Oklahoma Energy Secretary resigns, takes job with GE

Oklahoma Energy Secretary Michael Ming has resigned to take a job with General Electric's planned Oil and Gas Technology Center here in Oklahoma. Governor Mary Fallin appointed Ming to her cabinet in January 2011. The news comes a month after GE was given $3,000,000 from the governor's Quick Action Closing Fund to bring the company's project to Oklahoma. This is the first time Governor Fallin has used the fund.

Maybe I'm wrong, but when a large corporation is given millions of taxpayer dollars by the governor, and one of the governor's cabinet members resigns to head up the project for the company, it just doesn't sit well with me.

What do you think? Is it just me?

Oklahoma leads nation in 2000-2010 per capita state spending growth

I ran across this graphic recently, and found it to be very interesting, especially considering that the Oklahoma Legislature is in the middle of passing a $7.1 billion state budget that increases almost a quarter billion over last year's budget. As Patrick McGuigan of CapitolBeatOK.com points out, this "will be the third straight increase in state spending since Republicans took over every part of state government in 2010."

According to Tax Foundation, "these percentages show the growth in direct spending between 2000 and 2010, in real dollars per capita (to eliminate the effects of population growth and inflation). Oklahoma leads the pack with a 74% increase in state government spending over ten years; Alaska, whose state government only grew 17% faster than its population, is at the bottom."

Public Insight Network seeks input on immigration terminology

Which term best describes immigrants living in the U.S. illegally?

from Public Insight Network

The Associated Press Stylebook and several newsrooms have dropped the term "illegal immigrant." On the AP website, a top editor clarified, "The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term 'illegal immigrant' or the use of 'illegal' to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that 'illegal' should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally."

The decision has been applauded by Latino and immigration advocates. For years, many protested the AP and other journalism organizations, including The New York Times, over usage of what they believed to be an offensive term. But journalists are left wondering, what is the proper terminology for an immigrant in the country illegally?

Do you use a specific term to describe someone with a certain immigration status? What do you think of the AP's new stance?

Public Insight Network journalists have launched a collaboration to see which terms people across the United States prefer to use. Everything you share will be read by journalists only, and your responses are confidential unless you tell us we may publish them.

Thanks to Ben Allen of KOSU for making me aware of this project.

Submit your take at this link, and view a map of responses from across the country.

GOP State Rep. Cox given award -- by Planned Parenthood

In rather under-the-radar news, Oklahoma State Rep. Doug Cox (R-Grove) was recently given Planned Parenthood's 2013 Barry Goldwater Award*, which is given to Republican elected officials who have supported Planned Parenthood and abortion.

Dr. Cox is generally considered to be the most liberal Republican member in the State House or State Senate, and is one of the few reliable pro-abortion votes in the legislature. In fact, Cox votes against more pro-life bills than even most of the Democratic caucus. How he got elected in House District 5 (portions of Delaware and Mayes counties), I'll never know.

Fortunately, Cox is term-limited, and will thus be replaced in the 2014 election. Cox has two more years of eligibility left, and will "term out" in 2016. Let's hope that Republicans in HD5 can find a pro-life Republican to run.

Hat-tip to OK-SAFE for first posting this.

* Barry Goldwater, especially later in life, was a vocal supporter of abortion, and his wife played a key role in the early days of Planned Parenthood.

Senate Conservatives Fund picks Bridenstine for first House endorsement

In one of his most invaluable actions as a U.S. Senator, Jim DeMint, now president of the Heritage Foundation, started the Senate Conservatives Fund. While he led SCF, the Fund played extremely crucial roles in electing Senators Ted Cruz (TX), Mike Lee (UT), Rand Paul (KY), and Marco Rubio (FL). SCF is one of the top conservative PACs currently out there, and has had tremendous success at changing the dialogue in Washington through members who would not have been elected without their help.

Today, SCF stepped into new territory by branching out into U.S. House races with an endorsement of Oklahoma's own standout freshman Rep. Jim Bridenstine. Here's what SCF said on their website about Bridenstine:

SCF endorses Jim Bridenstine for U.S. House

"Today, we are endorsing U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) for the U.S. House in the 1st District of Oklahoma. This is our first endorsement for a House candidate and we hope you will help make it a success.

Please take action to promote bold leadership in Washington by making a contribution to Jim Bridenstine's campaign today.

Congressman Bridenstine has a remarkable story that every conservative in America should know.

• Jim Bridenstine is a Navy pilot and combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and lives with his wife and their three children in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Jim Bridenstine defeated an establishment RINO in the Republican primary last year with no name recognition and very little money. He ran a grassroots campaign, meeting with small groups of voters in their homes to build the support he needed to win.
• After the election, Jim Bridenstine cast his first vote against John Boehner for Speaker of the House. He knows the GOP needs stronger leadership and he had the courage to vote his conscience even though it could have cost him an important committee assignment.
• Later, Jim Bridenstine led the fight in the House against the FY2013 "continuing resolution" — a spending bill written by Republican leaders that included funding for the implementation of Obamacare. He circulated a letter among his colleagues to build opposition to the bill and he voted against the procedural rule that brought it to the floor.
• Now Jim Bridenstine is leading the fight against a new Internet tax, which would hurt online consumers by giving states the power to force out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes for them. It's a grossly unfair law that subjects entrepreneurs to over 9,600 different tax jurisdictions. It's being pushed by the lobbyists of large corporations to eliminate competition from small, online businesses.

Congressman Bridenstine doesn't just talk the talk. He walks the walk.

Please make a contribution to Jim Bridenstine's campaign today. Your support will help him continue to fight for conservative principles in Congress.

Supporting Jim Bridenstine is important for two primary reasons.

• First, we need to protect him from the establishment. The Republican leadership in the House has significant power to hurt the fundraising efforts of members like Bridenstine who buck them. We can't let John Boehner (R-OH), Eric Cantor (R-VA), and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) punish this principled leader.
• Second, we need to elevate more conservative champions to lead the fight to save this country. Congressman Bridenstine is one of these champions. Not only has he stood strong in the House, but he also has the potential to become an outstanding candidate for the U.S. Senate when Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) retires in 2016.

SCF has fully vetted Congressman Bridenstine and he's the real deal. He supports all of our policy goals and has a record of fulfilling his campaign promises, even when it requires him to stand up to the leaders in his own party.

I recently met with Congressman Bridenstine and was extremely impressed. In many ways, he reminds me of Jim DeMint when he was first elected to the House in 1998. Bridenstine is authentic, sincere, and humble — qualities that are very hard to find in Washington these days.

Please help us reach our goal of raising $50,000 for Jim Bridenstine's campaign by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, or more today.

When you contribute to Jim Bridenstine's campaign through SCF, he will receive 100% of your donation. That is our guarantee to our supporters and it's one the things that makes SCF unique from other political organizations.

Thank you for your support. We will keep fighting.

Matt Hoskins, SCF Executive Director"

Steve Kern, husband of Rep. Sally Kern, to run for State Senate

Pastor Steve Kern has announced his intent to run for State Senate District 40 in next year's election, according to an article posted by the Oklahoman and confirmed by his wife, State Rep. Sally Kern (R-OKC). SD40 is currently held by Sen. Cliff Branan, who is term-limited.

As the Oklahoman article points out, if both Kern's are win their respective races next year, they would be only the second married couple to serve in the state legislature simultaneously. Dr. Kern has pastored at Olivet Baptist Church in Oklahoma City for 17 years.

OKDHS Director responds to newborn death story

Two days ago, I posted an article by blogger/activist Steve Dickson about the death of a newborn in DHS custody. This evening, OKDHS Director Ed Lake issued a statement from detailing the story from OKDHS' perspective, which I am posting in full below.

 Ed Lake, OKDHS Director

"Recent outrageous blog posts circulating on social media are falsely and recklessly claiming that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) removed a baby from life support against the mother's wishes. This is absolutely untrue and is an example of extremist bloggers not bothering to obtain factual information and twisting the misinformation for some political agenda. We have determined, in the interest of public faith and trust, to respond to these absurd claims in a manner that protects the identities of those involved."

"The situation in which these blogs are referencing was that of an infant in OKDHS custody who was born with extremely serious physical abnormalities and who had surgery to try to correct the conditions. The child was subsequently placed on life support and doctors did not expect the child to survive. A conference was held with the presiding judge, the district attorney, the child's biological mother and her attorney, the child's foster mother, two physicians treating the child, and an OKDHS supervisor."

"The judge and the child's mother both agreed to a "Do Not Resuscitate Order" (DNR) for the child if the action was determined medically necessary. OKDHS remained silent during this conference and made no recommendation, following the agency's DNR policy. The Judge also authorized the physician treating the child to do whatever was medically necessary and in the best interest of the child. The actions of OKDHS employees and hospital staff in this case complied with Oklahoma and federal laws, as well as the judge's decisions and orders. All of these actions were recorded by a court reporter who was present at the hearing in the judge's chambers."

"The child's physician later determined the child needed to be taken off life support due to ongoing uncontrolled internal bleeding. The child's biological mother was taken to the hospital, signed the DNR order along with the attending physician, and personally consented to her child being taken off life support. The mother remained with her child until the child passed away."

"We were all extremely saddened by this child's death and worked to support the child's mother and foster mother throughout this emotional decision."

"The individual who posted the despicable blog should be ashamed of himself."

# # #

If there are any more updates to the story, I will post them.

Tragic: OKDHS takes custody of newborn, pulls life support

A Choice of Life or Death

by Steve Dickson

This is a true story.

My wife has spent many years volunteering in various causes, most of them related to the Pro-Life movement. One of the organizations she volunteers for operates a group home for women in crisis pregnancy situations. This home specifically helps pregnant homeless women get through pregnancy in a stable and safe environment. They are able to have their babies, and given the time and resources to get back on their feet. This includes staying in the home for several months after their baby is born.

Yesterday, a tragedy beyond the comprehension of most parents occurred. One of the women my wife has been helping gave birth to a baby boy last week. He was full term, and was full size, but he had some heart issues. As a result, he needed surgery. After he had his surgery he made it through the weekend. His poor little body was battered by the trauma of such an event, but alive and improving. His mother was hopeful – until the state stepped in.

Previously the mother of this new boy had lost custody of her other child. In Oklahoma domestic violence can be grounds for removal of children, even from the custody of the victim. Since the mother in this case had not regained custody of her two year old – that is due to happen later this summer – someone with the Department of Human Services decided to take custody of the baby while he was in neonatal intensive care. This was done despite the child being in a secured environment both in the hospital and in the group home he where mother and child would recover. By doing so, medical decisions were removed from the mother and given to bureaucrats.

In the afternoon of April 22nd, a worker with DHS decided to intervene, consulted a “judge” and instigated an emergency hearing to decide the fate of this little baby boy. The mother was forced to plead her case in the administrative judges’ chambers, with the hospital on speaker phone. Upon his decision, and over her objections, the baby was taken off of life support, drugs, ventilator, and pacemaker. This began while the mother was away from the hospital, and before she could even hold her child. She arrived back at the hospital shortly before the end. Her baby died at 5:38 pm.

If this story does not rip at your heart, nothing will. This is someone who was relying on private charity, attempting to rebuild her life, and life and death decisions about her child were taken from her by the state. There was no trial. There was no chance of appeal. Our government has taken it upon itself to “protect” the children, even when that means stripping parents of their rights, and making decisions that may kill those very children. In this case, it did.

I don’t know the answer to all of this. I know a tragedy has occurred. I know the state should not have the power to strip parental rights without a jury being involved. I know people are victimized by their government in the name of safety and protection, all the way down to a newborn in the hospital.

I know my heart is heavy for this mother and her children, and I will hold my family close tonight and pray for her.

Steve Dickson is a conservative activist in the Oklahoma City area, and writes a blog at this link.


* UPDATE *

The Director of OKDHS has issued a statement about this incident, which is posted here.

OKGOP 2013 State Convention

The Oklahoma Republican Party's 2013 State Convention activities commence tomorrow afternoon, with the convention itself starting at 9:00am Saturday morning. This will be my fifth convention as a delegate, and it looks to be as interesting as any of the recent editions.

Important information for delegates

• Proposed Convention Rules
• Proposed Platform
• Five proposed State Party Rules changes
• Friday registration is from 2:00pm to 7:30pm
• Saturday registration is from 7:00am to 9:00am. You must be in line by 9am.

I have conducted a survey of each of the candidates for State Chair and Vice-Chair, which can be viewed by clicking on this link.

Candidates for Chair 

in alphabetical order, with links to their websites

 Amanda Teegarden                     Dave Weston

Candidates for Vice-Chair

in alphabetical order, with links to their websites

                     Richard Engle                   Denise Crosswhite-Hader                         Sara Jo Odom

See you at the convention!

P.S. If you're on Twitter, tweet with hashtag #OKGOP, and follow me at @JamisonFaught.

OCPAC's Charlie Meadows picks Weston for OKGOP Chair

Charlie Meadows, longtime chairman of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC), sent out the following email last night regarding the race for Oklahoma Republican Party chairman. An influential grassroots leader/activist, Meadows' analysis and concluding endorsement may end up impacting this race more than the endorsements the two candidates have touted so far in the race. I'll explain after his email below.

Charlie Meadows, OCPAC chairman

WHY I ENDORSE DAVID WESTON FOR REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN

First let me say, this is my own opinion and not a position of OCPAC, in fact OCPAC does not endorse for such a race. In addition, many of my friends and fellow conservatives will disagree with me; however, I believe that will be the result of strong personal relationships with Amanda Teegarden, rather than an evaluation of the 2 candidates for the job in which they are running. Therefore, please let me explain why I am picking my friend David over my friend Amanda.

When Amanda called me on Monday, April 1st to tell me she was going to run for the Republican State Chairman’s position and wanted to make the public announcement during the candidate forum at OCPAC 2 days later, I knew it was going to be a difficult situation for me. I have known both Amanda and David for about the same amount of time, consider both of them to be friends and respect both of them for their respective efforts to make Oklahoma a better place. Following the forum at OCPAC on Wednesday, I was determined to NOT make an endorsement for chairman and knew I would have to wrestle with a decision as how to vote at the state convention on April 20th.

However, I spent a good deal of Wednesday night tossing about the race and decided to lay my friendships aside and actually evaluate these two candidates. David has the greater amount of state party experience as he has served as the finance officer under 2 different state chairmen and thus really knows the workings of the state party. In addition he has also worked as a consultant in 2 high profile campaigns, first that of James Lankford and second, the race last year where Jim Bridenstine successfully unseated the incumbent John Sullivan and then went on to win big in the general election. Amanda is a co-founder and the executive director of OK-SAFE, she is also one of the finest researchers I know. I believe David has an advantage when it comes to administration and an ability to TRY and work with the many factions within the Republican party, whereas, Amanda’s strengths are more oriented toward policy. I believe the job of party chairman is about 80% administration and 20% policy.

While, I generally agree with Amanda on policy, this is the most important reason I gladly endorse David over Amanda. Please let me explain a possible way for others to evaluate these two candidates.

Last year we had 6 state questions on the ballot, I am going to discuss 3 of them and then ask you to ask yourself, how you voted on these 3 questions?  1) I supported the question which was designed to eliminate affirmative action policies in state government hiring practices and college admission standards in Oklahoma. Ask yourself how did you vote on that issue? Even though eliminating affirmative action has long been a part of the Republican party platform, Amanda opposed the question, basically because it wasn’t a perfect measure. 2) I supported the measure to reduce the annual amount property taxes could increase from the maximum of a 5% increase to no more than an increase of 3% (this does not apply to school bond increases). Ask yourself how did you stand on that issue, Amanda opposed the issue. 3)  I supported the question to eliminate all intangible property from being subjected to property taxation. That was a very important and strong pro business measure. Ask yourself if you supported that state question? Amanda opposed it.

Every Monday morning the Republican party state chairman is on the Ried Mullins radio show on KTOK 1000 AM as the voice of the Republican party doing debate with Ben Odom, the spokesman for the Democrat party. Had Amanda been our chairman at that time she would have been on radio agreeing with the Democrat positions and opposing our platform which has for a long time opposed affirmative action, opposed increasing taxes and in principle our platform supports tax cuts.

Amanda’s positions were different from those of our most conservative Republican lawmakers, different from the positions taken by David Weston, and vice chairman candidates, Richard Engle, Denise Crosswhite Hader and Sara Jo Odom (listed in alphabetic order), I know as I have polled all of them since our forum. Also, all 3 of these issues have been a part of the conservative index. In other words, Amanda was seriously out of step with the Republican party. As such, I believe she should not be elected as our state chairman, David is far better suited for the position as he will work better with the broad range of factions within the party and be more successful in raising finances. Amanda does a great job in research and I would strongly support her if she decided to run for a legislative seat. In that position, information she could provide to colleagues would far outweigh any time she might over analyze a few issues and take the wrong positions on such.

Charlie Meadows

Meadows is very influential in the conservative/libertarian circles of Oklahoma GOP grassroots activists. Amanda Teegarden appeals to much of the same group of activists. As a result, many of the delegates that would naturally form the core of support for Teegarden, but who are heavily influenced by Meadows and his widely-circulated email chain may now reconsider, and instead vote for Weston at this weekend's state convention.

I think Charlie pretty much hit the nail on the head with his evaluation, and I completely agree with him. I respect Amanda and her work with OK-SAFE (a great organization), and have had her come speak to groups in my area about different issues. She is a thorough researcher, and very knowledgeable about important topics of the day. That said, I don't think that being chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party fits her as well as it does Dave Weston, who has actual experience working in the state party.

Want to learn more about the candidates for OKGOP Chair and Vice-Chair? 

Click here for survey responses from each of the hopefuls!

Meet the Candidates: Amanda Teegarden, OKGOP Chair hopeful

Amanda Teegarden, candidate for Oklahoma Republican Party chairman

With this Saturday being the 2013 Oklahoma Republican Party State Convention, we continue our series on the individuals who have publicly announced their candidacy to replace outgoing Chairman Matt Pinnell and outgoing Vice-Chair Pam Pollard. Today, let's look at the responses from the last public candidate for Chair, Amanda Teegarden.

The other announced candidate is Dave Weston.  The candidates for vice-chair are Denise Crosswhite Hader (her survey is posted here), Richard Engle (his survey is posted here), and Sara Jo Odom (her survey is posted here). It is my hope that this series will enable delegates to the state convention to come to a decision on which candidates to support.

Now, meet Amanda Teegarden.

1. Tell us a little bit about your personal side (i.e. family, church, occupational
background, etc.)

Amanda Teegarden has lived in Oklahoma for the last 30 years and calls Tulsa home, where she lives with her husband Mark, and their family. She is happy to report she is expecting her first grandchild later this year.

Amanda is a pro-life, born-again Christian. She attends Heartland Church in Tulsa. Amanda is the Executive Director of OK-SAFE, Inc. (Oklahomans for Sovereignty and Free Enterprise), a 501(c) 4, a non-profit corporation formed in 2006. OK-SAFE is dedicated to restoring the principles of the American Free Enterprise system and the Constitutional Sovereignty of Oklahoma and the United States.

For several years Amanda has been the co-host of America in the Balance on Truth in Focus Internet radio. She is a frequent guest on national radio shows, speaking often at national conferences on issues of public policy and liberty.

With a background in business management, Amanda spent 16 years in Retail Management, and as a small business owner. When she became a stay-at-home mom she worked part time. She knows how to work with people and organize, as evidenced by the growth of effective grassroots efforts in OK over the last 8 years.

2. What involvement have you had in the past with the Republican Party (from precinct-
level to RNC)? If possible, include approximate dates.


Amanda is a life-long Republican and has been actively involved in numerous campaigns in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District. Amanda has served several terms as Precinct Chair, a position she currently holds in Tulsa County. In the last 9 years she has served in various committees, including on the County and State Executive Committees, the County and State Platform and Rules Committees, and has been/and is a member
of several conservative GOP clubs.

3. Do you currently hold any Republican Party office?

In March Amanda was elected to the 1st District Committee.

4. What political involvement have you had outside of the Republican Party (i.e.
campaigns, elected office, political groups, etc.)? If possible, include approximate dates.

Amanda has helped in several campaigns in the Tulsa area – from three Mayor’s races; 1 House and 2 Senate District races (the latest being the successful 2012 campaign to elect Sen. Nathan Dahm to office, the state’s youngest Senator); and walking for the Bridenstine campaign in 2012.

5. There have been eight state conventions in the last decade; how many have you
attended (and which)?

I think every one since 2006 or 2007.

6. What prompted you to run for this office?

Teegarden was called by many supporters to consider running. It was a tough decision for her because last month she was elected as a member of the 1st District Committee. “After four days of prayer, thought and consultation,” she said, “I decided that I would accept the call and take on this new challenge.”

7. What are your top priorities if elected as vice-chair?

Amanda Teegarden is motivated by devotion to principle, implementation of conservative policy, and effective grassroots mobilization. “We can grow the Republican Party while still standing by our core principles. We can engage in coalition building, and work to educate the people of Oklahoma on the principles the Republican Party stands for. We can do this while pursuing candidates for office and financial support. Our efforts must include outreach and inclusion of more young people into the Republican Party, many of whom are anxious to be more involved in the pursuit of good government.”

On candidate recruitment, Teegarden says, “My years of activism on behalf of limiting the power of government have prepared me to recruit and promote candidates that stand for decentralized, state and local based power.”

8. What five issues should the Republican Party focus on politically?

Limited Government and Candidate Recruitment -
“My years of activism on behalf of limiting the power of government have prepared me to recruit and promote candidates that stand for decentralized, state and local based power. The ultimate authority is the individual – the authority that all government operates with is granted by individuals to the state, and by the states to the federal government. When you elect me, you will have an advocate for the individual leading your Republican Party”.

Transparency / Open Door Policy -
“The ultimate authority of the Republican Party is the precinct, and the authority of the precinct is the activist. As your State Chair, I will emphasize the Party is governed from the bottom up, not the top down. I will involve the various groups around the state who advocate issues in agreement with our platform, and make sure they have both a seat at the table and a voice in the debate. My years as Executive Director of OK-SAFE have shown me how effective activism is outside the Party – it is time to bring that energy inside.”

Platform -
“The core principles of the Republican Party are expressed in our Platform. Our public officials should be familiar with our Platform, and should be encouraged to stand up for it. As Chair I will work to remind them of what they espoused when they ran as a Republican – and what we expect them to do. We must restore the relevance of our Party and the label “Republican” in the eyes of the public.”

Policies -
“I am well known for my advocacy. I have studied the policies concerning most Oklahomans, including “Obama Care”, the chipping away of our 2nd Amendment rights, the adoption of the Common Core State Standard, and infringements on both individual liberty and property rights. These policies, and others like them, are a direct assault on our God-given rights to life, liberty, and property and are leading to the overgrowth of government and diminution of local control.

9. List some of the individuals who are publicly supporting your candidacy that delegates
might recognize.

The growing list of endorsements is featured on the Teegardenforokgop.com website, including that of Rep. (Pastor) Dan Fisher, Dan Keating, former Rep. Charles Key, 1st Dist. Committee Member Don Wyatt, State Committee Members TC Ryan and Joanna Francisco, OK2A, Tom DeWeese of the American Policy Center, various grassroots groups leaders, County and Precinct Chairman, as well as the Tulsa Beacon newspaper.

10. Here's your closing statement - cover whatever you want to talk about.

The Republican Party has an opportunity before them – by acknowledging our Founding Principles and standing by them, we can become the party of choice for the people of Oklahoma.

“America is at an historic crossroads that will determine whether our grandchildren will enjoy the blessings of freedom or the curse of tyranny. Never has the need for principled, courageous state legislators, state, county and local officials, been so great to resist and roll back the power of the Federal government. As your next GOP State Chairman, I will work tirelessly to help make Oklahoma the model for the nation.”

Thanks for participating, Amanda!



And that concludes our survey of announced candidates for chair and vice-chair. Below are the links to each survey. I hope that this series has been informative, and will help delegates decide on which candidates to support for these crucial party offices.

Current candidates for OKGOP Chair:

Dave Weston -- survey here

Amanda Teegarden -- survey here

Current candidates for OKGOP Vice-Chair:

Denise Crosswhite Hader -- survey here

Sara Jo Odom -- survey here

Richard Engle -- survey here

Meet the Candidates: Sara Jo Odom, OKGOP Vice-Chair hopeful

Sara Jo Odom, candidate for Oklahoma Republican Party vice-chair

With the 2013 Oklahoma Republican Party State Convention coming up next weekend, we continue our series on the individuals who have publicly announced their candidacy to replace outgoing Chairman Matt Pinnell and outgoing Vice-Chair Pam Pollard. Today, let's look at the responses from the last public Vice-Chair candidate, Sara Jo Odom.

The other announced candidates are Denise Crosswhite Hader (her survey is posted here) and Richard Engle (his survey is posted here). For chairman, Dave Weston and Amanda Teegarden are the current candidates. You can view Weston's survey here; I still have not received a response from Teegarden.

Now, meet Sara Jo Odom.

1. Tell us a little bit about your personal side.

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, graduated Northwest Classen High School and The University of Oklahoma. Spent 30 years away from Oklahoma, living in several other states, 2 years in Germany, and 20 years in New Hampshire. Three grown children and six grandchildren. In 1997, I was blessed to be able to return to Oklahoma– definitely God’s Country! Registered Republican as soon as I was old enough to vote! Active member at Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Edmond.

2. What involvement have you had in the past with the Republican Party (from precinct-level to RNC)? If possible, include approximate dates.

•  National Federation of Republican Women – Board of Directors – 7 years
• Secretary; Legislative Chairman; Nominating Committee; Leadership Committee
• Region 9 Director – Liaison with Republican Women in CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, RI and Washington, D.C.
• Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women
• Served as President for four years
• Current member OKCRWC; Associate Member Heartland Republican Women & Edmond Republican Women
• Oklahoma City Republican Women’s Club
• Various officer positions and President for two years
• Currently serving on Outreach Committee
• Vice-Chairman – Oklahoma County GOP
• OK GOP Executive Committee
• Worked for Republicans in New Hampshire while living there, and have been an active volunteer for Republican candidates since moving back to Oklahoma

3. Do you currently hold any Republican Party office?

I am currently on the Executive Committee of the OK County GOP and received an award for volunteer work back in February. Current NFRW Secretary; Current Executive Committee -- Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women

4. What political involvement have you had outside of the Republican Party (i.e. campaigns, elected office, political groups, etc.)? If possible, include approximate dates.

Outside the Republican Party -- a member of Eagle Forum, Oklahoma; Americans for Prosperity; Concerned Women for America; -- all of these since 2006.

5. There have been eight state conventions in the last decade; how many have you attended (and which)?

I have attended all of the state conventions since 2003.  (I lived away from Oklahoma until my return in late 1997.)

6. What prompted you to run for this office?

I decided not to run for higher office of the National Federation of Republican Women, and that I should concentrate my volunteer work in Oklahoma.  I believe that my leadership experience is a good fit for this position.

7. What are your top priorities if elected as vice-chair?

 Top priorities: 

• a)  To "keep the ball rolling" by continuing to register new Republicans, and target conservative Democrats and Independents to register Republican;
• b) to immerse the Oklahoma Republican Party in any and all ways of communicating and training around the state, i.e., webinars, conference calls, live-streaming meetings, etc. and
• c) hold countywide round-table discussions, inviting ANYONE who would like to become involved in our Party to participate.  Then, use the best of the ideas we receive and share them with all the counties.

8. What five issues should the Republican Party focus on politically?

1. Decreasing the size of government
2. Protecting our individual liberties
3. Reducing taxes
4. Immigration reform
5. National Security.

9. List some of the individuals who are publicly supporting your candidacy that delegates might recognize.

Steve Fair, National Committeeman (Fair says he "has not taken a public position in the Vice Chair race"); Carolyn McLarty, National Committeewoman; Evelyn McCoy, President of the Oklahoma City Republican Women's Club; Sandra Leaver, President of Edmond Republican Women; Heather Cline, President of Heartland Republican Women; and many others

10. Here's your closing statement - cover whatever you want to talk about.

I believe that I am eminently qualified for this position of leadership -- having served in leadership positions in Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, Eagle Forum, Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women and National Federation of Republican Women.  I believe that the first responsibility of a leader is to raise up other leaders, and that a GREAT leader has left his/her ego behind -- and gives credit to anyone who helps get the job done.  I love Oklahoma, and I am a very loyal and devoted Republican -- having registered Republican back when it wasn't popular to do so.  The Oklahoma Republican Party has come such a long way in the past 15 years, and now that we have all statewide offices as well as all our Congressmen and Senators, I believe we should make sure that we hold all of them accountable.  We can't take anything for granted!  If Oklahoma can flip from a Democrat-controlled state to a Republican-controlled state -- then it can flip back!  We need to keep educating young voters, minority voters and women voters as to why the Republican Party stands for the highest ideals and values, and is the ONLY party that wants to truly protect their rights.

Thanks for participating, Sara Jo!

[UPDATE]

Current candidates for OKGOP Chair:
Dave Weston -- survey here
Amanda Teegarden -- survey here

Current candidates for OKGOP Vice-Chair:
Denise Crosswhite Hader -- survey here
Sara Jo Odom -- survey here
Richard Engle -- survey here