Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates will discuss issues facing the state during a public forum April 19th in Duncan at the Simmons Center, 800 Chisholm Trail Pkwy, Duncan. This will be the third such forum of seven sponsored by The Oklahoma Academy for State Goals. The forum is free and open to the public.
The SW Region forum will take place from 5:30 to 7:30p.m. with the following candidates attending: Former Mayor of Oklahoma City Mick Cornett, Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb, Senator Connie Johnson, former Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson, former US District Attorney and former gubernatorial candidate Gary Richardson, State Auditor Gary Jones, Broken Arrow businessman Rex Lawhorn, Wynnewood businessman Joe Maldonado, and Bethany businessman and former Chairman of the Libertarian Party Chris Powell. Candidates Norman Jay Brown, Dan Fisher, and Kevin Stitt were also invited but are not able to attend.
David Stewart, Chairman of The Oklahoma Academy and Chief Administrative Officer & Trustee of Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority & MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor said “The forums are geared to provide opportunity for citizens to hear the candidates express their views and ideas on issues that are critical to Oklahoma’s future. The Academy has provided questions to the candidates prior to the forum so they can do some homework and come prepared. The Academy has historically provided these forums during gubernatorial election years to ensure that citizens have more than just sound-bite information from candidates on important issues.”
Chris Deal, President of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Lyle Roggow, President of the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation will open the forum and welcome everyone. “We are very pleased to partner with The Oklahoma Academy to hold the SW Region Gubernatorial Forum. Having the candidates here in Duncan is important to not only our community, but to the SW Region as well,” said Chris Deal, Duncan Chamber President. Lyle Roggow, Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation President stated “This is an excellent opportunity for citizens in the SW Region to gain an informative insight into the views and plans of the candidates who aspire to be the next leader of our state.”
The forum will be moderated by John Budd, Chair-Elect of the Oklahoma Academy and Chief Development and Strategy Officer for Sonic Corp.
Candidates will share their thoughts and plans on policy issues covering the state budget, economic growth outlook, education, and more.
The Oklahoma Academy is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization founded by Governor Henry Bellmon in 1967 to bring public attention to policy issues, provide objective, thorough research, develop consensus public policy recommendations, and act as a catalyst for positive change.
The forum is free and open to the public. For more information on this forum call the Academy office at 405.307.0986 or email Jamie@okacademy.org. For information on The Oklahoma Academy visit their website at www.okacademy.org.
