Oklahoma

Oklahoma Democrat and GOP Leaders React To President Biden's Address

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2024

Oklahoma Democrat and GOP Leaders React To President Biden's Address

Oklahoma County Democrats Optimistic After President Biden’s Address

The Vice President of the Oklahoma County Democratic Party said President Biden’s words reminded him of the late John F. Kennedy. Jay Bridwell referred to Biden’s phrase “to pass the torch to a new generation.” Kennedy used those words in his inaugural address in 1961 when he talked about passing leadership responsibilities to the future of our communities.

Bridwell watched Wednesday night’s address with his family at his home in Edmond. He said Biden’s words offer him hope during a rocky political climate.

Bridwell said he could feel the energy inside his party again. Bridwell was optimistic about the future with the change to Vice President Kamala Harris potentially leading the top of the Democratic ticket. He said this election year offers Americans a chance to bring fresh ideas to the White House.

“What is your purpose and what do you aspire to be? Bridwell said. “As long as we continue to navigate toward an opportunity for a black woman from California to be the next president of the United States, that opens up so many possibilities for others in like communities.”

Apart from politics, Bridwell cherished chances to be with his family watching the evening news and listening to the President speak from the Oval Office. The decades worth of news over the past two weeks brought back old traditions.

Bridwell used to watch the news with his late parents as a child. He said the public needs to restore the lost art of civic engagement regardless of political ideals.

Republican Reaction To Biden Address

Republicans are paying close attention to the Democratic National Committee following President Biden’s departure from the presidential race, and Kamala Harris’ rise as the presumptive nominee. It follows the RNC convention in Milwaukee, where many speakers aimed their messages toward Biden.

In Oklahoma County, GOP chairman Ken Warner believes Biden’s address carried the same messages democratic leaders have already attached themselves to through the race.

“I would say, this speech tonight, I think is his way of saying goodbye in some ways,” Warner said. “And I don’t know how much his mental acuity will affect the next six months. As far as being president, I don’t necessarily buy into the fact that if he gets out of the race for the presidency for a second term it will compromise him being able to run the country a little bit [longer].”

Warner also expanded on his decision not to call on Biden’s resignation, because it would mean Kamala Harris would immediately step into the remainder of the presidency. Harris, he believes, is farther on the left than Biden.

While Oklahoma is a securely red state, Warner imagines that voters in battleground states will largely be spoken to in the language of economics. While Biden’s administration has underscored achievements to create jobs and stimulate the economy, Warner argues that everyday inflation is too extreme for average Americans to accept Biden’s accomplishments.

“I think Trump is the right pick right now,” Warner said. “Because I think we’re a nation in peril and we’ve got to reestablish ourselves and become the leader of the free world again. And because right now we’re not.”

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Oklahoma

Most Oklahoma voters didn’t cast a ballot during June’s primary election

Published

10 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Most Oklahoma voters didn’t cast a ballot during June’s primary election

Just 26%, or about one in four registered Oklahoma voters, cast a ballot in the race, according to an analysis of the results.

In total, 630,085 people weighed in on a state question to gradually increase the minimum wage. It was the only race open to Democrats, Republicans and independents, who weren’t eligible to vote in partisan races.

Democrats have typically opened their closed primaries to include independents, but failed to submit the paperwork for this year’s primaries on time. Some voters expressed frustration with the system on election day.

This year’s polls drew fewer voters than in 2018, the last time there was a similar gubernatorial race without incumbents. The election included a state question to approve medical marijuana, and 44% of registered voters cast ballots.

There are almost 1.3 million registered Republicans in Oklahoma, but the GOP race for governor only garnered about 400,000 ballots. Out of more than 613,000 registered Democrats, only about 172,000 voted in Tuesday’s election.

Even though general elections are usually better attended, Oklahoma’s numbers were also low during the 2024 presidential election. One report from the University of Florida rated Oklahoma’s turnout at the time as the lowest in the nation.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho

Published

20 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho

NORMAN — Oklahoma softball’s transfer portal activity may have been fairly slow developing.

But now, as the portal window nears its end, the Sooners have started having success.

Oklahoma added outfielder Adi Hansen, a standout at the College of Southern Idaho for the last two seasons on Thursday.

Hansen’s announcement, made on Instagram, followed shortly after Middle Tennessee outfielder Macie Harter announced her commitment to the Sooners.

Hansen led the Golden Eagles with a .457 batting average in 186 at bats in 2026, with an eye-popping 82 runs scored and a school-record 62 stolen bases on 67 attempts.

Hansen had 17 games with two or more stolen bases this season and twice had four stolen bases in a game.

Hansen had four triples and 21 RBIs, drawing 23 walks.

She earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors, helping her team finish 43-13 with a NJCAA Division I Juco World Series appearance.

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In 2025, as a freshman, Hansen hit .401 with 36 stolen bases and 62 ruyns scored.

Hansen is a Logan, Utah, product.

Hansen and Harter join a group of outfielders that includes Kai Minor in centerfield and Ella Parker in right field.

The Sooners lost Abby Dayton to graduation and Kasidi Pickering to transfer after the season. Pickering will reportedly transfer to Texas Tech.

Oklahoma finished 52-10 last season, missing the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015 after falling to Mississippi State in three games in the Norman Super Regional.

The Sooners have a strong incoming recruiting class and return a trio of pitchers — Audrey Lowry, Miali Guachino and Allyssa Parker — as well as experienced hitters Kendall Wells, Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas plus Minor and Ella Parker.

In addition to the departures of Dayton and Pickering, the Sooners also lost pitchers Sydney Berzon and Kierston Deal, first baseman Isabela Emerling, and second baseman Ailana Agbayani to graduation. Outfielder Tia Milloy, pitcher Berkley Zache and utility player Riley Zache also entered the transfer portal.

Oklahoma’s incoming class includes Edmond Santa Fe pitcher Keegan Baker, Lakewood, Calif., infielder Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Mililani, Hawaii, infielder Ori Mailo, Fullerton, Calif., pitcher Malaya Majam-Finch, Katy, Texas, pitcher EK Smith, and Mesa, Ariz., outfilder Payton Westra.

Mailo was with the Sooners this season, redshirting after joining the program a year early.

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