Amid great excitement, Cherokee County residents are preparing for the 2022 midterm elections, which will take place on November 8.
This year’s ballot will offer voters different party options, including Democrats, independents, Libertarians and Republicans, depending on the race.
On the ballot for the US House of Representatives, District 2, they are from top to bottom: Naomi Andrews, Democrat; Josh Brecheen, Republican; and Ben Robinson, independent. The candidates for the United States Senate are James Lankford, Republican; Madison Horn, Democrat; Michael Delaney, Independent; and Kenneth Blevins, Libertarian. For the United States Senate – special election – are Kendra Horn, a Democrat; Markwayne Mullin, Republican; Ray Woods, independent; and Robert Murphy, Libertarian.
For governor are Kevin Stitt, a Republican; Joy Hofmeister, Democrat; Ervin Yen, independent; and Natalie Bruno, Libertarian. For lieutenant governor are Matt Pinnell, Republican; Melinda Alizadeh-Fard, Democrat; and Chris Powell, Libertarian. For attorney general are Gentner Drummond, a Republican, and Lynda Steele, a Libertarian. For Oklahoma treasurer are Charles de Coune, a Democrat; Todd Russ, Republican; and Greg Sadler, Libertarian.
In what appears to be one of the most heated races for Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction are Jena Nelson, a Democrat, and Ryan Walters, a Republican. Other statewide races will also be on the ballot, including Oklahoma Corporate Commissioner, Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, Oklahoma Supreme Court (four seats) and Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals (five seats).
Cherokee County District 1 Commissioner will pit Bobby “Cub” Whitewater, Democrat, against Mitch Sterling, Republican.
Cherokee County has been divided into three different districts for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, so depending on where a person lives within the county will determine which candidates they will be able to vote for. Those who live in District 4 will be able to vote for Bob Ed Culver or Charles Arnall. Those who live in District 86 and District 14 will not vote for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, as David Hardin, Republican, and Chris Sneed, Republican, respectively, will be unopposed.
Cherokee County Democratic Chair Yolette Ross said this election feels different and she hopes voters will turn out in greater numbers than expected in a typical midterm election.
“Last week, I saw a headline in Tulsa World saying optimism returns to Oklahoma Democrats,” Ross said. “For me, the incumbent let me know that as a state we are on the cusp of change. As a party, we have a legitimate chance to win some big races. We have several qualified women running who will put people before politics.” .”
November will tell if the Democrats are right in their optimism.
“I’ll take a line from Sam Cooke, who had a song in 1963 that said, ‘A change is coming,'” Ross said.
Dell Barnes, vice chairman of the Cherokee County Democratic Party, is voting for Charles Arnall because he believes education needs to be reevaluated at the state level.
“I am excited to see a true Oklahoma educator, Charles Arnall, seeking office in our state legislature,” he said.
Recent polls have given Jena Nelson a lead over Republican Ryan Walters for state superintendent of public instruction. Many think his numbers may be falling, in part, because he has promised to return the federal money.
“Warigia Bowman appears to be building enthusiasm for a long-overlooked Corporation Commission,” Barnes said. “This is an exciting time for voters to be able to go to the polls with real options to lift Oklahoma out of Stitt’s slump. It’s time to drain the swamp here and I hope the voters are ready to get this state back on track.
In a Facebook forum on Saturday, TDP readers had the opportunity to answer why they think there is a particular interest in this election and which careers interest them the most.
“The midterm elections will be the turning point for those who accept the legitimacy of our electoral system and those who don’t. Ironically, those who deny our system will continue to vote,” said Larry Houghton.
Eric Swanson said that he generally votes in every election in which he is eligible to vote, and this year will be no different.
“I think the gubernatorial race is the most important this year as it will determine whether Oklahomans continue to support Stitt’s policies or are ready for a different approach to the state’s problems,” Swanson said. “I think more people are paying attention to the state superintendent race this year, and its importance has increased accordingly.”
Robert Moates believes that it is important for voters to vote according to biblical principles.
“Things are not looking good under the current administration. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that we have strayed far from the biblical principles that made this country great. The evil in this world is not guns or weapons. republicans”. — are hearts without God,” Moates said.
The Cherokee County Republican and Libertarian Parties were contacted for comment but did not respond by press time.
What did you say
Daily Press readers were asked what they thought was the most important position available this November that will affect Cherokee County residents, with 70% saying the governor, followed by the state superintendent of public instruction, on 13 %; the US Senate seat held by Jim Inhofe, 7%; US House District 2, 2%; House District 4, 4%; and something else, 7%.
