Dustin Roberts Announces for HD 21

To continue with the Bryan County political news, another Republican has announced for State House District 21, being vacated by Rep. John Carey (D-Durant). In July, we reported that Jack Accountius was running - today, Dustin Roberts announced his candidacy for the same seat.

Dustin (Pryor) Roberts, a Republican of Durant, has announced his candidacy for the District 21 State Representative seat currently held by Democrat John Carey.

“I am asking the people of the 21st district to give me the honor of representing them in our Oklahoma State Capital,” said Roberts, in a news release.

“Today marks the beginning of a campaign that will try to push the boundaries of political lines, working hand-in-hand with the great people of District 21 and our capital leaders, building a stronger district and a greater state. It is important to examine each of the candidates that will be representing one of the strongest districts in the great state of Oklahoma.”

Roberts was born in McAlester but raised in Durant by parents Pam Roberts and local businessman Dennis Roberts. He is a Durant High School graduate, where he participated in football and track.

Upon graduation in 2003, Roberts enlisted in the United States Navy to serve the nation and fight the war on terrorism.

In his five-year career in the United States Navy, Roberts was the recipient of two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for his efforts in the Horn of Africa situation and again in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2004, Roberts was awarded as the Blue Jacket of the Year and honored with an invitation to the Presidential Inaugural Ball and Inaugural Address. He was promoted, through the Command Advancement Program, to 3rd Class Petty Officer by the Command Master Chief and Commanding Officer of VFA-143. Later, Roberts was awarded Junior Sailor of the Year for the leadership role he took on his second deployment.

After five years of enlistment in the U.S. Navy, Roberts enrolled in Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he is pursuing a degree in education.

While enrolled at SE, Roberts is also a partner in his family’s business, All Star Beverages, a drive-thru convenience store.

Roberts and his wife of five years, Lindsay Valles Roberts, of Calera, are members of the Durant Elks Lodge and Calera United Methodist Church.

Together, they volunteer with organizations such as Relay for Life and March of Dimes, and are avid supporters of the local 4-H, FFA and athletics programs.

It's highly unusual for a contested Republican primary in either south-east or east-central Oklahoma, which has been dubbed "Little Dixie" due to the highly Democratic nature of voter registration here. This just speaks to the political climate today, both anti-incumbent and anti-Democrat. This could be a great opportunity for the GOP to gain another state legislative seat in the 2nd Congressional District. Currently, only three Republicans hold seats within the district - State Rep. Tad Jones in Claremore (term-limited), State Rep. Doug Cox in Grove, and State Rep. George Faught in Muskogee.

Jack Accountius Announces for State House District 21

To continue with the candidacy announcements, this one came out of Bryan County in southern Oklahoma on Monday.

Jack Accountius Announces Candidacy for Oklahoma District 21 Representative

Durant, OK -- Jackie (Jack) Accountius today announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for State Representative for District 21. He has been a resident of Bryan County for twenty-two years, and much of that time has been spent in service to our local community. He served on the Philadelphia VFD as a fireman and held the office of Secretary/Treasurer, and then once Roberta Fire Department was organized, served Roberta VFD as fireman, Chief, and member of the Board of Directors. Jack is also a member and past President of the Bryan County Master Gardeners. As well, he has served on the Bryan County Fair Board, and has assisted or superintended the Open Horse Show at the Fair. Jack is active in his church, St Williams Roman Catholic Church, serving on his parish council in many different capacities including President. He and his wife have been faithful volunteers for over four years in serving Durant's hungry through the church's St. Catherine's Food Bank.

On the state level, he is participating in the planning process for the 2010-2060 Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan.

Accountius is a 1958 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He served 20 years in the USAF as munitions officer, 15 of those years as explosive ordinance disposal qualified, and spent two years serving overseas at various locations throughout Southeast Asia. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Jack received his Masters in Business Administration from East Texas State University, and in 1996 retired from Texas Instruments.

Since moving to Oklahoma, Jack and his wife of fifty years Pat, have raised, trained and shown their miniature horses at all levels of competition. They have won one American Miniature Horse Association National Championship and two National Reserve Championships.

Because of his experience in the military and in the civilian work sector, Jack feels he can contribute to the positive growth of this great state of Oklahoma. He looks forward to enlisting yet again in service to our country through representing District 21 in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

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Accountius can be contacted at chimera@texomaonline.com. His website is JackFor21.com.

House District 21 is currently held by State Rep. John Carey (D, Durant). Carey is not seeking reelection, and word is that he will be jumping in the Lieutenant Governor race in the near future (joining fellow Little Dixie Democrat State Sen. Kenneth Corn). Democrat Chris Pierce announced for House District 21 on June 23rd.

2010 looks to be an active year for the Republican Party in the traditionally and heavily Democratic Second Congressional District. Recruitment for state legislative races, as well as candidates for Congress, seems to be going at an above-average pace, which has to bode well for the GOP.

State Rep. John Wright to run for Lt. Governor

State Rep. John Wright (R, Broken Arrow) has decided to run for Lieutenant Governor, and will officially announce his candidacy this afternoon at 2:00pm.

His website went live this morning; you can view it here.

He joins State Rep. Colby Schwartz as the Republican candidates for the Lieutenant Governorship. State Senator Kenneth Corn (D, Poteau) is the only officially announced Democrat in the race; State Rep. John Carey (D, Durant) is said to be considering jumping in. The current Lieutenant Governor is Democrat Jari Askins, who is running for Governor.