On Saturday, February 9 the Creek County Republican Party met for their annual convention and prayer breakfast at the Booker T. Washington Recreational Center in Sapulpa.
Approximately 44 delegates were in attendance to elect officers to represent the group at the congressional and state level and to approve the party platform.
These delegates are eligible to attend and participate in the state convention which is to take place on Saturday, April 6 at First Moore Baptist Church in Moore.
The morning began with the first of three prayers. Then Rev. Nathan Conner spoke of his experience as both a pastor and the Creek County Sheriff Chaplain and the importance of integrity, character, and setting a good example for our children.
Next the two candidates running for the State Party Vice Chair position spoke.
John Roberts focused on his extensive previous experience in politics and his plan to rebuild the party’s infrastructure and communications.
Mike Turner believes the GOP should be aggressive when stating what it stands for. They have good values and should be promoting that, he says.
After the Credentials Report was approved the three state legislators for Creek County each had a chance to speak.
Senator James Leewright, Representative Kyle Hilbert, and Representative Mark Lawson all took their opportunity to speak to commend Governor Stitt and the constructive culture he has already begun at the capital.
Further, all three legislators were enthusiastic about the party platform and the convention itself, and mentioned that they appreciate open communication from their constituents. David McClain, Chairman of the Tulsa County Republican Party and candidate for State Chair, was the keynote speaker. McClain’s primary message was a call for action at the community level. He emphasized that the city is where you really see your tax dollars at work and urged the members of the group to try to “make an effectual change at the local level” by getting involved in the city council, Board of Education, or local precinct.
McClain also talked about the importance of unity, of coming together and bridging the gaps in ideological differences for the greater good. He meant this in reference to both the Republican party and its need to be inclusive and to the partisanship between Republicans and Democrats. He asked the delegates to “get behind our governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators and temper ourselves when we have a difference and not point fingers.”
McClain will run for State Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party at the election held at the state convention on Saturday, April 6.
Kevin Hern, Oklahoma’s new U.S. Congressman, was in attendance and spoke on several subjects important to him, including securing the U.S./Mexico border. This was very well received by the crowd.
Hern was also asked about and thanked for donating his salary to veterans’ charities during the government shutdown.
Convention business followed, and the convention rules were duly discussed and approved.
The Creek County Republican Party Executive Committee positions were voted on next.
Rob Ford was approved to replace Dee Dobson as the County Chair.
Julia Bender was approved as County Vice Chair.
Don Engle was approved as State Committeeman #1.
Dena Engle was approved as State Committeewoman #2.
Lee Swigert of Mounds was approved as the 1st District Committeeman #1.
Deborah Moss was approved as the 1st District Committeewoman #2.
Joe Palmer was approved as the 3rd District Committeeman #1.
And finally, Liz Parks was approved as the 3rd District Committeewoman #2.
Then came the important business of approving this year’s party platform and the consideration of a new “plank” to the platform.
The 2019 Platform Proposal was approved with a few minor tweaks.
The day’s only moment of contention came while discussing the marijuana rights amendment. The group was roughly half for it and half against it.
The amendment supports the return of the control of marijuana to the states and the end of the harmful black market operating throughout the U.S. and beyond our borders. It also asks Congress to amend the laws that list cannabis as a schedule I controlled substance and to permit interstate commerce as it applies to hemp.
“Yes” vote Trevor Scott cited less federal government oversight and Americans’ eventual decreased demand on the Mexican drug trade as reasons it should pass.
Others, such as Kent Glesener, voiced concerns that marijuana is a so-called “gateway drug” and that legalizing it, even for medical purposes, is “cracking the door to let the devil rush in.”
The argument came in spite of the fact that last year voters approved State Question 788, known as the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which legalized the licensed cultivation, use, and possession of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The importance of this question to Oklahomans is evident upon studying the numbers – more people voted on 788 than voted for governor, and it passed by a significant margin.
Regardless of whether they were for or against the amendment, most delegates voiced their opinions that this should be a state issue rather than a federal one.
In the end, the amendment did not pass and will not become a part of the party’s platform.
The comprehensive platform proposal and the marijuana rights amendment can be read here.
The two nominees for Allen Bowden’s Board of Education spoke next. Candidate Dee Dobson said she is not interested in making radical changes but wants “to see where the money goes and what goes on” in the school district.
Candidate Robert Trickey is running because he “feels it’s necessary to take a stand against the evil that’s coming into the schools.”
Green Country Teenage Republicans (GCTAR) Deputy Head Sponsor Chris Parker was in also in attendance and encouraged teenagers interested in conservative politics to get involved with this organization. The GCTARs campaign, knock on doors, have movie nights, and host various events. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
The subject of precinct captains and their potential importance to the grassroots effort of the party was broached. It was noted by Mr. Ed Lebeau that the captains would serve as “conduit[s] for approaching our legislators.”
Ms. Dena Engle pledged to rally the county’s precincts to organize, starting with her own.
The group nominated Mr. Ed Lebeau as its State Platform Plenipotentiary. (Think: diplomat.)
Lastly there was a call for volunteers and donors.
If you would like to be either, you can email the new chairman Rob Ford at chair@creekcountygop.org or visit the website, www.creekcountygop.org.
