Edmondson Challenges Republican Opponents on Transparency

While Kevin Stitt and Mick Cornett are duking it out for the Republican nomination in the Oklahoma governor’s race, Democrat nominee Drew Edmondson is questioning their financial transparency.

The independent journalism organization, Oklahoma Watch, recently requested tax and financial information from candidates in the statewide elections. According to Oklahoma Watch, Edmondson was the only gubernatorial candidate to provide specific information, while Libertarian candidates Chris Powell and Rex Lawhorn provided summaries of their finances.

“My opponents certainly have the right to keep this information secret, but in doing so, they have forfeited their right to talk about transparency,” Edmondson said. “This was an opportunity to demonstrate a change between themselves and Governor Fallin’s administration, and they failed.”

It appears Edmondson wants to make transparency and open government practices an issue in the governor’s race trying to define a difference between him and the possible Republican nominee.

“Open government has been relegated to the back burner for the last eight years and people want change,” Edmondson said. “It’s important that voters know that their governor has no conflicts of interest and will always act in the best interests of the state. Opening up this personal financial information is the best way to ensure no potential problems exist.”

If he wins the governor’s mansion, Edmondson has pledged to create an Office of Open Government to ensure compliance with Oklahoma’s sunshine laws.

You can find the Oklahoma Watch story here.


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