Oklahoma Democrats Having Problems Gaining Footholds in Local Elections

Upcoming senate and house elections for 2008 are really heating up in Oklahoma for everyone, not just the politically active minority. A largely republican state, Oklahoma has been having trouble with democratic candidates gaining a sizable constituency throughout the major metro areas. A pivotal moment in Oklahoma government was the recent election of the states first gay democrat, Jim Roth. As commissioner for district one - an area encompassing a large portion of Oklahoma City - Roth has worked toward constructive renewal projects like repairing roads and bridges, supporting better elderly health care and maintaining a consistent budget without even the slightest strand of controversy.

Facing off in the senate are two very different candidates aiming for very opposing goals. Andrew Monroe Rice and James Inhofe are two senate candidates with distinctly diverse backgrounds and goals. Andrew Rice is a democrat with change in mind for Oklahoma who came back to his home state from his long stay in blue New York to try and shake up the red political foundation that has made the state what it is today. Rice reflects a young and very educated voice for Oklahoma, having traveled extensively throughout the world- trying on different cultures and traditions in order to develop a closer relationship to people. He succeeded. Andrew Rice has been teaming up on a local level with some big voices, namely, musical ensemble The Flaming Lips.

James Inhofe, too, has had substantial experience in the legislative process and represents an older portion of Oklahoma voters. On the other spectrum, Inhofe has been involved in lingering controversies and concerns over past campaign contributions which have been hurting republican reputation in the state. In fact, many republican runners are given a bad name off the hat with simple guilt by association, but in many cases valid republican shortcomings have been hurting voter confidence in many major counties. Although many republicans may not be given enough credit, media coverage in magazines like the Oklahoma Gazette have continued to publish articles examining bad politics in the state. Just in the October, 31st issue local hero Robyn Meyers- an open minded Christian preacher and writer- pointed out a horrible piece of legislation that just passed banning a new edition of the Quran. Many agree that dogma and law are too closely entwined in Oklahoma and simple separation between church and state is not taken seriously.

Tom Cole and Ernest Istook, both republicans, will be hoping to win house in 2008. Although both candidates share similar concerns, Ernest Istook has been caught up in questionable campaign contribution concerns as well, along with past earmark controversies to boot. By default, Tom Cole may have a better chance in gaining a voter base- but like any assumption before the fact, it's impossible to know for sure.

Oklahoma has become, in just the past 10 years, more progressive, more open minded and more inclined to political awareness. This spells bad news for the deeply entrenched traditionalism exhibited in business-as-usual Oklahoma government. The arts alone have bloomed in Bricktown and the Paseo district which seem to be precursors to a more progressive generation up and coming in the state. Oklahoma has proved that it wants change in foreign policy, change in health care and a shift into subjective political insights. Locally, Oklahoma has been working toward global impacts. Conservatives are going to have to shake some things up if they hope to gain a foothold in this upcoming election. In 2008 Oklahoma is certainly going to see some big changes in the political schematics that have defined the state for so long- and as many now see it- for far too long.