Rep. Hays: 'A Call for Fairness in Municipal Public Policy'

A Call for Fairness in Municipal Public Policy

By State Representative Neil Hays (R, HD-13)

As communities across the country work to balance budgets, fund essential services, and attract the businesses that drive innovation and job creation, it’s time for local governments to rethink their approach to public policy. As State Representative for District 13, I encourage our elected leaders to adopt transparent, deliberate, and equitable decision-making processes when considering new taxes, fees, or regulations. We must resist hasty or regressive measures that undermine the very economies they seek to support.

Former State Rep. Avery Frix announces bid for State Senate District 9

At an event in Fort Gibson this evening, former State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) announced his candidacy for Senate District 9, currently held by retiring State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton (R-Muskogee). So far, he is the first candidate to start campaigning for this open seat.

Frix previously served in the Oklahoma State House for three terms (from 2016 to 2022), representing House District 13, before running for Congress and losing to now-Congressman Josh Brecheen in the Republican runoff election (he loaned his campaign $255,000 in that failed effort).

House passes bill amending "Slow Down, Move Over" law to protect emergency responders

House Approves Legislation to Protect First and Second Responders 

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 15th) – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, secured passage of a bill addressing the state's current "Slow Down, Move Over" law.

House Bill 2684 would mandate drivers approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle to reduce their speed to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and increases fines for non-compliance.

Dr. Everett Piper endorses Brian Jackson for HD13

Brian Jackson, candidate for Oklahoma House District 13, has been endorsed by Dr. Everett Piper:

Oklahoma Republicans make big legislative gains

Today's election has handed Oklahoma Republicans some big gains in the state legislature.

STATE SENATE: +3
All three Democrat seats were taken by the GOP - SD1 (northeast corner), SD9 (Muskogee and Tahlequah), and SD13 (Ada area). All Republican seats were held. The State Senate is now 42 Republicans, 6 Democrats.

Senate Democrats can trade in the caucus van and now get a car.

STATE HOUSE: +4
Republicans picked up HD3, HD8, HD12, HD13, HD16, and HD19. Democrats picked up HD87 and HD93. The State House is now 75 Republicans, 26 Democrats.

Muskogee County: trouble for Democrats, optimism for GOP

While Muskogee County tilts heavily Democratic in voter registration, campaign finance records show the local Democratic Party and their legislative candidates in deep trouble, while the Republican Party is on solid ground and set to make big gains.

As of April 2016, Democrats beat Republicans in Muskogee County voter registration 58.17%  to 28.98% -- a difference of 29.19%. While still a big lead, that's a far cry from 2006, when Democrats comprised 67.4% and Republicans were at 22.26% -- a difference of 45.14%. The Democratic decline has been less steep in Muskogee County than, say, Bryan County, but it's very real nonetheless.

In 2006, Republicans won House District 14 for the first time ever, and in 2014 Republicans won their first-ever County Commission seat. This election could set records for the Muskogee County Republicans. Let's look at some campaign finance figures.

House District 14 - Republican-held since 2006 (map)
Rep. George Faught (R) has raised $14,850.00 this cycle, and has $46,009.10 on hand. His Democratic challenger Lee Ann Langston has raised just $1,200.00 and has a pitiful $550.00 on hand.

House District 13 - open Democrat-held seat (map)
Victorious in a three-way primary, Republican Avery Frix has raised a total of $55,858.16 so far, and has $10,656.55 on hand. Democrat candidate Wayne Herriman raised $10,415.00 and has $5,000.21 on hand. Republicans held this seat from 2000 to 2004, but until this election failed to field any more serious candidates.

Senate District 9 - open Democratic-held seat (map)
Winner of a competitive primary contest, Republican Dewayne Pemberton has raised $38,255.00 and has $11,116.92 on hand. Meanwhile, Democrat Jack Reavis has raised $12,632.34 and has a mere $849.87 on hand. To my knowledge, no Republican has ever held this seat.

Looking at County Party structure is even more dramatic. The Muskogee County Republican Party raised $17,746.00 from January 1st through June 30th, and has $23,266.32 cash-on-hand with which to assist their candidates and promote the party. The Muskogee County Democratic Party hasn't filed an ethics report since July 2015, but at that point they had only raised $357.06 on the year and had $488.51 in the bank.

This is looking to be a great year for the Muskogee County Republicans.

Faught endorses Pemberton in SD9, Stevens in HD13

In the race for House District 13 (map), State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee) has endorsed Al Stevens in the Republican primary:

"It is my privilege to endorse Al Stevens for State Representative for House District 13. I have known Al for many years in both a personal and professional level. Al has vast business experience working in the community through his employment with OG&E and his years of service on numerous boards and committees in our local community. Al brings both the experience and common sense ideas that are needed in promoting economic development and accountability to our state government. He and his wife of more than 43 years, Sandy, a former public school teacher, create a great partnership and will serve this community well. Join with me and support a qualified leader - Al Stevens for State Representative in House District 13."

Stevens is facing off against Republicans Avery Frix and Leah Todd in the primary on Tuesday. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Wayne Herriman in the general election. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jerry McPeak (D-Warner), who is term-limited.

In the race for Senate District 9 (map), State Rep. George Faught has endorsed Dewayne Pemberton in the Republican primary:

"It is an honor for me to endorse Dewayne Pemberton for State Senate District 9. Dewayne has unique qualifications that make him the right choice to be your next Senator. With more than 30 years experience in Education as a former teacher, coach and high school administrator, Dewayne knows what needs to be done to help our schools succeed. Our next Senator needs to have the life experience and wisdom that comes with age, along with the proven conservative background to solve the many tough decisions facing Oklahoma. Dewayne will fight for the values of traditional marriage and protecting the unborn and he will be a champion of Education. He understands the role of government and will work to unleash the free enterprise system to create quality jobs and a prosperous economy. It is without hesitation that today I ask you to join me in electing Dewayne Pemberton as our next State Senator."

Pemberton is aiming to beat John Tyler Hammons in the GOP primary. The Republican nominee will face whichever of the three Democrat candidates emerge from their primary: Stephen Highers, Jack Reavis, or John Uzzo. This seat is currently held by Sen. Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee), who is also term-limited.

Republican Al Stevens announces for HD13

Community Activist & Retired Businessman Al Stevens 

Announces for State Rep

Muskogee, OK – Al Stevens of Muskogee, OK has announced his candidacy for State Representative District 13, the seat that incumbent Jerry McPeak will be leaving next year due to term limits. Al and his wife of 43 years Sandy Stevens, a retired Spanish teacher of Muskogee Public Schools, have three grown children – Jason, Misty, & Jenny. Al’s official campaign kickoff has been set for Tuesday, October 13th and will begin at 5:30 pm held at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame located at 401 S 3rd St, Muskogee, OK 74401. Everyone is welcome.

Stevens received his bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1979 from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK. He recently retired from OG&E, where he worked for 40 years, in Management of Community Affairs for Muskogee and previously at Woodward (in the Western part of the state). While at Woodward, Stevens served as the President of the Alva Industrial Team where he worked closely in bringing Value Added Products, a frozen dough manufacturer, into the district which brought 120 new jobs to the area.

Al Stevens has had a lifetime commitment of service. Since the move to Muskogee, Al has served as the Chairman of the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce. He was also actively involved in the Chambers of Checotah, Ft. Gibson, Muldrow, & Warner. Al also helped form the Downtown Muskogee Main Street Program, bringing the first Main Street Program to the City of Muskogee. In fact, he received the “Friend of Main Street” Award for the State  of Oklahoma in 2009. Among many other committees and boards Al has extended his heart and passion into include interests relating to community leadership courses, tourism, and education.

“Al is a generous, servant, & dedicated man of integrity. He has done so much for our community and I’m proud to call him my husband,” Sandy Stevens commented. Al Stevens is a fiscally responsible and social conservative who believes in a limited government, traditional marriage between one man and one woman, and is 100% pro-life. Al states, “I believe the federal government continues to sneak its way into our everyday way of life through handouts to our state that often don’t need – I will be a strong voice for the people of District 13. They will be the voice I represent – not an encroaching federal government infringing upon our faith, freedom, & families. I will fight to protect the life of the unborn, our right to keep and bear arms, parental choice in education, and will bring common sense conservative solutions to the Oklahoma State Capitol. I would like to thank Jerry McPeak for his years of service to this community and district and I humbly ask for your prayers, support, & vote in this election.”

The Republican primary election for State Representative District 13 of Oklahoma will be held in June of 2016. For more information, please visit www.AlStevensforOklahoma.com.