Only Yesterday

There's a framed photo on the walls at the new OKDEMS HQ adorned with Democratic leaders from 2007: Governor Brad Henry, Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, State Superintendent Sandy Garrett, Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, and State Auditor & Inspector Steve Burrage among others.

While that may seem a long time ago, I'm a history teacher by trade, and I'm sure many Oklahomans who pay attention remember that time.

And it’s worth remembering. In many ways, it was only yesterday.

Let's look at the last time pour state was governed by Democrats, until about 2011.

Oklahoma was ranked 17th in Public Instruction, buoyed by a solid corps of professional teachers. The Minimum Wage had been RAISED to $7.25, benefiting workers at the bottom. The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2009, and was poised to bring health care insurance to 400,000 more Oklahomans who did not qualify for Medicaid. We were making investments to make Oklahoma a better place to work, to live, and to raise a family. 

Then Republicans ousted Democrats in all leadership branches. The GOP immediately and irresponsibly cut taxes, leading to a decade of falling revenues in which we led the nation in cuts to public education. Governor Fallin blocked federal dollars to fund expansion of Soonercare, and compared struggling teachers to "a teenage kid who wants a better car."

She left office with record low approval ratings, but was replaced by Governor Kevin Stitt who promised to attract investment but really only ever tried to doll out corporate welfare to boardroom buddies leading to the failure of deals with Panasonic and MANY others. 

He instead picked fights with the Tribes, and rewarded his friends with sweetheart deals. In just two years, his handpicked tennis pal Ryan Walters devastated public education with the help, cover, and silence of the GOP.

We fulfilled Stitt's goal of becoming Top Ten, in all of the worst categories: maternal mortality, child hunger, incarceration rates, and covid deaths. 

But at the same time, Democrats and our neighbors fought on a new axis, through ballot initiatives, that forced the legislature to reduce sentences, expand health care access, and modernize alcohol and marijuana laws.

It was these wins made possible by the People of Oklahoma FOR the People of Oklahoma that have led to the Legislature's attacks on the initiative process. 

Just recently, Governor Stitt summarized Republican policies when he said, "it's not his job," to solve problems like homelessness, even as he drove homeless folks from camps into parks and neighborhoods with his reckless Operation Safe.

You see what's happening? Republicans don't want to fix things, only break them.

Imagine, now, what it would be like if we elected more Democrats and invested in the politics of problem-solving -- like we've done before.

Here at OKDEMS, we are preparing to elect Democrats across the State who are committed to policy solutions that actually make Oklahoma a better place to live. 

We've doubled the number of candidates running for office from 2024 levels, and we're supporting them statewide by helping them get their messages out, train volunteers, and reach voters.

It won't be easy, but with your support we can break through and make a better future for our State. 

It's an historic opportunity to make change. I hope you'll join us in laying the groundwork for success next year by contributing to our work.

If you read this far, it's because you believe in Oklahoma's future as much as we do. 

Thanks for your support!

As Oklahoma Democrats, we are working every day to engage, connect, and organize Oklahomans to elect Democrats at every level of government.