Editorial
The Oklahoman
GUBERNATORIAL and congressional races are getting the most attention during this election cycle, but three secondary statewide offices are also on the Nov. 4 ballot. Two of the races feature an incumbent who, under state law, can serve only one additional term.
In the race for lieutenant governor, Republican incumbent Todd Lamb faces Democratic nominee Cathy Cummings, a restaurant owner. The position is largely ceremonial, but Lamb has ably used the job to advocate for policies that will grow Oklahoma’s economy and create more jobs. Lamb makes a point of visiting all 77 Oklahoma counties each year, and he routinely meets with local business leaders. These meetings inform a report that Lamb issues annually to recommend a wide range of policy changes.
Lamb was a strong advocate for the since-enacted major workers’ compensation system reform. More recently, he’s been focused on unemployment compensation fraud. But Lamb’s most important contribution has come through the nonceremonial portion of his job: In instances where a tie vote occurs in the state Senate, the lieutenant governor casts the deciding vote.
In May, Lamb used that power to ensure that Oklahoma’s gross production tax wouldn’t ratchet up to excessive levels that would discourage oil and gas exploration. The tax rate had been set at 1 percent for horizontal drilling, but was set to expire and surge to 7 percent. Serious, credible energy leaders were virtually unanimous in warning that a 7 percent rate would result in fewer wells being drilled and fewer jobs created. That’s why one analysis persuasively demonstrated that raising the rate to 7 percent would result in $200 million less in associated tax collections than the 1 percent rate.
A compromise was reached in which the rate was increased to 2 percent and applied to both horizontal and traditional wells. Yet when that legislation went before the Senate, 13 Republican senators peeled off to join liberal Democrats who preferred the far higher rate.
Lamb broke the tie vote and supported the lower tax rate. He deserves credit for hanging tough and sticking with the successful Reaganite formula of lower taxes and economic growth, especially when so many of his fellow Republicans were buckling under pressure from liberal interest groups.
The choice in this race is clear. The Oklahoman endorses Todd Lamb for a second and final term.
In the race for labor commissioner, Republican incumbent Mark Costello faces Democrat Mike Workman, a former public school teacher who’s worked in public relations and on Democratic political campaigns. Costello has competently performed the duties of his office. He’s been a voice for needed change in areas such as workers’ compensation. The Oklahoman endorses Mark Costello.
The race for state superintendent of public instruction has no incumbent. It pits Democrat John Cox against Republican Joy Hofmeister. Cox is superintendent of Peggs Public Schools in Cherokee County. Cox has been a superintendent for 20 years. Hofmeister’s education background is primarily as the owner of a tutoring service; she briefly served on the state Board of Education. The Oklahoman makes no recommendation in this race.
Five other secondary statewide offices have been filled: Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones and Treasurer Ken Miller were re-elected without opposition. Todd Hiett was elected to the Corporation Commission and Insurance Commissioner John Doak was re-elected upon winning their Republican primaries because no Democrats filed.
While the above offices may not be high profile, they are important positions that impact countless Oklahomans. We encourage citizens not to overlook these races when marking ballots next month.
