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Why Are You Running? Oklahoma Candidates Say Why They’re in the Race – Oklahoma Watch

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Why Are You Running? Oklahoma Candidates Say Why They’re in the Race – Oklahoma Watch


Editor’s notice: If you’re a candidate not talked about right here and need to discuss why you might be working this yr, you may attain out to Oklahoma Watch reporter Trevor Brown at tbrown@oklahomawatch.org to arrange an interview. Solutions are deliberate to be included in a digital voters’ information that might be up to date all year long. 

Tons of of candidates formally joined Oklahoma’s 2022 marketing campaign season by formally submitting with the state over final week’s three-day submitting interval. 

The candidates will now start making the case to voters why they need to be elected later this yr. Oklahoma Watch talked with some candidates as they filed their paperwork to see why they need to maintain statewide, congressional, legislative or judicial workplaces. 

Arturo Alonso

Arturo Alonso 

Operating for: State Home District 89 (South Oklahoma Metropolis)

Get together: Democrat

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Why are they working: “My coronary heart is in my neighborhood. I grew up in District 89 and hope to herald a brand new perspective. I’m not a standard politician. I’m really an engineer and I wish to drawback clear up and construct issues. I do know that our state and our neighborhood face plenty of issues and I hope to make use of my mindset and the folks and connections I’m making to actually make a change.” 

Nick Archer

Nick Archer

Operating for: State Home District 55 (Elk Metropolis, Sayre, Cheyenne) 

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “I’ve been the mayor of Elk Metropolis for the final two phrases and District 55 has an open seat this yr, so it felt like the proper time to take that step. I feel rural well being care is necessary, particularly to our smaller communities in western Oklahoma. And the Second Modification. I’m a firearms producer, so I all the time shield our Second Modification.” 

Michelle Lee Bodine-Keely

Michelle Lee Bodine-Keely

Operating for: District Decide, District 14, Workplace 5

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why they’re working: “I’ve been a public servant my complete life. I used to be lucky sufficient to have been appointed to this place, and I simply really feel like I’ve a job to do. There are lots of people in jail who have to be tried they usually’re simply ready for his or her trial. I feel I’ve the judicial expertise and temperament to get to them.”

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April Brown

April Brown

Operating for: State Home District 48 (Ardmore, Davis, Healdton)

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “I’m a freedom fighter, an Military veteran and I’ve seen our rights been infringed the final two years. I’ve requested our state representatives to step up and shield us and sadly they haven’t. As a constitutional conservative and an Military veteran I do know what it means to guard the Structure.”

Brady Butler 

Brady Butler 

Operating for: State Senate District 26 (Watonga, Anadarko, Sayre)

Get together: Republican 

Why they’re working: “Our governments are basically damaged. They not signify the folks properly. We’re killing infants at 5,000 per yr. A Republican authorities is one the place the folks maintain supreme energy, and I don’t suppose you would persuade 10% of the state’s inhabitants that they maintain energy in state authorities. I’d wish to see good illustration and biblical Christian values carried out in our state authorities and push again in opposition to the D.C. overreach.” 

Abby Money

Abby Money

Operating for: Affiliate District Decide, Beaver County 

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why they’re working: “It’s been over three many years since there was a judicial choice or race in our county. We’ve all the time had an appointed choose. I simply consider that proper now there’s a swelling of those who need to take again our democracy and really forged votes for the those who signify them. So I’ve chosen to run for choose to provide folks an opportunity to have a selection.” 

Josh Cantrell

Josh Cantrell

Operating for: State Home District 49 (Marietta, Madill, Thackerville)

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “Our present consultant (Tommy Hardin) is term-limited out. He’s been nice. We’re a rural space and I need to make sure that it stays rural. I need rural folks to be represented with somebody who already is aware of the difficulty folks have. I’m pro-life, large Second Modification, transportation and state rights. These are the massive 4 points for me.” 

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Heather Coyle

Heather Coyle

Operating for: District Decide, District 7, Workplace 8 (Oklahoma County)

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why they’re working: “I benefit from the work and being on the bench. I feel it’s so necessary to deal with everybody with respect and that’s how I conduct enterprise in my courtroom.”

Jo Glenn

Jo Glenn

Operating for: U.S. Senate 

Get together: Democrat

Why they’re working: “We have to shield democracy on this nation. They’re carving it away and slicing it out with voter suppression. I watched and I hoped the courts would maintain it and Congress would maintain it, however they haven’t. I’m working in opposition to Sen. (James) Lankford as a result of he proved on January 6, 2021, that he was part of the group that wished to overthrow the federal government.” 

Ellyn Hefner

Ellyn Hefner

Operating for: State Home District 87 (Oklahoma Metropolis) 

Get together: Democrat 

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Why they’re working: “I’m a longtime advocate for adopting children with disabilities. There’s an understanding I’ve about lack of entry to high quality psychological well being care. As an advocate, I perceive the budgeting course of. Why do we’ve got so many individuals we pay salaries for however just a few folks resolve our price range? Public faculties have been necessary to my youngster, and we have to strengthen public faculties.” 

Matthew D. Huggans

Matthew D. Huggans

Operating for: State Home District 42 (Lindsay, Washington, Maysville)

Get together: Republican

Why they’re running: “The political local weather these days is the place folks discuss quite a bit however don’t do quite a bit, and I simply had sufficient of it. Abortion must utterly been gone. My second large difficulty is election integrity. I’m simply mad about it.” 

Connie Johnson

Connie Johnson

Operating for: Governor

Get together: Democrat

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Why are they working: “I’m working to offer the advantage of my over 40 years of expertise within the political, legislative course of. And to provide management within the areas that make the distinction in all of Oklahomans lives resembling schooling and higher-ed, jobs, infrastructure, well being — the necessity for psychological well being and competent supply methods — and the necessity for the reform of our justice system. Oklahoma is a personal jail industrial advanced and we can’t maintain that stage of funding by criminalizing behaviors which might be non-violent. And finally (I’m working) as an advocate for all the folks within the disparate teams: The veterans, folks with disabilities, the unhoused, folks coping with immigration points, girls — particularly girls within the reproductive ages.”

Gregory Johnson

Gregory Johnson

Operating for: Affiliate District Decide (Marshall County)

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why they’re working: “I used to be appointed by Gov. (Mary) Fallin in 2011. I ran in 2014, and once more in 2018 and ended up successful an uncontested race in 2018. So, I’m hoping I win uncontested this yr. It will in all probability be the final time earlier than I retire.” 

Jeff McCommas

Jeff McCommas

Operating for: State Senate District 28 (Lincoln, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties)

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “I need to work on agriculture, schooling and a few tax reform. We have to revitalize our essential streets and produce rural communities again to life.”

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Jamey Mullin

Jamey Mullin

Operating for: State Senate District 28 (Lincoln, Pottawatomie, Logan, Oklahoma, Seminole counties)

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “I feel (enterprise) has been overregulated, which has been a giant difficulty. Help for our officers is a giant factor and I’m actually troubled by the shortage of help, even right here in Oklahoma.” 

Gunner Ocskai

Gunner Ocskai

Operating for: State Home District 63 (South Lawton, Cache, Frederick)

Get together: Libertarian 

Why they’re working: “I really feel like the present establishment is untenable. That goes for mainly any political get together. My soul doesn’t need to be a hypocrite. In the end, if I have been to complain about what’s incorrect with my space of society and never do something about it then I’d be a hypocrite. I felt morally compelled to behave.”

Timothy Olsen 

Timothy Olsen 

Operating for: District Decide, District 22 (Hughes, Pontotoc and Seminole counties)

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

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Why they’re working: “I would like yet another time period to retire. I’ve been at it for 16 years.”

Patrick Pickerill

Patrick Pickerill

Operating for: Affiliate District Decide (Pawnee County)

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why they’re working: “The work will not be carried out in Pawnee County. We haven’t gotten our drug court docket all the way in which up and we simply began neighborhood sentencing, so I need to see that during. We’ve plenty of packages, together with placing prisoners to work inside and out of doors the jail so taxpayers can get their cash’s value.”

James Siderias 

James Siderias 

Operating for: District Decide, District 7 Workplace 14 (Oklahoma County)

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why are they working: “It’s actually necessary that the general public believes that once they seem earlier than a choose, who’s oftentimes the final line of protection for them, that they’re getting any individual that’s neutral, that’s truthful, that’s skilled, and that’s conscious of the problems. I’m working for my seat to ensure that impartiality and equity are the mainstays in courts.” 

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Mark Sherwood

Mark Sherwood

Operating for: Governor 

Get together: Republican

Why are they working: “I regarded on the standing of the state and thought we have to make a change. There’s a lack of accountability from the highest and I feel our constitutional rights have been violated. I feel being a non-politician is strictly what we’d like. “

Cindy Truong 

Cindy Truong 

Operating for: District Decide, District 7, Workplace 7 (Oklahoma County) 

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

Why are they working: “As a result of I need to proceed to do the job that I really like a lot. And since I need to serve the folks of Oklahoma County.”

Tanya Wilson

Tanya Wilson

Operating for: District Decide, Tulsa County (District 14, Workplace 12)

Get together: Non-partisan workplace

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Why they’re working: “I’m presently a particular choose in Tulsa County. I get pleasure from serving my neighborhood and the constituents of Tulsa County, and I need to proceed to do this work as a district choose.” 

Max Wolfley

Max Wolfley

Operating for: State Home District 95, (Oklahoma Metropolis/Midwest Metropolis) 

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “It’s been an honor serving the Mid-Del/Tinker (Air Drive Base) space, and I really feel like there’s nonetheless quite a bit we have to get carried out to enhance schooling and well being care and to take care of the results of plenty of dangerous insurance policies on the federal stage.” 

Tom Woods 

Tom Woods 

Operating for: State Senate District 4 (Sallisaw, Poteau, Vian)

Get together: Republican

Why they’re working: “My background is in small enterprise, working a feed retailer and a farm. What motivated me was to push folks to be higher financially educated in our faculties, to keep away from the pitfalls of very bad credit. In addition they want to know the facility of residence possession and saving for retirement.” 

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Trevor Brown has been an Oklahoma Watch reporter since 2016. He covers politics, elections, well being insurance policies and authorities accountability points. Name or textual content him at (630) 301-0589. Electronic mail him at tbrown@oklahomawatch.org. Observe him on Twitter at @tbrownokc

Paul Monies has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2017. He covers state companies and public well being. Name or textual content him at (571) 319-3289 or e-mail pmonies@oklahomawatch.org. Observe him on Twitter at @pmonies. 

Lionel Ramos is a Report for America corps member who covers race and fairness points for Oklahoma Watch. Contact him at (210) 416-3672 or lramos@oklahomawatch.org. Observe him on Twitter at @LionelRamos21

Keaton Ross is a Report for America corps member who covers jail situations and legal justice points for Oklahoma Watch. Contact him at (405) 831-9753 or Kross@Oklahomawatch.org. Observe him on Twitter at @_KeatonRoss

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Oklahoma

What will 2025 bring for Oklahoma State athletics? We make 25 bold predictions for Pokes

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What will 2025 bring for Oklahoma State athletics? We make 25 bold predictions for Pokes


STILLWATER — The new year is always a good time for prognostication.

Oklahoma State enters the 2025 calendar year with a mix of excitement, hope and curiosity — and maybe a hint of anxiousness — depending on the sport you’re following.

So let’s dive into what’s ahead for the Cowboys and Cowgirls with 25 predictions for 2025:

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Football

1. A 9-win season for the Pokes

After a dramatic and difficult offseason, coach Mike Gundy and his rebuilt coaching staff turn the Cowboys around. They triple their win total from 2024, posting a nine-win season and contending for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game until the final weekend of the regular season.

2. Rodney Fields Jr. has a breakout year

A native of Wright City and a graduate of Del City High School, Fields becomes a homegrown star, rushing for over 1,000 yards in his redshirt freshman season.

3. Malik Charles is Big 12’s top defensive newcomer

The Cowboy defense’s breakout player will be one who has yet to play a major college snap. OSU fans, familiarize yourself with West Georgia transfer Malik Charles, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end who didn’t fully dedicate himself to football until after high school. 

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4. Gabe Panikowski contends for another trophy

New OSU placekicker Gabe Panikowski is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award one year after he won the Fred Mitchell Award as college football’s top kicker below the FBS level.

5. A speedy NFL combine showing for Korie Black

Korie Black runs a top-five time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, helping to boost his draft stock.

6. Ollie Gordon II goes early in the NFL Draft

Also benefiting from a strong performance at the combine, running back Ollie Gordon II is the first Cowboy selected in the NFL Draft, going in the second round.

7. Six Pokes drafted

Receiver Brennan Presley is picked in the seventh round of the draft, making it six former Pokes to be chosen in the three-day event.

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Wrestling

8. OSU wrestling back atop Big 12

With several wrestlers making deep runs through their brackets, OSU returns to the top of the Big 12 with a championship at the BOK Center in Tulsa, edging Missouri and Arizona State in the championship session. 

9. Four Cowboys reach NCAA wrestling finals

With four wrestlers reaching the NCAA finals, the Cowboys finish second to Penn State in the chase for a national title, announcing themselves as a legit threat to the Nittany Lions’ dynasty.

10. Special recognition for David Taylor

In his first season leading the Cowboys, David Taylor is named college wrestling coach of the year after guiding OSU to a resurgent season that establishes the basis of the program’s expectations going forward.

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Women’s basketball

11. A 3-pointer record for the Cowgirls

Cowgirl basketball sets the Big 12 record for 3-pointers in a game with 21 — if not more. They’ve already tied the record of 20 in a game earlier this season, and Micah Gray set the OSU record, making 10 in a game.

12. A ‘W’ in the Big Dance

The Cowgirls get their first NCAA Tournament win under head coach Jacie Hoyt, who gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in mid-December.

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Men’s basketball

13. Four league wins on the hardwood

Despite showing notable improvement on the court, the men’s basketball team ends with the same number of Big 12 wins as it did a year ago. The current version of the conference is a murderers’ row, particularly for a program trying to rebuild.  

14. Bryce Thompson to the G League

Getting his professional shot the nearly same way former Cowboy and current Golden State Warrior Lindy Waters III did, OSU guard Bryce Thompson lands on the roster of the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue.

Baseball

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15. Nolan Schubart drops 30 bombs 

Slugging outfielder Nolan Schubart hits 30 home runs on his rise to being a first-round selection in the MLB Draft.

16. A road regional win for Cowboy baseball

The baseball team fails to earn an NCAA Regional host berth as a top-16 seed, but advances to the Super Regional round on the road, falling one win short of a spot in the Men’s College World Series.

17. Happy Holliday goes No. 1

Though he’s committed to OSU, Ethan Holliday never makes it to campus. The nephew of Cowboy coach Josh Holliday follows in the footsteps of older brother Jackson in being selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft.

Softball

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18. Karli Godwin sets Cowgirl homer record

Softball’s Karli Godwin breaks the program record for home runs in a season with 21. The record of 20 is held by Sam Show. Godwin hit 15 homers last year, setting the OSU freshman record. 

19. Cowgirls conquer Big 12

The softball team asserts its dominance over the new-look Big 12 with an overpowering run to win the regular-season title, followed by a Big 12 Tournament championship as well.

20. Sixth straight WCWS trip

For the sixth straight time, OSU earns a spot in the Women’s College World Series, coming in Kenny Gajewski’s 10th season as coach.

Tennis

21. A banner to hang

Cowgirl tennis brings the school its first NCAA national championship in women’s athletics. OSU won the ITA indoor title last season, but that isn’t an officially recognized NCAA championship. 

Equestrian

22. An equestrian five-peat

On its way to another strong showing at nationals, OSU equestrian wins the Big 12 Championship for the fifth straight time.

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Golf

23. Elite Eight for men’s golf

Relying on a consistently balanced lineup, Cowboy golf advances to the matchplay bracket as a top-eight team in the NCAA Championships.

Olympics

24. Golden going for gold

Once again showing off her broad athletic talents, former OSU women’s basketball and track athlete Bailey Golden qualifies for the 2026 Olympics as part of the USA Bobsled team.

Facilities

25. New facilities on the horizon

OSU announces that it has the funding for an indoor track facility and a new softball stadium, along with breaking ground on the previously announced Boone Pickens Human Performance Innovation Complex.



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Oklahoma State’s Returning Receivers Have Large Voids to Fill

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Oklahoma State’s Returning Receivers Have Large Voids to Fill


Oklahoma State will have to replace some of its top producers from last season, and a few returning players will need to fill those voids.

OSU entered the 2024 season as a Big 12 contender and had one of the most experienced teams in the country. Although OSU went 3-9 and missed a bowl game for the first time in nearly two decades, that didn’t change the status of its roster.

With so many players in their final year of eligibility, almost every position took a hit. Of course, that included the receiver room. With Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens heading onto the next stages of their career and De’Zhaun Stribling transferring to Ole Miss, the Cowboys will be without their top three receivers from 2024.

While the Cowboys could still make some additions to the receiver room through the portal, next season’s top three receivers could simply be players looking to make a leap from their 2024 season. Talyn Shettron, Da’Wain Lofton and Gavin Freeman are all slated to be back in Stillwater in 2025 and could be the stars of OSU’s passing game.

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Shettron was the Cowboys’ fourth-leading receiver in 2024 and showed some glimpses of his potential, particularly in a 110-yard performance against Tulsa. He finished the year with 12 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown, playing in nine games before an injury ended his season early. Considering Shettron’s speed and elusiveness, he should be the early favorite to lead the Cowboys in receiving next season.

Meanwhile, a couple of transfers will need to make an impact in their second seasons in Stillwater. With Lofton and Freeman each taking a redshirt in 2024, their usage was limited, but their talent was apparent. With each finishing with six catches in four games, Lofton and Freeman’s contrasting styles could make them a perfect pair alongside Shettron.

Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.



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Oklahoma AG dismisses assault charge against officer who slammed 71-year-old man to the ground | CNN

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Oklahoma AG dismisses assault charge against officer who slammed 71-year-old man to the ground | CNN



Oklahoma City
AP
 — 

Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general dismissed a felony assault charge Friday against a police officer who slammed a 71-year-old man to the ground, breaking his neck, during an argument over a traffic ticket.

Gentner Drummond announced that he had intervened in the case and dismissed the aggravated assault and battery charge against Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Joseph Gibson, 28.

Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna charged Gibson this month after body-worn camera video released by police showed Gibson throwing Lich Vu to the ground after Vu touched Gibson during the argument following a non-injury traffic accident October 27.

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“As attorney general, I will not permit Oklahoma police officers to face criminal prosecution for conduct adhering to their training,” Drummond said in a statement. “While the outcome of this incident is unquestionably devastating for Mr. Vu and his family, I do not believe the officer exhibited criminal intent.”

Prosecutors said Vu suffered a brain bleed and a broken neck and eye socket.

Behenna said in a statement that she was “surprised and disappointed that Attorney General Gentner Drummond took this case away from my office and the citizens of Oklahoma County.”

She said previously that after evaluating the case, prosecutors determined Gibson’s actions were an unreasonable use of force.

Drummond said Vu should not have touched Gibson during the argument.

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“No individual is allowed to hit or push an officer, regardless of whether he or she doesn’t understand English well or comes from a different culture,” Drummond said. “The simple truth is, this unfortunate incident never would have occurred if Mr. Vu had kept his hands to himself.”

The use of force prompted outrage in Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community, particularly since the video shows Vu had difficulty communicating with Gibson during the interaction and appeared not to understand what the officer was telling him.

Gibson’s attorney, former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, said Drummond’s decision to drop the charge was “well reasoned and correct.”

Mark Nelson, president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, said no officer wants to see someone injured and he hopes Vu makes a swift and full recovery.

“However, our members often have to make split-second decisions, and they cannot control the outcome of every situation,” Nelson said in a statement. “Unfortunately, when someone resists law enforcement, they increase the risk of harm to themselves or others.”

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