Charlie Meadows' 2016 primary picks

Charlie’s Picks

by Charlie Meadows (former president of OCPAC)

It has become a tradition for me to publish my political tip sheet before important elections.  These are my opinions of who I believe ought to win, not necessarily who I believe will win.  This is a very important election cycle as we have the largest number of open seats since 2004, the first year term limits were fully implemented.

I will be a little more limited this year as I simply have not done the volume of research I have done in the past.  Some folks may have information to which I am not privy and therefore have a different opinion, which is just fine.  I will do the Oklahoma Legislature first, then the congressional seats.

Oklahoma Senate

SD 1  (Vinita, Jay, Afton, etc.)  YOUR CHOICE - Of the three Republican candidates running, none of them came to OCPAC for our grueling interview process.

SD 3  (Stillwell, Grove, Beggs, etc.)  WAYNE SHAW - Senator Shaw is the incumbent with a lifetime average of 70% on the Conservative Index, which is not great, but acceptable to OCPAC.

SD 9  (Muskogee, Tahlequah, etc.)  YOUR CHOICE - I could not endorse either of these candidates as one is arrogant and full of selfish ambition, while the other is one of the radical government education candidates wanting to dump tons of additional taxes down the deep, dark hole of education without the reforms necessary to produce good quality education.

SD 12  (Sapulpa, Bristow, Oilton, etc.)  YOUR CHOICE - Rep. Leewright scored a paltry 53% on the 2015 Conservative Index.  I know nothing about the other candidate.

SD 13  (Ada, Pauls Valley, etc.)  YOUR CHOICE - None of the three candidates came to OCPAC for our interview process.  I would think Jet McCoy (of rodeo and TV fame) would have the best shot at winning.  McCortney is one of the radical government school candidates.  I know nothing about Mr. Howard.

SD 15  (Norman, Moore)  ROB STANDRIDGE - Senator Standridge has a 75% lifetime average on the Conservative Index.  He is one of the better Republican Senators and should be re-elected.

SD 17  (Shawnee, Choctaw, Luther, etc.)  BROOKE McGOWAN - OCPAC endorsed Brooke McGowan after our interview process.  Good lawmakers are people who will read and attend meetings and seminars to educate themselves.  As an example Brooke and her husband attended a seminar hosted by Pastor Paul Blair about a year and a half ago on the Islamic agenda to take over America.  Brooke and Paul already have a working relationship, and I believe they will work well together in the Senate.  On the other hand, Senator Sharp was OCPAC’s RINO (Republican In Name Only) award winner last year.  His score of 50% on the Conservative Index ranked him almost at the bottom—thirty-eight out of forty.  I warned people four years ago that Sharp was not a conservative, but not enough voters listened, and he beat the conservative candidate by less than one hundred votes in the primary run-off.  If you live in the district, please vote for Brooke McGowan to improve the quality of the Senate.

SD 19  (Enid area)  GREG INGLE - OCPAC endorsed Greg Ingle for the seat.  I also met with Dr. Vanhooser, one of the other strong candidates in the race.  Should he win the primary, I think he could also make a fine lawmaker and provide a second opinion to the liberal Dr. Yen in the Senate.

SD 21  (Stillwater)  YOUR CHOICE - I know nothing about the two Republicans, but it would be hard for either of them to be much worse than the retiring Sen. Halligan who turned out to be a disaster.

SD 23  (Blanchard, Tuttle, Chickasha, etc.)  KEVIN CROW - Crow received OCPAC’s endorsement and is an inspiring history professor at the university in Chickasha.  While he was weak on educational choice, he is very principled and will not be a go-along-to-get-along Republican if elected.  The Senate needs an independent personality like Kevin.  He is already well educated on many of the issues faced by the members of the legislature.

SD 25  (Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, etc.)  JOE NEWHOUSE – Joe is a former staffer of Congressman Bridenstine.  As a navy pilot, Newhouse actually has a few more carrier landings than Bridenstine who has about 180.  I believe Mr. Newhouse does not yet have a fully developed conservative ideology, but I found him very open and teachable.

SD 27  (Woodward, Moreland, and the panhandle)  YOUR CHOICE - Sen. Marlatt has a 62% lifetime Conservative Index score, which is only a couple of points above our RINO nominee threshold.  I know nothing of his challenger.

SD 29  (Bartlesville area)  YOUR CHOICE - Oliver is the radical government education candidate, and I know nothing about Julie Daniels.

SD 31  (Duncan, Elgin, Addington, Cash area)  YOUR CHOICE - Hasenbeck and Kidd are the radical government education candidates, and I know nothing about Mr. Rodriguez.

SD 33  (Broken Arrow area)  NATHAN DAHM - Sen. Dahm was OCPAC’s Senator of the Year for 2015 and was previously our Freshman of the Year.  With a lifetime average of 98% on the Conservative Index, he may be the finest in the Senate.  You can bet the two challengers are liberal compared to Nathan Dahm.

SD 37  (Sand Springs, Tulsa area)  YOUR CHOICE - Senator Newberry scored a 53% on the Conservative Index this year and has a 64% lifetime average.  Mr. Jackson is a radical government education candidate, and Mrs. Patterson got a late start and lacks resources.

SD 39  (East Tulsa)  AMANDA TEEGARDEN - As one of the founders and executive director of OK-SAFE (Oklahomans for Sovereignty and Free Enterprise), Amanda is supremely prepared to be one of the finest senators that could be elected.  She is also one of the finest researchers I have ever met.  She is head and shoulders above the other candidates and was endorsed by OCPAC.

SD 41  (Central & East Edmond)  PAUL BLAIR - This is probably the most important Senate race in the state for this election cycle.  Paul has a well-developed conservative ideology, natural leadership skills, and strong Christian character.  Mr. Pugh is probably a nice fellow, but an interview in the Edmond Sun reveals he would care more about going along with establishment Republican leadership than being an independent lawmaker representing the people of the district.  Mr. Tallent is not a conservative, but a progressive Republican.

SD 43  (Purcell, Washington, Duncan area)  COREY BROOKS - While Senator Brooks’s lifetime average of 67% on the Conservative Index leaves a lot to be desired, his opponent, Mr. Scott, is one of the radical government education candidates.

SD 45  (Southwest OKC & Mustang)  KYLE LOVELESS - Senator Loveless scored an acceptable 80% on the Conservative Index this year.  His work to bring justice to asset forfeiture laws is extremely valuable, and we must keep him in office to continue that fight.

Oklahoma House of Representatives

While we have a good crop of Senate candidates, I was disappointed with the caliber of the House candidates, at least of the ones that came to OCPAC.  Many did not attend; therefore, I will only address races I know something about.  In addition, while there will be a lot of Republican candidates on the ballot in November against Democrats, many of the primaries were not contested.

HD 27  (Tecumseh, Wanette, Norman area)  Representative Cockroft has a 78% lifetime average on the Conservative Index and is one of the most conservative members of the legislature.

HD 36  (Pawhuska, Hominy, Skiatook area)  SEAN ROBERTS - Representative Roberts has a lifetime Conservative Index score of 76%, which is good enough to warrant his re-election.

HD 39  (Northwest Edmond)  MICHAEL BUOY - While I was disappointed that Mr. Buoy did not attend our interview process, he has attended several other meetings, as well as the Patriot Pastors luncheons.  I know he has been given important materials to read to fully develop a strong conservative ideology.

HD 43 (Yukon area)  JOHN PAUL JORDAN - Representative Jordan scored 83% his first year in office.  The other two primary candidates are very liberal compared to John Paul.

HD 50 (Duncan, Comanche area)  DENNIS JOHNSON - Rep. Johnson has a lifetime average on the Conservative Index of 78%, so should be re-elected.

HD 58 (Meno, Cherokee, Woodard area)  LUKE DOANE - OCPAC endorsed Mr. Doane after he really impressed our members.  He is very sharp and has a conservative ideology far more developed than most candidates.  His up-side is huge!

HD 60 (Hinton, El Reno, western Yukon area) - YOUR CHOICE - Two of the three candidates, both teachers, came to OCPAC for our interview process.  Neither of the candidates had raised much financial support, and each had ideological strengths and weaknesses.  OCPAC did not endorse a candidate this race.

HD 66 (Sand Springs area)  Rep. Jadine Nollan is the incumbent, scoring a paltry 23% on this year’s Conservative Index.  Mrs. DeLozier, her challenger, came to OCPAC, and our members decided not to endorse her.  Mrs. DeLozier got a late start and has not raised much support, making her chances slim.  Delozier was a very pleasant person.

HD 70 (east central Tulsa area)  KEN WALKER - Rep. Walker has an 81% lifetime average on the Conservative Index and should therefore be re-elected.

HD 82 (OKC, West Edmond area)  KEVIN CALVEY - Kevin scored 80% on the Conservative Index this year and therefore should be re-elected.

HD 83 (Edmond area)  RANDY McDANIEL - Rep. McDaniel scored 90% on last year’s Conservative Index and certainly should be re-elected.  His work to restore the viability of Oklahoma’s retirement funds without a tax increase has been vital.

HD 84 (Bethany, Warr Acres area)  YOUR CHOICE - OCPAC members decided not to endorse Mr. Cagle.  The other candidates support the radical government education agenda.  Look for Tammy West to win this one without a run-off.

HD 85 (North central OKC)  Nick Berry has attended OCPAC meetings on several occasions, and we even had candidate forum between Nick Berry and Matt Jackson.

HD 87  (OKC, Warr Acres area) - I strongly disagree with the members of OCPAC who did not endorse Mr. Granger, though the vote was very close.  Based on our lengthy survey and tough interview process, there were only a couple of issues of concern with Mr. Granger.  It is my hope that our members do not fall into the trap of perfection becoming the enemy of good.

HD 96  (East Edmond, Arcadia, Luther, Jones area) - LEWIS MOORE – Rep. Moore scored 90% on the latest Conservative Index and certainly should be re-elected over the two less conservative candidates challenging him.

HD 101 (Midwest City, Choctaw area) - TESS TEAGUE - OCPAC members endorsed Tess with her conservative positions, energy, and money.  She does work at the Capitol, so if elected she will be ahead of the learning curve for most freshmen lawmakers.

Congress, U.S. House of Representatives

Let me try to make this easy.  What kind of representation do you want to see from our five U.S. Representatives?  Do you want loyal Republican establishment congressmen who go-along-to-get-along and only fight Obama and the progressive Democrats with less-than effective means and oftentimes worthless votes?  If so re-elect Cole, Lucas, Mullin, and Russell.  If, on the other hand, you want someone who will elect a non-establishment Speaker of the House and use the Constitution to rein-in the run-away Executive and Judicial branches of government, then be sure to re-elect Jim Bridenstine and replace the other four congressmen.

U.S. HD 1  JIM BRIDENSTINE - This will be Jim’s last term (he pledged only three, and he is a man of his word).  He is the best we have.

U.S. HD 2  JARRIN JACKSON - OCPAC endorsed Jackson after our interview process.  Of all the challengers, Mr. Jackson probably has the best chance of up-setting an incumbent.  Before filing date he had already raised nearly $100 thousand.  He is charismatic, hardworking, and has a far greater understanding of the Constitution than Representative Mullin.

U.S. HD 3  DESIREE BROWN - OCPAC did not make an endorsement in this race, but I have had an opportunity to visit with Desiree on two different occasions.  I am impressed with her convictions and understanding of the Constitution.  However, without resources and with a late start she has little to no chance of winning.  Frank Lucas has been in congress so long he is the epitome of what is wrong with congress.  His big campaign war chest allows him to hire slick professional ad agencies to produce commercials that effectively portray him as the best thing since sliced bread to an electorate which has little standard by which to measure a good or useless congressman.  Every time I hear his commercial featuring giggling California Valley Girls acting like Frank Lucas groupies, I want to puke.

U.S. HD 4  JAMES TAYLOR - OCPAC endorsed James Taylor, though candidate Shawn Roberts was also an impressive candidate.  Representative Cole is the biggest problem with the Republican party in the State of Oklahoma.  He is not a conservative, but rather a moderate who is now a major player in the Republican establishment in Washington.  Shaking down big-government advocates in Washington, Cole had $1.5 million in his war chest before this election cycle even began.  James Taylor is principled and would never become a go-along-to-get-along congressman.  He is a true conservative and a constitutionalist.

U.S. HD 5  FRANK VOLPE - Two years ago OCPAC endorsed Steve Russell.  In the primary run-off, I worked very hard to get Steve elected, even making robo-calls on Steve’s behalf.  While I personally love Steve and really appreciate some of the things he is trying to accomplish, I can no longer support him.  Unfortunately, Steve fell in with the Republican establishment from day one, instead of working alongside Jim Bridenstine.  His reasons for supporting Speaker Boehner are insulting to close political observers.  Also, his answer to me at a town hall meeting about his understanding of the difference between revolutionary and evolutionary Islam was insulting and was intended to pacify listeners.  OCPAC members endorsed Frank Volpe, who is also an accomplished retired military man.  Frank is running against Steve for all the right reasons.  He is very principled and would make a very good congressman if elected.

Thanks for your time and attention.  Again, some folks will have different opinions with some of my picks and that is fine.  I hope these picks are helpful to those looking for information.