Trump Secretary of State Pompeo endorses Sen. James Lankford for reelection

We are just under a year out from the 2022 primary election here in Oklahoma, and the race for U.S. Senate is starting to take shape. Incumbent Republican James Lankford is running for a second full in the upper chamber, after winning a special election in 2014 to fulfill the last two years of Dr. Tom Coburn's second term. Tulsa pastor Jackson Lahmeyer is challenging Lankford from the right, with the support of QAnon-friendly crackpot and former Trump administration member Gen. Michael Flynn. Former Secretary of State Latest to Endorse Lankford OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 5th) – James Lankford’s campaign for U.S. Senate announced today that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is the latest to endorse his re-election bid. Secretary Pompeo also served in President Trump’s administration as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He previously served as a member of Congress from Kansas. Here’s what Mike had to say about supporting James: Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 09, 2021 at 01:00PM

Trump Secretary of State Pompeo endorses Sen. James Lankford for reelection Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

GOP legislators call for State Education Board to immediately and fully implement anti-CRT law

House Republicans Call for State Education Board to Take Immediate Action to Implement House Bill 1775 OKLAHOMA CITY (July 8th) – A number of House Republicans today joined Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, in calling on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister to take immediate action to fully implement House Bill 1775 at the July 12, 2021, State Board of Education special meeting. West is the author of House Bill 1775, signed into law by the governor this year. The bill took effect July 1. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the Senate author of the bill. The measure prohibits Oklahoma public schools, colleges and universities from incorporating messages that promote or encourage race and sex discrimination in any course instruction. It also ensures students are not characterized, classified, categorically assigned characteristics, or shamed based solely on their race or sex. It also prohibits state higher education institutions from requiring mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. Voluntary counseling is permitted. “Teachers deserve clear guidelines when they start this school year so they can obey the law created by the passage of House Bill 1775,” West said. “To delay the implementation of rules that follow the intent of the legislation is a disservice to students, parents and educators, causing needless fear and confusion over what is allowed and disallowed in our public school classrooms.” Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 09, 2021 at 08:20AM

GOP legislators call for State Education Board to immediately and fully implement anti-CRT law Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Poll: Stitt state's most popular elected official, COVID no longer a priority for voters

Amber Integrated Releases Voter Survey Tracking Oklahoma Political Environment OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma-based public affairs firm Amber Integrated has released a survey measuring voter attitudes regarding their elected officials, political issues and current events. This survey was conducted from June 24-June 28, 2021, and included a pool of 500 registered voters in Oklahoma. This survey has a margin of error of 4.38% at a 95% confidence interval.  Download the survey toplines and graphs here and crosstabs here. Key findings include: Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 07, 2021 at 01:41PM

Poll: Stitt state's most popular elected official, COVID no longer a priority for voters Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

April Grace joins race for State Superintendent

Believe it or not, but election season will be on us before we know it. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is term-limited and thus her position will be an open seat in next year's election. The first two candidates two throw their hats in the ring are both Republicans, including Shawnee Superintendent April Grace (you can read more from NonDoc on both here). The other declared candidate is John Cox, who was the Democratic nominee for State Superintendent in 2014 and 2018. Dr. April Grace Announces Run for State Superintendent  Tuesday, July 6, 2021 — Having raised over $100,000.00 with over 350  individual donors, Dr. April Grace, who is currently serving as the Shawnee Superintendent of  Public Schools, announces her run for Oklahoma State Superintendent. Grace has been part of  the education community for over 30 years. She has been a classroom teacher, building  administrator, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.   Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 07, 2021 at 08:26AM

April Grace joins race for State Superintendent Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OCPA column: Preserving Freedom

Preserving freedom By Jonathan Small In 1964, Ronald Reagan famously warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” As we celebrate our nation’s founding on July 4, Oklahomans should keep Reagan’s warning in mind. As a state, we have much to be thankful for this year, especially compared to many of our counterparts elsewhere. But there’s no guarantee that will last. We must protect our freedom, not take it for granted. Oklahoma’s unemployment rate of 4 percent ranks 12th lowest in the country. In other states, the rate still hovers around 8 percent. A major reason for that difference is that Oklahoma officials moved quickly to reopen the state as much as possible, as quickly as possible, following the COVID-19 shutdown in spring 2020, while states that continue to have high unemployment rates typically kept activity shut down much longer. State leadership, not blind luck, played a major role. Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 03, 2021 at 01:30PM

OCPA column: Preserving Freedom Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OSDH Office of Child Abuse Prevention seeks public input

OSDH Office of Child Abuse Prevention Seeks Input from Public OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) is seeking input from private and public agencies, organizations, citizens and consumers to monitor and enhance development of a comprehensive statewide child abuse prevention plan. OCAP requests input from individuals who can provide feedback by completing a brief, five- to seven-minute online survey – available in both English and Spanish – by clicking here.  “This is an opportunity for individuals in Oklahoma communities to share information on community resources that exist, and those that are needed. We want to know what you think works best to protect children in your community and across the state,” said Sherie Trice, Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grant coordinator for the Oklahoma State Department of Health. “We’ve also included a follow-up section on impact, challenges and strengths gleaned during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 02, 2021 at 07:44PM

OSDH Office of Child Abuse Prevention seeks public input Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Rep. Todd Russ announces campaign for State Treasurer

Todd Russ Announces 2022 Campaign for State Treasurer (June 29th) State Representative Todd Russ announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for State Treasurer next year. Russ is completing his sixth term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced earlier this month he would not seek reelection. “I am grateful for the leadership opportunities I have been given and the accomplishments during my time in the legislature.I believe my extensive background in banking and business, along with my understanding of the inner workings of state government, make me uniquely qualified to serve as Treasurer,” Russ said. “It would be my honor to continue to serve the citizens of Oklahoma as their next State Treasurer. I hold the same conservative values as the vast majority of Oklahomans. I know the value of hard work and the importance of standing for Godly values and honest, ethical leadership,” Russ added. Read more » by Jamison Faught - July 02, 2021 at 02:35PM

State Rep. Todd Russ announces campaign for State Treasurer Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico