Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Government Council – House District 39 Candidate Forum
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Edmond Chamber Government Council -
The Crowd gathered before and after the forum
Eight of the 10 special election candidates for House District 39 and one representative were on hand at Friday's standing-room-only Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Government Council forum at the monthly Government Council Meeting, ahead of the Dec. 12 primary election.
Both Democratic candidates, Regan Raff and Paul Timmons, and the sole Libertarian candidate, Richard Prawdzienski, were present for the forum. Five of the seven Republican candidates were present, including Kristen Ferate, Col. (Ret.) Timothy Hale, Erick Harris, Cris Price and Dr. Ross Vanhooser. Candidate Ronda Peterson was unable to attend but sent Richard Shellem as her representative, and candidate William Gaige Jr. was not present.
Bud Ground, Chair of the Edmond Chamber Government Relations Council, presided over the forum and presented two prepared questions and one lighting-round question to each candidate.
Questions were: “Why are you running for office, and "Is there a specific issue that interests you most?” and “What do you think is the biggest issue impacting or holding Oklahoma back?”
Most considered public service as a primary reason for running for office.
Ferate spoke of a strong military tradition in her family and considers holding a political position as an “extension of her public service.” Her issues of interest revolve around veterans care, mental health and education.
Hale said his commitment to his service never expires and feels “faith, family and freedom are worth fighting for.” Regarding his interests, his work as a pastor has highlighted needs in mental health and his 28 years of military service is linked to veterans affairs.
Prawdzienski also referred to military service and wanting to see “changes based on truth, not opinion” as a driving force for his candidacy. He feels a need for parents to be more responsible for education and not just teachers.
As a former prosecutor, Harris is on the ballot to continue his work in public service. His interests revolve around government efficiency and education. With a 5-month-old daughter, he wants Oklahoma to be “the best state possible for her to grow up in.”
Standing in for Peterson, Shellem said the top reason Peterson is running is she feels "we are meant to have a citizen legislature” and "she understands the people."
Raff, a small business owner, noted her passion was for schools, and particularly public schools. She said she has seen a shift, and stressed the importance of schools and school systems to the future of Oklahoma.
Price noted he lives, worships and runs a business in Edmond and moved here 29 years ago. He credits his care and love for the community as the main driver for his choice to enter the election. He has participated in many community organizations, such as Edmond Rotary, Edmond Citizens Police and Leadership Edmond, and stressed he is “involved by choice” and continues to do so.
As a physician in Oklahoma with a small business background, Dr. Vanhooser said he has “dedicated his life to the service of others and this is an extension of that” referring to his decision to run for office. He said he goes to the state capital without an agenda and his interest issues include healthcare and small business.
Timmons also stated he has “lived a life of public service” after 34 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. He sees education as an important issue. Having been involved with the county jail system, he also notes the need for improvements in the area of mental health, something jail time likely won't be as effective with those citizens.
As far as the biggest impact on Oklahoma? The majority of candidates listed education.
Raff noted Oklahoma’s education ranking is 49th (ahead of only New Mexico).
Like many of the candidates, Dr. Vanhooser said business and workforce development was in need of improvements in education. "We need to stop coming in second,” he said, giving the example of Tesla and other companies that have passed on Oklahoma due to comparative shortcomings.
Price reminded everyone to keep in mind the things Edmond is doing right and "be proud of our schools as some of the best in the state."
Transitioning into the lightning round, many candidates stressed the need of communication and cooperation.
Prawdzienski said the city is always going to the state for money and more, but "we need to prove the community self-sufficient." He stressed getting rid of old laws and being more focused on the “quality of community.”
Raff sees Edmond as moderate, where the community has a lot of common ground. She looks to bi-partisanship and not just limiting herself to be “just a party representative.”
Ferate also noted representatives have to be willing to cross party lines and “recognize we all want the best.”
Hale said working in a vacuum is not efficient. Solutions are found by bringing people together and asking questions, he said.
Dr. Vanhooser concluded his statements by stating the office position is not about a single-person show, "it is about the whole team." He said, as a life-long learner, he knows “you can learn from others even if you disagree.”
Ray Hibbard, owner of Edmond Life & Leisure, reminded everyone that the election is a special primary election meaning the candidate with the simple majority, and not a 50% majority, in the Democratic and Republican primaries will move forward to the Feb. 13 general election (including Libertarian candidate Prawdzienski), emphasizing that "every vote counts."