2010 Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor

League of Women Voters^®
of Norman

2010 Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor

LWV of Oklahoma Voter's Guide to 2010 Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Governor: Democrats. Governor: Republicans. Lieutenant Governor: Democrats. Lieutenant Governor: Republicans. Lieutenant Governor: Independents.

Questions were submitted to all candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor by the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma. Unedited responses follow on this page.
At the polls on Tuesday, July 27 (Primary Election) voters registered as Democrats will receive a ballot with the names of candidates running as Democrats. Voters registered as Republicans will receive a ballot with the names of candidates running as Republicans.
When one candidate for an office fails to receive a majority of the party's votes, a winner will be decided at a Primary Runoff on August 24. The winner of the Democratic Primary, the winner of the Republican Primary, and candidates running as independents will face off in the General Election on November 2, 2010.

Democrats Running for Governor

Jari Askins (D) http://www.JariAskins.com
Drew Edmondson (D) http://www.edmondson2010.com
Qualifications: List the educational, professional, or community experiences, which prepare you to be a good governor. Please list you campaign website to give voters access to additional information. (100-word limit)
Jari Askins:
I want to put my experience and ability to work for Oklahoma. These are tough times and I want to help the state I love with all my heart. I think my experience as a judge, legislator, head of the Pardon and Parole Board and Lt. Governor gives me the right background to lead. I also believe we need a governor who can work with both parties and bring them together in the best interest of all Oklahomans. That is what I did as a legislator and that's what I will do as governor.
More information is available at JariAskins.com.
Drew Edmondson:

Navy veteran with service in Vietnam.
Four-term Attorney General, winning by more than 60 percent in last two elections.
Served as president of National Association of Attorneys General.
Won lawsuit against tobacco industry, gaining $2 billion settlement for Oklahoma.
Established fund to place technology in Oklahoma classrooms.
Protected waterways in litigation against poultry companies.
Attacked Medicaid fraud, established victims' services, represented rate payers.
Elected unopposed to three terms as Muskogee County District Attorney.
Selected state's Outstanding District Attorney.
Served in Legislature, worked as classroom teacher
http://www.edmondson2010.com

Economy: What in your opinion is the most important thing you could do as governor to improve the economy of Oklahoma? (100-word limit)
Jari Askins:
First and foremost is building a better-educated workforce. We need to do our best to make sure every high school graduate is ready to work at a skilled job or to succeed in college. We also need to concentrate on growing the number of college graduates. That's not just my opinion. It's what I hear from business leaders here in Oklahoma and in other states as I meet with them in my role as Lt. Governor.
We must also continue efforts to relieve small businesses from a complicated maze of regulations. Small businesses are our greatest job creators.
Drew Edmondson:

Follow my Oklahoma Works blueprint for growing state economy.
Protect taxpayers by cutting waste.
Take the lead in economic development.
Implement Oklahoma Opportunity Fund to use for attracting new jobs.
Assess effectiveness of Job Creation Tax Credits
Use leadership in natural gas, wind, biomass and solar.
Work with tribal governments to drive regional economies.
Link CareerTech, colleges and universities with business to assure trained workforce.
Review effects of 2009 tort reform to see if additional reforms are needed.
Create Small Business Advocate to guide business through Oklahoma's regulations.

Health: How do you propose taking care of Oklahomans' health needs? (100-word limit)
Jari Askins:
It is obvious that far too many Oklahomans are without health care. It is equally obvious that unfunded federal mandates are not the answer.
I believe in improving and expanding the Insure Oklahoma program. This innovative plan was created in Oklahoma to help low-income, working adults and their children get health insurance. The state covers 60 percent of the cost, the employer 25 percent and the employee just 15 percent. Insure Oklahoma is a model for the nation and I want to make it even better while working with the federal government to make sure Medicare and Medicaid remain solvent.
Drew Edmondson:

Secure greater access to health insurance through public programs and employer-sponsored insurance.
Maximize funding of Insure Oklahoma.
Address Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls.
Optimize public-private partnerships such as funding OSU Medical Center.
Maximize patient use of OU Cancer Institute.
Prevent youngsters from starting to use tobacco.
Remove junk food from schools, increase opportunities for physical activity.
Create comprehensive health plan for children infant to 18.
Provide increased prenatal care.
Bring greater focus to reducing number of unintended pregnancies.
Provide incentives to keep rural health care providers in communities.

Corrections: What can be done to ease the problems in our prisons? (100-word limit)
Jari Askins:
All law-abiding citizens believe we should be tough on crime. That's what I did as a judge, head of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board and as a legislator. At the same time, I've always believed "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
We need to be smart about prisons. I wrote the law establishing Drug Courts, giving offenders a chance to stay out of prison if they behaved themselves. I also worked for legislation allowing community sentencing for non-violent offenders.
Drew Edmondson:

Adopt approaches that are more economical and more effective than long-term incarceration.
Support Department of Mental Health "Smart on Crime" proposal.
Support pilot program to reduce number of women sentenced to prison for nonviolent offenses.
Explore treatment options for first time non-violent offenders instead of prison
Give prosecutors discretion to require Community Service rather than prison time.
Invest in Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts and Veterans Courts statewide.
Allow pardon and parole board to function without undue interference.

Education: How can we assure a quality education for all Oklahoma children in light of budget cuts? (100-word limit)
Jari Askins:
If there is a silver lining to budget cuts, it may be that school districts are taking a hard look at making the most of every dollar. One of the ways efficiency can be accomplished is by better use of technology. Not every school can afford an accomplished expert to teach math, science or foreign language. They can afford computers and video classrooms allowing access and interaction with great teachers.
Administrative costs can be reduced by sharing services between our smaller school districts.
We need to thoroughly review our goals, testing and the way we motivate students to learn.
Drew Edmondson:

Provide educational services economically by combining administrative services.
Require accountability for educators: Reward top performers and exit those who fail.
Encourage more accountability for students and involvement by parents.
Identify at-risk students as early as possible.
Sustain top-notch pre-K programs.
Place reading specialists in elementary schools and more math and science teachers in middle and high schools.
Reduce high school dropouts by providing variety and challenge for all students
Have goal of offering public school students education as good as any they would receive in private or charter schools.

Republicans Running for Governor

Randy Brogdon (R) http://www.randybrogdon.com no response
Mary Fallin (R) http://www.maryfallin.org
Robert Hubbard (R) http://www.hubbardokgov2010.com
Roger Jackson (R) http://www.jacksonforokgov.com
Qualifications: List the educational, professional, or community experiences, which prepare you to be a good governor. Please list you campaign website to give voters access to additional information. (100-word limit)
Mary Fallin:
I am the only candidate in the race for governor to have private sector experience as well as experience as an elected official on both the state and federal level. I served as a state representative for 4 years before being elected lieutenant governor, a position I held from 1995 to 2007. I then served in the United States Congress, a position which I still hold.
Prior to my time as a public servant, I worked as a district manager for a national hotel corporation, where I won "manager of the year." I'm also a graduate of OSU.
Robert Hubbard:
Southern Nazarene University graduate with BA-Class of 1968, Regional Director for Federal Credit Union, multiple small business owner, farm and ranch owner, general contractor. I am the only candidate with the corporate, small business, and agricultural background that can bring our state together and move us forward. Further information can be found on my website: http://www.hubbardokgov2010.com
Roger Jackson:
Graduate of Grant High School .BBA, Marketing degree from OU 1973.
Jackson became sales manager with Bill Jackson's Business Products upon graduation and bought the company in 1983. Ownership continued, with brother Richard as sales manager, wife Karen as bookkeeper and uncle Bernard as service manager. Jackson was a long-time member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and more than 20-year member of the National Office Machine Dealers Association (NOMDA) and is the former President of the Oklahoma Office Machine Dealers Association (OOMDA). In 1995 the business was sold to another authorized Sharp Dealer and Jackson took a sales position.
Economy: What in your opinion is the most important thing you could do as governor to improve the economy of Oklahoma? (100-word limit)
Mary Fallin:
As governor, creating more and better jobs will be my number one priority. I'll lead the way by working towards lower taxes on businesses and individuals, reducing government bureaucracy and eliminating the kind of red tape that keeps a lid on small business growth.
We also need to renew our commitment to education. Without a highly skilled, well educated work force, businesses will choose to locate elsewhere and our citizens will find it harder than ever to compete in a global economy. That's why increasing school rigor and getting more money into our classrooms will be priorities during my administration.
Robert Hubbard:
We must first begin work on the 2012 budget. Waiting until the last minute as the legislature usually does only enhances the problems. We will begin reform of the Department of Human Services. We will re-structure the administration of the more than 530 school districts in Oklahoma. We have judges and district attorneys who oversee several counties in the judicial system; we must do the same with re-structuring the education administration. Workers Compensation reform is also a must.
Roger Jackson:
With Oklahoma facing a documented budget shortfall of $1.2B, Jackson has strongly recommended cuts and reorganization regarding Oklahoma's Government offices and reductions in pay, first promising to cut his own pay upon taking office as Governor down to $50,000/year, then also cutting the pay of executive directors and department heads within Oklahoma's Government. Jackson claims the size and cost of Oklahoma's Government is unsustainable and has made public, to Oklahoma voters, documented evidence proving Oklahoma has 70,000 state government employees with a payroll of $3.25B, last fiscal year. (See OpenBooks @ http://www.ok.gov/okaa
Health: How do you propose taking care of Oklahomans' health needs? (100-word limit)
Mary Fallin:
The rising cost of health care is a burden on our families and our economy. As governor, I will work with both the private insurance market and our public agencies to reduce the costs of medical treatment and expand access to affordable, quality health care. I'll also encourage preventative care so we can reduce medical costs and tragedies created by illnesses like diabetes.
Finally, I'll continue to lead the fight against Obamacare - an expensive, government-run health care plan that will deteriorate the quality of our medical services. We cannot afford a plan that puts government and bureaucracy before our well-being..
Robert Hubbard: Stop "Obama Care" in its tracks. We need to put physical education back in our school systems because obesity is one of the biggest problems that we face in this nation. Demographics in Oklahoma County show that the healthier people are, the wealthier they are. Healthcare and hygiene are a significant part of education for our children. Many health problems can be avoided through preventive screenings in our school systems.
Roger Jackson: More competition and buy Health Insurance Companies across state lines. Throw out Obamacare. Join the multi-state lawsuit against Obamacare. It was illegal for the Federal Government to force Americans to buy health insurance.
Re-bid the HMO contract for Oklahoma State Government employees. Some say they are currently forced to buy from an HMO that is 40% overpriced.
Permission to buy drugs from Canada, Mexico and other countries
Corrections: What can be done to ease the problems in our prisons? (100-word limit)
Mary Fallin:
Dangerous criminals should be locked up so they aren't on our streets and in our neighborhoods. Under my administration, providing our correctional officers with the resources they need to run safe, secure facilities will be a priority.
I will also look at ways to address prison overcrowding. For non-violent offenders with drug-related problems, many of whom are women, there are often better, cheaper alternatives to long prison sentences. Drug related courts and rehabilitation centers save tax dollars, reduce our prison population and encourage drug addicts to get healthy and contribute to our communities. These programs will have my support.
Robert Hubbard:
Drug courts in Oklahoma have been proven to work efficiently and effectively. Therefore, we must continue this trend statewide. In Oklahoma County of those who graduate the drug court program only 5% ever go back into DOC custody. Community care programs have also proven effective and efficient in other states. Texas now releases more prisoners than they take in due to their being smart on crime, rather than just tough.
Roger Jackson:
Follow the lead of the state of Texas. At one time, they had more prisoners than the Federal Government. They have used DRUG COURTS to reduce jail time for non-violent offenders and 90% of those treated do not return to jail. Their prison population has decreased dramatically.
Education: How can we assure a quality education for all Oklahoma children in light of budget cuts? (100-word limit)
Mary Fallin:
Quality schools create quality work forces, which are absolutely essential to job creation, business growth and long term prosperity. Improving our workforce and providing that prosperity will require getting more money into our classrooms and cutting down on administrative overhead. It will require more parental involvement and the empowerment of local communities to develop learning programs that fit their particular needs. And it will require a commitment to rigor from our state government, our teachers, our administrators and our parents. I'm ready to make that commitment and to end mediocrity in our schools.
Robert Hubbard:
Get mandated testing out of the classrooms and let our teachers teach. The frustration level of many of the teachers that I have spoken with is at an all-time high. It now takes 1-2 months just to prepare students for the myriad of tests they must take.
Oklahoma is not nearly as broke as we are poorly managed. Again, the restructuring of the administration of the 530+ school districts is a must. This will allow money to flow into the classroom for teachers' salaries and tools with which to teach.
Roger Jackson:
CUT administrative pay. 530 Oklahoma School District Superintendents were paid a total of $51M last fiscal year. We are spending too much at the top for salaries in Oklahoma for Administrators and too little for teachers. Our best and brightest teachers go to surrounding states upon graduation, because other states pay about $5K more for starting pay for new teachers. Money must get down to the classroom level to really help the kids get the education they all deserve.

Democrats Running for Lieutenant Governor

Kenneth Corn (D) is running unopposed and will be the Democratic Party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor. His name will not appear on the Democratic Primary ballot on July 27. His name will appear on the General Election ballot on November 2, 2010.

Republicans Running for Lieutenant Governor

Bernie Adler (R) http://www.bernieadlerforltgov.net no response
Bill Crozier (R)
Todd Lamb (R) http://www.votetoddlamb.com
Paul Nosak (R) no response
John A. Wright (R) http://www.movingoklahomaforward.com no response
List the educational, professional, or community experiences that prepare you to be a good Lieutenant Governor. Please include your campaign website to give voters access to additional information. (100-word limit)
Bill Crozier:
Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Conventions; 1992 in Houston, 1996 in San Diego, 2000 in Philadelphia, 2004 in New York, and 2008 in Minneapolis.
Republican nominee for US Congress, 4th District 1972
Republican nominee for US Senate of Oklahoma
Republican Candidate for Governor, 1986
Republican Nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2008
Special Investigator for the Department of Transportation
Legal Liaison for the Oklahoma Tax Commission
EBT machine conversion at Dept. of Human Services
Director of Civil Defense for Norman, Oklahoma (Emergency Services)
Contract Negotiator for the US Air Force, Tinker AFB
District Supervisor for National Assessment of Educational Progress;
Todd Lamb:
Oklahoma State University, B.A.
Oklahoma City University School of Law, JD
Oklahoma State Senator
General Counsel, CLS Group
Governor's Personal Assistant
Lifetime Member, NRA
Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service
Deacon; Sunday School Teacher, Quail Springs Baptist Church
Little League Sports Coach
What would you do as Lieutenant Governor to promote Oklahoma businesses and to attract new businesses to Oklahoma? (75-word limit)
Bill Crozier: Hold the line on taxes and roll back the illegal fees assessed by Oklahoma Governments. Support the NAFTA High as a truck turnpike with adequate fencing to insure security. This turnpike would be a great help to the Oklahoma economy. We also need the Interstate (I 33) from Denver to New Orleans to make Oklahoma the Crossroads of the nation. Road funds need to kept in the road financing for new roads and repairs, and moved to other areas.
Todd Lamb: I will tirelessly promote the quality of life we have in Oklahoma, as well work to make our business climate more competitive with Texas and the world. I want to lower our tax burden, streamline our government and have an education system preparing us to compete for 21st century jobs. We have to recruit companies to Oklahoma (something I did when serving on the Governor's staff) as well as encourage homegrown companies to expand here.
What would you do to promote tourism in Oklahoma? (75-word limit)
Bill Crozier: Hold the line on taxes and roll back the illegal fees assessed by Oklahoma Governments. Be the Spokesperson for the elderly and young to insure their rights are preserved. Review illegal taxes and find the tax dodgers who fail to pay Oklahoma income tax.
Todd Lamb: We have a wonderful state with incredible sites from the Black Mesa to the Ouachita Mountains, and everything in between. Backed by a western heritage appealing to travelers from around the world, state tourism accounts for thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for our state economy. It is important that during these tough economic times, our government does not institute taxation policies that deter tourism. I will be vigilant in keeping this from happening.
How would you work to keep more young people, who have been educated in Oklahoma, from leaving Oklahoma? (50-word limit)
Bill Crozier: I will support increased teacher's salaries to the regional average. Even during the Great Depression, we did not lay-off teachers. The mismanagement of Higher Education and use of casino money to support Higher Education is a major blunder by the Oklahoma Legislature. Tuition rate increases need to be the venue of the legislature and not David Boren and friends. We need these funds for operating expenses, not for capital improvements. A half a billion dollars, $500,000,000, goes a long way in public...
Todd Lamb: Jobs. To keep educated people in Oklahoma, we have to have the jobs they want. While our state has created a quality of life that appeals to younger workers, we must make our business climate more competitive for the businesses providing the skilled jobs sought by these young people.
How do you differentiate yourself from the other candidates running and what difference would your election make to the people of Oklahoma? (100-word limit)
Bill Crozier: The other Republicans running for Governor and Lt. Governor are trying to get a free ride by running form their OK Senate seats. Mary is giving up her Seat in the US Congress like Drew Edmondson and Jari Askins to run for office. Even those all these candidates are career politicians, they are putting their careeas on the line for the offices they are seeking .
Todd Lamb: As a family man, a businessman, a State Senator, and someone who has traveled on economic development missions while on the governor's staff, I bring unique experiences that are tailor made for Lt. Governor. As a Secret Service Agent traveling the globe, I witnessed the perception others have of Oklahoma, and I know we can improve on that image. Raised in Enid, I know that urban and rural Oklahoma must be partners, not competitors, as we improve our state. And, I share the conservative values of Oklahoma and, because of my children, have both eyes on the future of Oklahoma.

Candidates Running as Independents for Lieutenant Governor

Richard Prawdzienski filed as an independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor. His name will appear on the General Election ballot on November 2, 2010.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: August 8, 2010 05:21 PDT.