Editorial: Demo Chief’s ‘Imperfect legacy’
http://newsok.com/imperfect-legacy-for-oklahoma-democratic-party-chairman/article/3828000
May 21 2013 | Posted in Politics | Read More »
http://newsok.com/imperfect-legacy-for-oklahoma-democratic-party-chairman/article/3828000
Campaign reporting in Oklahoma has drawn praise from a national campaign finance tracking organization.
Provided
Optometrist Jon E. Painter announced today that he will be a candidate for the House District 91 seat. A lifelong conservative Republican, Painter will seek his party’s nomination in 2014. Incumbent Mike Reynolds will leave the legislature due to term limits next year.
Painter, a lifelong resident of Moore and south Oklahoma City, said he understands what it takes to be an effective leader in the state legislature. “My background in small business coupled with many years of church and community involvement gives me the necessary experience and political skills to be an effective conservative voice for the people of House District 91. I bring to the table a career of service, and a reputation of trust and results. In my eye care business and as a school board member, I believe I understand how to relate to people and to address problems that matter to them. I shoot straight and am accountable to those that put their trust and faith in me,” Painter said.
“I have only one objective in seeking this office and that is to be a citizen legislator who will represent the people of District 91 with honesty and integrity. I have always tried to make a positive difference in every area of involvement in my life.” Painter said. “My votes will be cast based on what is best for the people of my district and not based on political influence or pressure from powerful special interests,” he added
“I want to be a part of the Republican majority in the House and help continue to rightsize state government, promote economic development, create more jobs, lower the tax burden on our citizens, and support and strengthen our local schools. I am 100% pro-life and a strong advocate of Second Amendment rights,” Painter said.
Painter has owned and operated his eye care practice for the past 20 years. He has been active in numerous community activities over the years including serving on the board of the Moore Free Medical Clinic and volunteering for Infancy See. He is a member of both the Moore and South Oklahoma City Chambers of Commerce. He has been a member of the Oklahoma Optometric Association for 25 years. Painter is a Life Member of the NRA.
http://newsok.com/oklahomas-house-speaker-to-help-national-gop/article/3809574
House Democrats responded today to the passage of HB 2301, the Republican budget proposal, with this statement:
“House Democrats are deeply disappointed in the passage of HB 2301, which was written without the input of the vast majority of the legislature. Agencies that have taken on draconian cuts since 2008 will continue to struggle under this budget. Our schools will continue to struggle to keep the doors open and class sizes will continue to grow under this budget. The staffing and security crises in our correctional facilities will continue under this budget. Our university systems and college students will continue to take on debt because the costs of higher education will continue to escalate without alleviation under this budget. The services for our veterans will continue to disintegrate under this budget. Republicans would rather direct money to renovate buildings and office space than truly meet the needs of core state agencies. This short-sighted budget will only harm Oklahoma’s future by failing to adequately reinvest in services like our education system, public safety, and our veterans.”
Oklahoma City businessman Brian Winslow announced his bid for State Senate District 40 today. The seat is being vacated by Senator Cliff Branan due to term limits.
“Now is an exciting time in our state and in Oklahoma City. Our economy is booming despite the federal government’s mind-boggling spending and costly bureaucratic regulations,” Winslow said.
“I am running for State Senate because I know that Oklahoma’s success is not a given. We have fought hard to shrink government and grow our economy. To build on our momentum, we must continue those efforts.”
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Winslow has a master’s degree in business
administration from Oklahoma City University. He is a licensed real estate
broker and owns a successful property management business, which
oversees a multi-million dollar commercial property portfolio throughout
Oklahoma. Winslow, 29, also is a commercial helicopter flight instructor, a
member of the American Legion, and he serves on the Integris Foundation
Board.
“I believe we need more individuals from the private sector serving in
government, because they have the real-world experience we desperately
need in public office,” said Winslow. “I intend to fight for conservative,
common sense reforms that allow Oklahoma families and businesses to
manage their own lives free from government interference.”
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Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus announced today that Oklahoman Josh Kivett has been named an RNC regional political director.
“I am excited to announce new additions to our RNC Political team, a group of talented individuals who will serve as the Regional Political Directors for the 2014 midterm election cycle,” said Priebus. “Serving under RNC Political Director Chris McNulty, the six Regional Political Directors will be responsible for coordinating the ground game operation and voter contacts across the country. Our new field operation is focused on building the party from the bottom up and engaging in communities where we haven’t been. This will be the RPD’s focus as they work to ensure Republicans are elected up and down the ticket in 2014 as we strengthen the Republican Party in all states and territories.
“We have a lot of work to do to build out our new ground game and welcome new voters following the 2012 election cycle. I am confident that these Regional Political Directors will be able to help Republicans win new seats in the House, win back the Senate and elect Republican legislatures and governors in all 50 states and territories.”
Josh Kivett – North Carolina/South Carolina/Georgia/Florida/Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana/Arkansas/Oklahoma
Josh Kivett has nearly 15 years of experience in political and communications management, including a long history in Oklahoma and Georgia electoral politics. As a partner at Connect Strategic Communications and the Jamison Group, Inc., his clients have included legislative, congressional, senate, and presidential campaigns. He previously served as the Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Republican State House Committee.
Kivett joins former GOP State Chairman Matt Pinnell at the RNC; he previously was named to head the party’s state chairmen’s group.
http://www.oklahoman.com/workers-comp-efforts-beyond-pale-for-house-democrats/article/3803804
Joy Hofmeister, a Republican member of the State Board of Education, today announced her resignation from the Board to pursue a potential statewide race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity to have served on the Board and to have helped implement so many critical education reforms,” said Hofmeister. “I remain very committed to improving the education environment in Oklahoma, and I look forward to exploring other ways to make our education system better for students and families.”
Hofmeister said she is considering a run for the very position she oversaw as a board member, and in which she interacted with present Superintendent Janet Barresi, also a Republican.
“I am very passionate about advocating for meaningful reform with successful implementation for Oklahoma’s education system, which is leading me to strongly consider seeking the position of State Superintendent,” said Hofmeister. \
Hofmeister was appointed by Governor Fallin to serve on the Board of Education in January 2012. A former public school teacher, Hofmeister is president of a company that owns and operates Kumon Math @nd Reading Centers, a local franchise of the international firm that provides academic enrichment in math and reading to children in 47 countries.
Hofmeister graduated from Eastwood High School in Tulsa. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas Christian University, as well as teaching certificates in English and Elementary Education. She serves on the board of directors for the Jenks Public Schools Foundation, Select Committee for Study of School Finance, and has served on curriculum adoption committees at the district level and curriculum advisory committees for Kumon North America.
Hofmeister and her husband, Gerald Hofmeister, have four children; a recent university graduate, two in college, and one in high school.
