District 3 can have a fresh start this election

By Steve Glinski

Democratic candidate for House District 3

The November 3rd general election is set, and Oklahoma is officially on the ballot. And for the first time since 2020, District 3 is on the ballot.

In a little more than two months, Oklahomans will decide what the future of public education looks like. We will decide if we have the political will to invest in rural healthcare in order to save our hospitals and protect our most vulnerable Oklahomans. We will make decisions that determine where we are heading in regard to data centers and how they affect our farm and ranch land, the electrical grid and our local water supplies.

This is the first time in six years that we have a choice on who and how we will be represented in the Oklahoma Legislature. A lot has happened during those six years. We have seen the emergence of ideology among some of our elected servants. It is an ideology that doesn’t reflect the traditions of the eastern Oklahoma that I know.

I disagree with our current representative on some very important issues that are affecting the people of District 3. He voted against a bipartisan bill that will address Oklahoma’s high property insurance costs. The bill passed despite his “no” vote and will go into effect next year. Another major disappointment is his vote for making public money available to private schools and his written commitment to no longer support any increases for public school funding. Our representative also voted against the budget bill that included public education funding. The cumulative effect of these votes and policies will hurt our district. This is a political ideology that is an extreme departure from the type of representation that served the people of District 3 for many decades.

I served on the Heavener School Board when Representative Jim Hamilton was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Jim was an ally to public education. He knew its vital connection to the district he served. We did not have to wonder where Jim Hamilton stood on public education.

Public education is an investment in the future of our children and our state. Oklahoma’s past leadership has never made public money available for private education in our history. The best public servants of our past were not ideologues. They understood the role of good and effective government. Carl Albert once said, “I am a living example of what a free public education can mean to a young person.” It is always good to be reminded that Oklahoma public schools open their doors to every child in their district. Private schools can choose who they want to admit. Private schools operate with little to no oversight from the state and little to no transparency. Yet they now receive $275 million annually in indirect payments from the general fund. There are no private schools in District 3.

Let’s not turn our backs on one of our most proven Oklahoma values. We can begin a fresh commitment to improving public education, not demeaning it or weakening it. That change depends on what we decide between now and Election Day. Our current direction does not make sense, especially for rural Oklahoma.

I am an optimist, and I don’t like to be critical. But I must be honest. Facts and clear explanations are needed in politics. And it is my job to explain the issues that will affect the people of District 3 to the best of my understanding and ability. These are the reasons I decided to get into this race, and these are the reasons I do not hesitate asking for your support.

As I will continue to say — our current representative, Rick West, is not and will never be an enemy. We just see the priorities of a District 3 representative differently. My priority is not my political party or any ideology. My priority is serving the people and the needs of this district. Not once has my party asked me for any type of commitment on any issue. Nor should they.

We do not want or need extremes in Oklahoma politics. We are not California or New York or Florida or Texas. Nor do we want to be. We are Oklahoma. In particular, we are eastern Oklahoma. We have a history of independent thought and common sense ideas. I am not perfect, nor do I have all the answers. But I promise to bring a fresh approach to the issues we face and serve the people of District 3.

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