Published: July 22, 2008 11:41 pm         

Hopefuls seeking House 59 seat

Three Republicans are vying for their party’s nomination to run for the House District 59 seat in the July 29 primary election.

The district includes parts of Kingfisher, Major, Blaine and Woodward counties and all of Dewey County.

Tim Riddle, of Hennessey, Mike Sanders and Chris Cameron, both of Kingfisher, are in a three-way race for the primary. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in the Aug. 26 runoff.

The winner of the primary election will face Hennessey Democrat Donald Russell in the November general election.

The seat was held by former Rep. Rob Johnson, who is a Republican candidate for Oklahoma Corporation Com-mission.

Cameron, 39, of Kingfisher, has operated Cameron Insur-ance for more than three years. He also has been employed at Kingfisher Public Schools and at RoseRock Bank.

He is a graduate of Hennessey High School and Oklahoma State University, with a degree in mathematics education. He also graduated from Oklahoma Lending School.

Tim Riddle, 45, of Hen-nessey, is branch manager and vice president of Community State Bank. He is a graduate of Hennessey High School and Oklahoma State University, with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics.

Mike Sanders, 33, of Kingfisher, is employed at the family owned Sanders Funeral Service in Kingfisher. He also worked for the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture and in the White House from 2001-04.

He graduated from King-fisher High School and Oklahoma Christian University with a bachelor of science in history.

Each candidate answered a series of questions regarding important issues facing next year’s state Legislature.

1. What policies to you support or propose to encourage and enhance energy development in the state of Oklahoma?

Sanders: I think wind energy could be a real possibility. I think Oklahoma could be the model for the country with wind technology. There is a lot of potential here. I also would like to see more biofuels which are made from agriculture products made possible. There is a lot of talk about clean coal production, solar and even nuclear. I would be open to discussion on these policies. We must limit our dependence on foreign sources of oil. Starting right here at home is a good start.

Cameron: Developing al-ternative energy sources is at a critical stage. We have to find some viable solutions soon. I am particularly interested in wind energy and certainly feel like that deserves some attention. I also would like to see some incentives for converting autos that use alternative fuels.

Riddle: I will support the research and development of alternative fuels such as the switchgrass research being done in the Panhandle. I would also support tax incentives for people and companies who invest in such research. We must also make sure that Oklahoma has a business-friendly environment for companies drilling for oil and gas to encourage them to do business in Oklahoma.

2. What policies do you support or propose regarding the rising costs of health care and providing for health insurance for the uninsured?

Cameron: I feel it is going to take both parties working together to make health insurance more accessible and more affordable.

Riddle: Every Oklahoman has the right to affordable health insurance. We must do everything in our power to control the rising costs of health care. This would include tort reform and workers’ comp reform.

Sanders: Real lawsuit reform is one of the best ways to bring down health care costs in Oklahoma. Many doctors are either unable or unwilling to pay the ridiculous health care premiums caused by frivolous lawsuits in our state’s court system, so they are closing shop or going to other states. The ones who stay have to charge higher than they would if their premiums weren’t so high.

3. What policies do you support or propose to enhance and encourage economic development in the non-metro areas of the state?

Riddle: Companies must be encouraged to locate in rural areas. There must be incentives for companies to locate in non-metro areas. Unfor-tunately, most rural communities cannot afford to offer tax incentives and cash. I will support legislation to help communities offset the costs of those incentives so they can attract businesses.

Sanders: One of the main things we can do is continue recent efforts to make road and bridge funding a high priority again in Oklahoma. I believe a good infrastructure can help open a lot of other doors.

Cameron: Rural business cooperative programs through entities, like the USDA, are great places to start. There are several incentive programs currently in place for start up businesses.

4. What policies do you support or propose to address the illegal immigration issue in Oklahoma?

Cameron: While Oklaho-ma is to be commended for our efforts in immigration, one state is not going to solve the federal immigration situation.

Riddle: HB 1804 is a good starting point. We must review 1804 to see if parts of it are too harsh. Before any bill the magnitude of HB 1804 is passed, the economic impact should be considered. The process to become legal should be reviewed. Is it too burdensome? Too ex-pensive, too lengthy? Illegal immigrants should be given an opportunity to become legal before being deported.

Sanders: I think we should let our recently passed immigration laws take effect and see how well they’re able to address the situation. Right now the new laws are going through court challenges and have not yet been able to be fully enacted.

5. List one other issue you believe is important to address and why.

Riddle: Public school funding. The state Legislature must make school funding a priority. Great schools are a catalyst to economic development and building great communities.

Sanders: I would streamline the bureaucracy to create and save taxpayer dollars and make state government more efficient. I think eliminating the death tax is a must. I would apply pressure on Congress to make sure this happens, and reforming the workers’ compensation system is a must for Oklahoma. We must make Oklahoma friendlier for businesses to come to our state and prosper.

Cameron: Roads and bridges. We have to get our roads and bridges repaired. I hope it doesn’t take another tragedy before we make this a priority.