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.

Legislature Overrides Henry's Vetoes of Pro-Life Legislation

The Oklahoma Legislature has overridden Gov. Brad Henry's veto on two pieces of pro-life legislation.

The bills that were vetoed:

• House Bill 2780, by state Rep. Lisa Billy, requires that doctors provide women information obtained from an ultrasound prior to performing an abortion.
• House Bill 2656, by state Rep. Dan Sullivan, makes it illegal to sue a doctor claiming "wrongful birth" because the doctor failed to convince the mother to abort a child.

The House voted yesterday to override; the tally was 81-14 (HB2790) and 84-12 (HB 2656) in favor. The Senate voted this morning, with both bills receiving a vote of 36-12.
House voted 81-14 to override the governor’s veto, which was above the three-fourths vote required.

Here is how the Muskogee-area legislators voted (click for larger view).



Rep. Jerry McPeak was the ONLY local legislator to vote against the veto override. Kudos to State Reps. Mike Brown, Ed Cannaday, George Faught, Wade Rousselot and State Sen. Earl Garrison for standing up for LIFE.

House Passes Resolution Opposing FOCA; McPeak, Cannaday Vote 'No'

The State House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 77-12, a resolution opposing the Freedom of Choice Act. President Barack Obama has pledged to sign the act if it comes across his desk.

House Opposes Federal Abortion Law in Bipartisan Vote

Contact: State Rep. Sally Kern
Capitol: (405) 557-7348

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 12, 2009) – The members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives – both Republicans and Democrats – voted today to voice opposition to a proposed federal law that would undermine state pro-life laws.

House Joint Resolution 1009, by state Rep. Sally Kern, declares that the Legislature "strongly opposes the federal Freedom of Choice Act and urges United States Congress to summarily reject it."

"President Barack Obama has promised that one of his top priorities is to pass a so-called ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ that would classify abortion as a fundamental right similar to the right to free speech," noted Kern, R-Oklahoma City. "Any legislation that would undermine the right to life is strongly opposed by the vast majority of Oklahomans and this resolution will send that message to Washington."

House Joint Resolution 1009 declares that the Legislature opposes the federal Freedom of Choice Act because it "seeks to circumvent the states’ general legislative authority as guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution," would "undermine the right and responsibility of the states and the people to debate, vote on, and determine abortion policy," and because "the protection of women’s health through state regulations on abortion is a compelling state interest that should not be nullified by Congress."

The federal Freedom of Choice Act would invalidate more than 550 federal and state abortion-related laws, such as Oklahoma’s law requiring parental notification before an abortion may be performed on an underage girl.

That law was passed, in part, to prevent child molesters from covering up evidence of their crime.

"Oklahoma has enacted many common-sense laws in recent years that are supported by the vast majority of citizens – the federal government should not stifle the voice of the people as expressed through their elected legislators," Kern said.

House Joint Resolution 1009 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 77-12 vote. It now proceeds to the state Senate.

Among the few nay votes were local legislators Jerry McPeak (D, Warner) and Ed Cannaday (D, Porum). These representatives should answer to their constituents why they support this rabidly pro-abortion legislation.

Official English Passes House

House Joint Resolution 1042 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 66-32.

11 Democrats crossed party lines, and voted for the measure (they were as follows: Neil Brannon, Joe Dorman, Rebecca Hamilton, Scott Inman, Lucky Lamons, Ryan McMullen, Richard Morrissette, Eric Proctor, R.C. Pruett, Jerry Shoemake, and Purcy Walker). Three Republicans representatives voted against the resolution: Lisa Billy, Shane Jett, and Dan Sullivan.

Of the area representatives, Democrat Reps. Mike Brown, Ed Cannaday, Jerry McPeak and Wade Rousselot voted against it, and Republican Rep. George Faught voted for it. Faught also co-authored the HJR, and authored similar legislation in 2007 and 2008.

You can listen to the presentation and debate on HJR 1042 here.

Area State Reps Committee Assignments

House Speaker Chris Benge (R, Tulsa) announced the committee assignments for the 2009-2010 session of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives today. The following are the committee assignments for the Muskogee-area State Representatives.

State Rep. George Faught (R, Muskogee):

Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight Committee - Vice Chair
Business & Economic Development Committee
Government Modernization Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health and Social Services

State Rep. Mike Brown (D, Tahlequah):

Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight Committee
Higher Education & Career Tech Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation

State Rep. Jerry McPeak (D, Warner):

Energy & Utility Regulation Committee
International Relations & Tourism Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation


State Rep. Ed Cannaday (D, Porum):

Common Education Committee
Public Health Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education


State Rep. Wade Rousselot (D, Wagoner):

Human Services Committee - Vice Chair
Energy & Utility Regulation Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services

Muskogee-Area Reps Gain Leadership Positions

With today's announcement of the Democratic Party leadership in the State House, along with House Speaker Benge's announcement last week of the new Republican leadership, three Muskogee-area State Representatives have made leadership positions.


State Rep. George Faught (R, Muskogee) was named one of eight Assistant Majority Floor Leaders. The Republican Party extended their lead in the state house, after gaining control in 2004. In 2006, Rep. Faught became the first Republican in state history to win the House District 14 seat.

State Rep. Mike Brown (D, Tahlequah) will be the Minority Floor Leader for the 52nd Legislature. Rep. Brown has represented House District 4 since 2004.

State Rep. Jerry McPeak (D, Warner) was selected to be one of two Deputy Minority Floor Leaders. Rep. McPeak has held the House District 13 seat since 2004.


State Rep. Wade Rousselot (D, Wagoner) was appointed as one of five Assistant Minority Floor Leaders. Rep. Rousselot has represented House District 12 since 2004.

Muskogee Politico's Election Predictions

The Muskogee Politico's Election Predictions

President
John McCain stages a comeback very much like Harry Truman. McCain gets 296 in the Electoral College, Obama takes 242.

How some of the battleground states fall:

Colorado: Obama
Florida: McCain
Iowa: Obama
Indiana: McCain
Michigan: Obama
Minnesota: McCain
Missouri: McCain
North Carolina: McCain
New Hampshire: Obama
New Mexico: Obama
Nevada: McCain
Ohio: McCain
Pennsylvania: McCain
Virginia: McCain

Yes, I think McCain will pull Minnesota and Pennsylvania...

U.S. Senate and U.S. House
Jim Inhofe and Dan Boren win easily.

Corporation Commission
Jeff Cloud wins; Dana Murphy eeks out a victory (less than 1%).

State House
Republicans gain the Covey seat, lose either the Thomsen and the Dennis Johnson seat. Zero net change in the State House.

State Senate
The Republicans win the Newberry/Riley election, the Morgan seat (Stillwater), and in a stunner, Kenny Sherrill takes the Lerblance/Gene Stipe seat in McAlester. Net gain of 3 seats for the Republicans.

Muskogee Area
Rep. George Faught (R, Muskogee) gets 58% of the vote. Rep. McPeak (D, Warner) and Sheriff Charles Pearson are re-elected by easy margins. County Propositions 1 & 2 pass.

Muskogee Politico's Picks, Intro

Since there is less than one week until the election, it's time to unveil the Muskogee Politico's Picks. I'll list the races here, and then post my picks on separate posts.

Races in Muskogee County:
Incumbents are italicized.

• State House District 13 - Debbie Lienhart (R, Haskell) vs. Jerry McPeak (D, Warner)
  
• State House District 14 - George Faught (R, Muskogee) vs. Eugene Blankenship (D, Muskogee)
• Muskogee County Sheriff - Roger Lee (R, Muskogee) vs. Charles Pearson (D, Muskogee)
  
• Muskogee County Proposition 1
• Muskogee County Proposition 2
  

State-wide Races
Incumbents are italicized.

• Corporation Commission, Short Term - Dana Murphy (R, Edmond) vs. Jim Roth (D, OKC)
• Corporation Commission, Full Term - Jeff Cloud (R, OKC) vs. Charles Gray (D, OKC)
• State Question No. 735
• State Question No. 741
  
• State Question No. 742
• State Question No. 743

Judicial Retention Races

• Oklahoma Supreme Court - John Reif
• Oklahoma Supreme Court - Tom Colbert
• Oklahoma Supreme Court - Joseph Watt
• Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals - Charles Johnson
• Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals - Gary Lumpkin
• Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals - Jerry Goodman
• Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals - Jane Wiseman
• Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals - Keith Rapp
• Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals - John Fischer
  

Federal Races
Incumbents are italicized.

• Congressional District 2 - Raymond Wickson (R, Okmulgee) vs. Dan Boren (D, Muskogee)
• U.S. Senate - Jim Inhofe (R, Tulsa) vs. State Sen. Andrew Rice (D, OKC)
  
• President - Sen. John McCain/Gov. Sarah Palin (R, AZ/AK) vs. Sen. Barack Obama/Sen. Joe Biden (D, IL/DE)

Now, no guarantee that I'll post these all in one day... there's more on the ballot than I realized!

Muskogee Phoenix Endorses Dana Murphy

The Muskogee Phoenix newspaper has endorsed Republicans Dana Murphy and Jeff Cloud for the Corporation Commission seats.

Commission Choices

We encourage voters to return Jeff Cloud to a second term on the state Corporation Commission.

We also encourage a vote for Dana Murphy, replacing the man who currently holds a seat on the commission.

Cloud has done a commendable job in his first term. There is no reason to replace him.

Cloud’s opponent, Charles Gray, has taken an admirable stance, stating that unlike Cloud, he would not take campaign donations from energy companies. State law does not prohibit those donations, though we think it should.

Still, Cloud, as others have pointed out, has shown a good balance between serving the interests of consumers and the interests of the companies the commission regulates.

Murphy has a long background in energy, and she served as an administrative law judge for the commission. She has all the qualifications for the job.

Her opponent, Jim Roth, has been on the board for two years after having been appointed by Gov. Brad Henry and serving as a two-term Oklahoma County commissioner.

Given the current energy crisis and the need for development of alternative energy sources, we believe it’s wise to elect someone with a strong energy background and someone who has dealt with energy and consumer issues for years.

The Muskogee Politico applauds this endorsement.

In this election, the Phoenix has endorsed Democrat Sen. Barack Obama for President, Democrat State Sen. Andrew Rice for U.S. Senate, Republican State Rep. George Faught for re-election, sort of endorsed Democrat State Rep. Jerry McPeak for re-election, and Democrat Sheriff Charles Pearson for re-election. They also endorsed the Muskogee County Questions Propositions 1 and 2, which deal with updating the 911 system. They endorsed voting 'no' on SQ 742, the 'Hunters Bill of Rights'.