By James Beaty
Senior Editor
McALESTER —
Oklahoma Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson says his jobs program has been created for the entire state of Oklahoma, not just the metropolitan areas.
“This is not a plan for either end of the Turner Turnpike,” Edmondson said.
“It’s for rural Oklahoma as well.”
Edmondson, who served as the district attorney based in Muskogee County before winning the attorney general’s post, stopped in by the News-Capital in McAlester last week while on a statewide tour to promote his jobs program. He also spoke to the News-Capital by phone on Monday while continuing to campaign for the governor’s post.
Edmondson and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins are in a heated race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. The winner will face the Republican candidate for governor in the Nov. 2 General Election.
Interviews with Republican gubernatorial candidates Mary Fallin and Randy Brogdon were previously published in the News- Capital, with Robert Hubbard and Roger Jackson also on the GOP Primary Election ballot.
Polling places are to remain open until 7 for today’s Primary Election.
Today’s Democrat Primary ballot includes two county elections in Pittsburg County: Races for county clerk and for District 3 county commissioner.
In addition, a three-way race is being held on the Democratic ballot for District 18 district attorney.
In another local race, four Democratic candidates are on the ballot seeking their party’s nomination for the District 18 state representative’s post. The winner will face the Republican candidate in November.
Also, Democratic and Republican candidates are on the ballot for seats in the District 2 U.S. House and the U.S. Senate.
A number of state races also are on today’s Primary Ballot, with winners to go on to the Nov. 2 General Election.
Referring to his goal of creating more jobs, Edmondson said his record speaks for itself.
“When I say I’ll create jobs ... I’ll do it,” he said —a reference to Edmondson’s contention that he has always done what he’s said he’ll do as the state’s attorney general.
Edmondson’s job plan covers a wide range, such as removing barriers and red tape for Oklahoma businesses, including economic development in rural areas, and looking at medical research and technology.
He also would concentrate on the aerospace industry, energy, and health care.
Edmondson also notes the importance of water and agriculture to the state and said he will seek tribal partnerships to help develop the state’s economy.
On issues affecting Southeastern Oklahoma, the News-Capital asked Edmondson for his reaction to a recent vote by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to grant a substantial amount of the water rights in Southeastern Oklahoma’s Sardis Lake to Oklahoma City.
“I said it was premature,” Edmondson said, noting that the state has been conducting a comprehensive water study.
“My across-the-board plan is that the needs of the basin of origin have to be met for the next 50 years” before you look at granting water rights for that water to other parts of the state, he said.
“Once the water is committed, whether it’s to Central Oklahoma or Texas, it will be extremely difficult to get it back,” he said.
Edmondson said he’s continuing to campaign to remind people to vote today and he asked voters to “take time to look at the governor’s race.”
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.
com.
