How I think the Senate and CD2 races currently stand

We're now less than two weeks from the 2022 primary election, so I thought I'd write my take on the two most competitive and crowded races attracting attention in the state.

AG O’Connor blasts Biden for withholding school lunches unless schools embrace gender-identity agenda

AG O’Connor Blasts Biden for Withholding School Lunches from Children Unless Schools Embrace Gender Identity Agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY -  Attorney General John O’Connor has joined a coalition of 26 state attorneys general calling on President Joe Biden to withdraw the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new guidance on sex discrimination for schools and programs that receive federal nutritional assistance. The coalition says recent guidance from the USDA imposes new—and unlawful—regulatory measures on state agencies and operators receiving federal financial assistance from the USDA. 

Rick Perry endorses Scott Pruitt for Senate

Former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is touting an endorsement from former Texas Governor Rick Perry for Pruitt's Senate campaign. Both men served in the Trump administration - Pruitt as EPA Administrator, and Perry as Secretary of Energy.

Ryan Walters for State Superintendent launches statewide TV ad

RYAN WALTERS, CANDIDATE FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT, LAUNCHES STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN AD

(June 13th) - Beginning today the Ryan Walters for State Superintendent campaign launched a statewide ad buy on both broadcast and cable titled “Conservative Choice.”  In the ad, Walters highlights his plan to fix Oklahoma schools by fighting for school choice, banning CRT, and protecting women’s sports.

BatesLine: don't vote yet - conservatives need to consolidate to get a candidate in the runoff

Michael Bates, the bonafide "elder statesman" of Oklahoma's conservative blogosphere (with a blog dating back to 2003), is out with an informational mega-post on the GOP Senate primary for the seat being vacated mid-tern by Jim Inhofe. In it, Bates presents some basic details about the candidates, along with links to campaign sites and further information.

Bates makes the case that absentee voters, especially conservatives, should hold off on picking a candidate just yet:

AFP-OK endorses Walters for State Superintendent

Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma Endorses Ryan Walters for Superintendent of Public Instruction

Tulsa, Oklahoma—Americans for Prosperity’s Oklahoma chapter (AFP-OK) has endorsed Ryan Walters for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Poll: Stitt grows lead over Hofmeister, Mullin and Shannon lead Senate race, AG race getting tighter

Interesting stuff:

Amber Integrated Releases Survey on Upcoming Primary and General Elections

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma-based public affairs firm Amber Integrated has released two surveys measuring attitudes about the current political environment and the upcoming primary and general elections in Oklahoma.

Teehee hits the airwaves with new TV ad

Johnny Teehee, Muskogee's police chief and one of 13 Republicans running for Congress in the 2nd District, has come out with a new television ad for his campaign.

O'Connor reminds voters: Drummond worked to defeat Dr. Tom Coburn

Gentner Drummond Worked To Defeat Dr. Tom Coburn

Tulsa, OK (June 13th) – Before he donated $1,000 to elect Joe Biden to the White House, Gentner Drummond gave $1,000 to defeat Dr. Tom Coburn. 

House Republicans introduce slate of tax and inflation relief bills in special session

Legislating by shotgun blast; it appears that the House is throwing any and every option out on the table for the "inflation relief" special session:

House Republicans introduce inflation relief bills

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 13th) – House Republicans introduced a slate of inflation relief bills in special session Monday, reiterating their support for helping Oklahomans overcome the rising cost of goods and services.

Lankford joins push back on proposed SEC rule forcing climate regs on farmers, ranchers, ag industry

Lankford Opposes SEC Overreach, Looks to Protect Agriculture Producers from Unworkable Regulations

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 10th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and 31 of his colleagues today pushed back on a proposed rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would place unworkable climate disclosure regulations on farmers, ranchers and agriculture producers. The Senators’ called on the SEC to rescind the overreaching proposal, which would require publicly-traded companies to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports. The rule would impose extensive new, complex, and burdensome greenhouse gas reporting requirements on all entities within a company’s value chain, including farmers and ranchers who fall outside of the SEC’s congressionally-provided authority.

Cherokee Chief orders removal of Oklahoma flags from Cherokee Nation properties

CHEROKEE NATION CHIEF BANS DISPLAY OF OKLAHOMA STATE FLAG

by Ray Carter (Center for Independent Journalism)

Through a new executive order, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. has prohibited display of the state flag of Oklahoma at tribal facilities.

Hoskin’s executive order declares that the chief of staff of the Cherokee Nation shall “cause all flags of the State of Oklahoma to be removed from Cherokee Nation properties” by Sept. 1.

It’s the latest indication that some tribal officials and activists do not consider themselves citizens of Oklahoma now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled their tribal reservations were never disestablished, creating numerous jurisdictional questions on everything from public safety to taxation.