Oklahoma needs our help! There are TWO special state senate elections this Tuesday, November 14.
Candidate Bio
Steven is as Oklahoman and working class as they come. He attended school at NW Classen, Central State University, and OSU, served honorably in the Army National Guard 45th Infantry Brigade in Edmond and in the small town of Maud, Oklahoma as a reserve police officer. He has spent the last ten years as a dispatcher for the Oklahoma City Police Department where he has taken over 100,000 calls from Oklahomans in crisis. Steven was working when devastating tornadoes struck our state on May 20, 2013. That day was chaotic and tragic but he was proud to be part of the team of hundreds of first responders who came to the aid of Oklahomans in need, working together and reaffirming the Oklahoma Standard.
He started his first job when he was 15 years old at Del Rancho, and has been working hard every since. He is a father with kids in public schools, a husband with a wife who is a crime scene investigator for OCPD, an honorably discharged veteran, a reserve police officer, and a 911 dispatcher with over a decade of service to the citizens of Oklahoma City.
Talking Points
State Government: Oklahoma Republicans control all three branches of government with supermajorities in both the House and Senate. Under Republican leadership, our state is facing record deficits, severe cuts to core services and crumbling infrastructure.
Education: Oklahoma schools are desperately underfunded and face cuts year after year. Oklahoma is ranked 49th nationwide in teacher pay. Teachers are grossly underpaid and have been leaving the state in droves to find better opportunities in neighboring states. Multiple counties are forced to have a four day school week. We must do better for our children. Tax cut gifts to big oil by the controlling political party at the capitol are $216 million dollars, funding cuts to schools—$214 million dollars. These cuts have to be reversed.
Public Safety: The Department of Public Safety is responsible for patrolling our highways, enforcing traffic laws, working non-injury, injury, and fatality accidents, and serving smaller communities with no municipal police force. Our legislature has failed to address funding shortfalls again for the 3rd year in a row. DPS Commissioner Michael Thompson warns of “crippling” effects if lawmakers slash DPS budget again this year by 15%.