016

Occupation: Information Unavailable

Leslie Osborn

Republican

Age: 58

Education: Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University

Bills Sponsored: OK SB1294, Water and water rights; modifying procedures related to maximum annual yield in 2018; OK HB1340, Public retirement systems in 2018; OK SB1021, Indigent defense in 2018; OK SB1581, State employee benefits

Previous Runnings: In 2018, Represented District 47 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 20082018. Previously served as the deputy majority whip and assistant majority floor leader

Occupation: Owner of Osborn Pick-Up Accessories, elected as Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor in 2018

Whether you do or do not vote in a primary election has no bearing on your eligibility to vote in a general election. If you are properly registered, you are eligible to vote.

When are polling places open?

On regular and special election days, polling places are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. In-person absentee voting or “early voting” is also available for all elections. Please refer to the Oklahoma State Election Board’s early voting page for information on dates, times and locations.

Where do I vote?

You can find your polling place, sample ballot and more on the Oklahoma State Election Board website.

Will my ballot be counted if I don’t vote every race on it? What if I leave some races blank?

Whether you vote in all races that appear on your ballot, in only some of the races, or in only one race, any vote you cast is always counted. If you prefer not to vote for a candidate or a question, you are entitled to make that choice. It will not affect the counting of your votes in any other races on your ballot.

Combatting misinformation at the polls

Misinformation and disinformation are threats to election security. The State Election Board is vigilant in protecting election integrity through verified social media accounts and a secure website platform. Social media and other platforms are monitored for misinformation and disinformation. Action will be taken to correct and/or report the dissemination of false election and voter information.

2022 STATE TREASURER CANDIDATES

Charles de Coune

Democrat

Age: Information Unavailable

Education: Bachelor of Finance from the University of Central Oklahoma

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Occupation: Lending manager for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Gregory J. Sadler Libertarian

Age: Information Unavailable

Education: Bachelor of Graphic Communications from the University of Northern Iowa

Voting History: Has not previously held office Occupation: Account manager at a printing company

Todd Russ Republican

Age: 61

Education: Earned a Bachelor of International Finance, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a graduate degree from the University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking, University of Colorado

Bills Sponsored: OK HB2335, prevention and control of disease; OK HB2693, creating the Oklahoma Education Commission; and OK SB615, requiring restrooms or changing areas to be used by individuals based on their birth sex

Occupation: Summit Consulting, President and CEO of Washita State Bank in Burns Flat, Executive Vice President/Director of Frontier State Bank in Oklahoma City, Vice President of First National Bank & Trust Co. in Chickasha, Owner/Founder of Commercial Growers, Inc. in Cordell

Accuracy and Integrity Practices in

Oklahoma

• Both the State Election Board and County Election Board are bipartisan, consisting of members appointed from a list of nominees provided by the two largest, recognized political parties. The boards are comprised of at least one member from the party with the most registered voters in Oklahoma and at least one member from the party with the second most registered voters in Oklahoma.

• Each precinct has “built-in” bipartisan oversight as required by law. A minimum of three precinct officials – an Inspector, Judge, and Clerk –must be present at each precinct location. At least one official must be a registered member of the party with the most registered voters in Oklahoma and at least one official must be a registered member of the party with the second most registered voters in Oklahoma. The third member may be from any recognized party in Oklahoma or an Independent.

• Additional precinct officials may be from any recognized party in Oklahoma or an Independent.

• Standardized training for all Election Officials in the State ensures that

each Precinct Official has been given the knowledge to properly conduct the election.

• A vigorous pre-election testing program at the State Election Board and county election boards ensures the integrity of the election database, voting devices and ballots.

• Watchers, who must be commissioned by a candidate or a recognized party in Oklahoma, may observe the setup and closing of precincts on Election Day.

• Each county follows a detailed and thorough canvassing and certification process for each precinct and each race.

• The Secretary of the State Election Board may authorize one or more county election boards to conduct a post-election audit. Additionally, any candidate can request an official recount of his or her race by filing a petition and posting a filing fee with the appropriate Election Board no later than 5 p.m. the Friday following the election.

2022 SENATE CANDIDATES

Kenneth D. Blevins

Age: Information Unavailable

Education: Associate from Tulsa Community College

Voting History: Has not participated

Previous Runnings: Has not previously run

Occupation: Welder and pipefitter

Michael L. Delaney

Independent

Age: 58

Education: Information Unavailable

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Previous Runnings: Has not previously run Occupation: Information Unavailable

Voting Technology and Physical Security

• Oklahoma uses an auditable and verifiable, paper ballot-based voting system.

• All 77 county election boards use the eScan A/T, an optical scan voting device, manufactured by Hart InterCivic to tabulate ballots.

• Voting devices cannot be connected to the internet and have built-in security features.

• Ballots are secured and a strict chain of custody is maintained through the certification of the election.

• Both paper ballots and printed vote tallies are secured until results are certified. Additionally, paper ballots and printed vote tallies are retained up to 24 months following the election.

• Every step of the election process – from the precinct level to the state level – is protected by an intricate security plan.

• The Oklahoma State Election Board partners with numerous state and federal agencies to keep state and county election officials briefed on current threat environments, remedy vulnerabilities and monitor malevolent activities.

Madison Horn

Libertarian Democrat

Age: 32

Education: Does not have a college degree

Voting History: Has not previously voted on any bills

Previous Runnings: Has not previously served

• County election boards work with local law enforcement, local emergency management and other agencies to ensure election security.

Occupation: Global Cyber Portfolio Lead with Siemens Energy, Senior Manager of Cybersecurity and Privacy of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Security Consultant with FusionX

James Lankford Republican (Incumbent)

Age: 54

Education: Bachelor’s from the University of Texas in 1990 and Master’s from Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary

Voting History: Voted Nay on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Yea on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and Nay on Impeaching Donald J. Trump

Previous Runnings: Elected in the special election of 2014, currently in office until 2023

Occupation: U.S. Senator from Oklahoma from 2015 to present, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District from 2011 to 2015 and Youth Camp Director from 1996 to 2009

Warigia Margaret Bowman

Democrat

Age: 54

Education: Ph.D. from Harvard

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Previous Runnings: Has not previously run

Occupation: Professor at University of Tulsa College of Law

Kim David Republican

Age: 61

Education: Bachelor’s of Science from Oklahoma State

How does straight party voting work?

When you mark one of the straight party boxes, the machine will record a vote for the candidate from that party in any race where there is a candidate from that party.

If you mark the straight party box but also mark the box next to a candidate from a different party lower on the ballot, the individual vote in that race will overrule the straight party choice in that race only.

You will still need to mark non-partisan races such as judicial retention and any ballot questions if you want a vote counted in those races.

Voting History: Voted Yea on an act prohibiting abortion, Yea on public finance for improvement on Oklahoma Capitol

Previous Runnings: State Senate Majority Leader from 2010 to 2022

Occupation: Owner of a property management business

2022 US REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 4

Mary Brannon

Democrat

Age: 70

Education: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1976 and a Master’s in Human Relations in 1998

Voting History: Has not previously held office

Previous Runnings: Ran as Democrat in the general election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 4 in 2018, ran again as Democrat in the general election for the Oklahoma 4th Congressional District 4 in 2020

Occupation: Mediator for the Oklahoma Supreme Court

Tom Cole

Republican (Incumbent)

Age: 73

Education: Graduated with Bachelor in Arts in History from Grinnell College in 1971, Master of Arts from Yale University in 1974, Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1984

Voting History: Voted Nay for American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Voted Nay for American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, Voted Nay Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021

Previous Runnings: Elected to the Oklahoma Senate as a Republican from 1988-1991 and served as Oklahoma’s Secretary of State from 1995-1999

Occupation: U.S. Representative for Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District: 2003-Present

SENATE CANDIDATES (SPECIAL ELECTION)

Kendra Horn

Age: 46

Education: Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 2001, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tulsa in 1998

Platform: Supports abortion rights and gun control, increasing defense spending, investing in renewable energy, increasing and regionalizing minimum wage

Occupation: Co-Founder of Women Lead Oklahoma, Attorney, Former Senior Consultant for The Mettise Group, Former Executive Director of Sally’s List

Markwayne Mullin

Republican

Age: 45

Education: Associate in Applied Science in Construction Technology in 2010 from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Attended Missouri Valley College in 1996

Platform: Anti-abortion and supports American-manufactured energy, gun rights and building the border wall

Previous runnings: Ran for U.S. Representative for District 2 in 2013 held since

Occupation: U.S. Representative for District 2: 2013 to present, Rancher, Owner of Mullin Plumbing, Mullin Properties, Mullin Environmental, and Mullin Services

Robert Murphy

Democrat Libertarian

Age: 74

Education: Attended the University of Oklahoma and San Diego College of Engineering

Platform: Wants to address wealth inequality and political corruption, dismantle legal structures that allow the banks, military, Congress, corporations and mainstream media to control people, cease “frivolous military actions to protect or promote international corporations,” avoid overdependence on foreign energy sources and rely on fossil fuels until nuclear plants become the energy standard

Occupation: Retired Data Technician from the University of Oklahoma

Ray Woods Independent

Age: 87

Education: Information Unavailable

Platform: Wants to allow states to establish a gold and silver banking system and supports eliminating the CIA, FBI and similar agencies

Occupation: Owner of Woods Manufacturing, retired and formerly self-employed in the oil industry

All information was pulled from the Oklahoma State Election Board, Ballotpedia, Campaign Websites and various social media.