By Barbara Hoberock and Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – They came full of optimism.
Some brought friends, family and campaign consultants. Others stood alone.
Many had run before, but there were also plenty of newcomers seeking political offices for the first time.
By the time the first day of candidate filing opened at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the line stretched nearly out to the Capitol entrance on the ground floor.
Over 400 people had filed for office by late afternoon Wednesday, according to the state Election Board.
Among those was longtime educator and administrator Robert Franklin, who recently entered the race for state superintendent.
Franklin said his campaign has been scrambling to get psychologically and logistically organized.
“We’re going to make a big push, as hard as we can for a righteous reason, and see where it leads,” the Republican from Sand Springs said.
He said his campaign will see if social media can be “the great equalizer,” noting that some candidates have been on the ballot for years and have name recognition.
Democrat Jennettie Marshall, a former Tulsa Board of Education member, described filing for state superintendent as “exhilarating, scary and intimidating.”
“Running for this particular seat in a state that we’re 50th in the nation (in education), we really have to have someone that is a little intimidated, because that means they’re not comfortable with the way things are,” she said.
Corporation Commission Chair Kim David stood in line to file for the Tulsa-area First Congressional District. The seat is open because its current occupant, U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, decided to seek a seat in the U.S. Senate.
David said she believed her chances of securing the post were “pretty good.”
“I think that out of the candidates that are lining up, I’ve got the strongest record when it comes to national energy and when it comes to the Second Amendment rights,” she said. “I’ve worked very hard on the benefits for our National Guard.”
Hern filed to run for the U.S. Senate seat left open by former U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who resigned last month to become Secretary of Homeland Security.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Hern.
“My voting record is in lockstep, 100% with the America First agenda,” Hern said. “The president recognized that.”
He said he had to move quickly when Trump announced he had tapped Mullin.
“It’s a real honor to get the opportunity to do this,” Hern said.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., was also early in line to file.
Cole said the economy is his top issue.
He said the mid-term election will be a referendum on Trump.
“Obviously, Democratic energy is very high this year across the country,” Cole said. “But I hope Republicans remember they have a secure border now because of the president. They have a tax cut now because of the president.”
Shortly before lunch, Gov. Kevin Stitt showed up and greeted some of those in line, shaking hands, asking questions and posing for pictures.
Stitt, a Republican, is serving his final year in office after being elected twice. He is not seeking another elected post.
One of those seeking to replace him is former Republican state Sen. Mike Mazzei, a financial planner who also previously served in Stitt’s administration as budget secretary.
He said he’s “been going all over the state” to talk about his plan to eliminate Oklahoma’s income tax, abolish property taxes for seniors, and “fix our schools so kids actually learn to read at grade level.”
Another candidate to file for governor was Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican.
“The state desperately needs a leader who can reduce taxes as we grow our economy, change the deliverables on education, health care and mental health,” Drummond said. “We need many things to change in the state. That starts with a governor who owns it.”
House Democratic Minority Leader Cyndi Munson also filed for governor.
“What I’m hearing from Oklahomans is that they are very concerned about education, access to health care, and most importantly, the economic opportunities in their communities,” she said.
The time is right for a governor who can relate to everyday people and address problems, she said.
The filing period ends Friday.
