Election Irregularities Noted In Oklahoma SD15 Primary - Robert Keyes

Robert Keyes ran for election to SD15 in Cleveland County as a Republican against Lisa Standridge in the primary this year. Fifty-one votes short of election, Keyes was fine with losing the election, but then got a call from a member of the Cleveland County GOP. That individual shared that he had found numerous anomalies in the election. Appalled at the sheer number of irregularities, Keyes wanted to file a complaint with the State Election Board (SEB) but realized that a simple recount would do little more than echo the report of the SEB, so he dug a bit deeper and found that he could file an Application For Irregularities. Keyes found this a very difficult process - so difficult in fact, that he called in attorneys. Here he explains a few of the anomalies his team found during their search.

OK State Election Board Policies Incompatible With OK Law; Robert Keyes

Robert Keyes ran for election to SD15 in Cleveland County as a Republican against Lisa Standridge in the primary this year. Fifty-one votes short of election, Keyes was fine with losing the election, but then got a call from a member of the Cleveland County GOP. That individual shared that he had found numerous anomalies in the election. Appalled at the sheer number of irregularities, Keyes wanted to file a complaint with the State Election Board (SEB) but realized that a simple recount would do little more than echo the report of the SEB, so he dug a bit deeper and found that he could file an Application For Irregularities. Keyes found this a very difficult process - so difficult in fact, that he called in attorneys. Here he explains what he did and the fact that what SEB does isn't always compatible with law.

Sample Ballots Can Be A Great Help At Your Polling Place

Wow, today's LIVE podcast was a wide-ranger! We brought up various websites that provide voter information and walked through them a bit. We also talked a whole lot about our voting philosophies, so you won't want to miss the whole video here on YouTube and Rumble. Jenni talks about how much of a help it was for her mom when Jenni would print out her sample ballot, take it to her house and walk through her voting options. Then, her mom would take it to her polling place to use it as a cheat sheet. Don't hesitate to use this method if it will help you recall the people/issues you've decided to give your vote!

Duplicate Voter Found On Comanche County Voter Rolls After Primary Election Audit

On Friday, October 11th, Michael and Jenni had their friend Amber Evans from Comanche County, Oklahoma, on to talk about her examination of Comanche County voter rolls in the face of new information from the Oklahoma Election Board that the Oklahoma 2024 primary elections were 100% accurate. Amber ran Comanche county data against the NCOA in September of last year and found that 19.3% of the registered voters in the county had moved and/or registered in another county or state. That’s a very large number of INELIGIBLE VOTERS on the rolls in that county and who’s to say if people are double voting? How would anyone know? In addition, she also found a voter with double registration – another thing that was supposed to be in the purged data according to our Governor and the SEB. Again, without real data on the purge – which we’re not given – Oklahoma citizens are unable to examine these issues for themselves. THAT is a problem. To read more information about the full interview, check out the blogpost on our website here: https://rope2.org/2024/10/12/is-everyone-listed-on-oklahoma-voter-rolls-a-qualified-elector/

Is Everyone Listed On The Oklahoma Voter Rolls A Qualified Elector

On Friday, October 11th, Michael and Jenni had their friend Amber Evans from Comanche County, Oklahoma, on to talk about her examination of Comanche County voter rolls in the face of new information from the Oklahoma Election Board that the Oklahoma 2024 primary elections were 100% accurate. Since the 2020 election, Amber has taught herself about elections in Oklahoma and has been using the information she's learned, to examine Oklahoma's voter rolls. After the State Election Board gave its audit report for the Oklahoma primary elections, Amber looked at the number of people on the voter rolls in Comanche County who couldn't - according to state law in Title 26 - be considered 'qualified electors'. There were a large number - a large enough number to throw an election. This is concerning. Not only that, but when Jenni went back to look at the primary audit report released in August, there were NUMEROUS questions about the transparency of the data provided to the public and released through the Governor's office. That information can be found in a blog on the topic here on our website: https://rope2.org/2024/10/12/is-everyone-listed-on-oklahoma-voter-rolls-a-qualified-elector/ We simply can't be taking the SEB's word on the accuracy of our elections with so many unanswered questions existing for Oklahoma's voter rolls.

ROPE Report Short - OK Election Bills To Act On 3.11.24

PLEASE. CONTACT YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE ASAP ABOUT THESE BILLS FOR THE WEEK OF 3.11.24!

Bills to support:

HJR 1048 Roberts. Put the question to the people on Ranked Choice Voting as a constitutional matter. 

HB3156 Roberts. Legislation to ban Ranked Choice Voting. 

HB3563 Banning. Moves school board elections to November. 

HB3717 O’Donnell. Voter Photo ID placed on registration card. 

HB3815 Dollens. Prohibiting foreign funding for ballot measures. 

HB3325 Staires. ONLY US Citizens and residents of Oklahoma can vote. Clarifies language. 

Bills to oppose:

HB4127 Swopes. County commissioners work with County Election Boards to allow county employees to work as precinct officials. Takes the elections out of the hands of citizens. Given the machine situation that’s a recipe for fixed machines if these employees are inspectors. The county officials can fix all races that way by threatening someone’s job. 

SB1989 Haste. Same as HB4127. 

Bills that were NOT HEARD in committee that we NEED:

SB2034 Dahm. Restricting absentee ballots. 

SB1659 Stewart. Reregistering Oklahomans to vote. 

A proof of citizenship or legal residency requirement on registration is an issue that may conflict with the National Voter Registration Act according to a judge in Kansas. 

I don’t think the NVRA was meant to protect the rights of non citizens to vote. And if it does it needs to be challenged in SCOTUS. PASS THE LAW. 

Why Were Both The GOP Member And Alternate Member Fired From The OK CO Election Board?

Wendi Dial, Charity Linch and Michael Grande talk about the circumstances of a special Oklahoma State Election Board meeting held on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024, during which both the GOP OK Co Election Board member and alternate were fired from their seats on the board after a 10-hour long Executive Session. Many questions remain.

Watch the full video on our YouTube - https://lnkd.in/gbH8q25D - and Rumble - https://lnkd.in/g-HBivTQ - channels.

ROPE2 is providing this podcast as a public service, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of ROPE2 policy. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on ROPE Report Live does not imply an endorsement of them, any entity they represent, or the veracity of any statements or claims they may make during the course of he podcast.

Michael and Jenni With Karmin Grider - Judges NOT To Retain In 2024

We had ROPE Report Regular Karmin Grider on today to talk about Oklahoma's judges. She is continuing to do research of our elected officials and publish it on her website www.KarminGrider.com. We talked about OK SUPREME COURT justices who are appointed by the Governor initially, but then must be either RETAINED or NOT RETAINED on the general election ballot. Most people know very little about Oklahoma's judicial system, let alone who to vote for - OR NOT - in an election cycle. Here we mention THREE Supreme Court justices who should NOT be RETAINED on the ballot this fall. Please watch, remember their names and continue to follow Karmin's website for more information to be uploaded as she has time.

Wendi Dial - How Easy Is It To Change An Oklahoma Voter's Information On...

THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN REMOVED BY ROPE! Here's why - we didn't go far enough into the voter portal on air. After speaking with Representative Eric Roberts, he ran and passed a bill to protect this information online. Now, if you go into the portal, you absolutely have to provide personal information to be able to change any of your voter information online. The only thing YOU CAN DO without signing in further is to request an absentee ballot. So...it only made sense to remove the video since it was INCORRECT. Thank you Representative Eric Roberts!

Part 1: Jake Merrick Supported, Then Worked Against By Oklahoma Council For Public Affairs (OCPA) Dark Money Groups

               

Jake Merrick won a special election for now-Congresswoman Stephanie Bice's open Senate seat last year.  Jake is a Conservative, pro-life, pro-2nd amendment, small business owner who has served Oklahoma well since his special election.  Oklahoma Council for Public Affairs (OCPA) dark money helped him in his first election.  Here's the rub:  After voting YES in committee, he voted NO (on the Senate floor) on a bill to send public money to private schools (voucher - SB1647). This election cycle, OCPA is using many thousands of dollars to influence voters AGAINST HIM through a different dark money group.  

Voting Information For Judges and State Questions!

Every election season, people come to me and say, "What judges do I vote for?" I always have to laugh and tell them that I haven't a clue - I only seem to look at education policy. I never know how to vote in these elections myself! Granted, this blog post isn't about education, but it is about citizenship and being an informed voter and that's SO IMPORTANT!  

Recently, I received an email from Sharon Annesley of the Oklahoma Liberty Tea Party in Blanchard. This is HANDS DOWN the best information on judges I've EVER SEEN! This is awesome and I asked her permission to share it with you! The best part of the whole piece was that she has listed ALL the URL's she used for research, so if you want to go check them out yourself, you darn sure can! Thank you again so much for sharing Sharon! I hope this helps you as much as it helped me!  If anyone has any information they want to add to the post, please do! Discussion is great!

NOV. 4^th ELECTION INFORMATION

·         Important Dates…

·         Link to List of All Candidates…

·         Judicial Retention Elections…

·         State Questions on the Ballot….

IMPORTANT DATES

The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4^th, 2014.  Absentee ballots are already being sent out. 

General Election:                               Tuesday, November 4

Last day to register to vote:                October 10

Deadline to request absentee ballot:   5 p.m. October 29

Early voting:                                       Thursday, October 30, 8 AM - 6 PM

                                                Friday, October 31, 8 AM - 6 PM

                                                Saturday, November 1, 9 AM - 2 PM

LIST OF ALL CANDIDATES/OFFICES AROUND THE STATE:

A list of all the Statewide Candidates on the Nov. 4^th Ballot can be found at the following:

http://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/General%20Election%202014%20Candidates.pdf

JUDICIAL RETENTION IN HIGHER COURTS:

In the following Judicial Retention comments, I have completed a cursory review of these candidates and this is how I’ll probably vote. However, you can and should look into the judges as much as possible to make a valid decision based on your personal values….If I get further information related to these people, I will forward on to you to help you with your decision-making….

For information on the DA and District Judge Elections for District 21, see original information below this email.  For elections in other Judicial Districts, see link above to “All Statewide Candidates”….

A Summary of my Overall Preferences on the Judicial Retention Elections:

RETAIN:

 ”YES” to GARY LUMPKIN – OK Criminal Appeals Court

 “YES” to BRIAN JACK GOREE – OK Civil Appeals Court

DO NOT RETAIN:

  “NO” to JOHN F. REIF – OK Supreme Court

  “NO” to TOM COLBERT – OK Supreme Court

             “NO” to JOSEPH M. WATT – OK Supreme Court

             “NO” to JERRY L. GOODMAN – OK Civil Appeals Court

             “NO” to JANE P. WISEMAN – OK Civil Appeals Court

             “NO” to DEBORAH BARNES – OK Civil Appeals Court

             “NO” to KEITH RAPP – OK Civil Appeals Court

DISCUSSIONS:

Historically, no High Court Judge has ever been “voted out” in an Oklahoma Retention Election…however, as voters become more educated, this could change…”If in doubt, vote'em out”…..

OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

DISTRICT NO. 1 – JOHN F. REIF – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Reif was originally appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2007.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/reif/  

CASES: http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK&judge=REIF&cd=Supreme%20Cour%20of%20Oklahoma

DISTRICT NO. 6 – TOM COLBERT – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Colbert was originally appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2004.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/colbert/

CASES:  http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK&judge=COLBERT&cd=Supreme%20Court%20of%20Oklahoma

DISTRICT NO. 9 – JOSEPH M. WATT – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Watt was originally appointed by Governor David Walters (D) in 1994.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/watt/

CASES: http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK&judge=Watt&cd=Supreme%20Court%20of%20Oklahoma

Probably one of the most publicized cases out of the OK Supreme Court this past year was when the OK Supreme Court took it upon themselves to "stay" the execution of two inmates despite the fact that this stay of execution was the responsibility of the OK Court of Criminal Appeals and not the OK Supreme Court.  By law, the OK Supreme Court handles no criminal cases.  The OK Court of Criminal Appeals voted NOT to stay the execution.

Colbert, C.J., Reif, V.C.J., Kauger, Watt and Combs, JJ., concurred with allowing for a Stay of Execution, even though it was fully outside of their jurisdiction per Oklahoma State Law (Constitution).

On the other hand Winchester, Edmondson, Taylor and Gurich, JJ., dissented with this Stay, claiming "The Appellants have maneuvered this Court right where they set out to put us and that is, for the first time in this Court's relevant history, in the middle of a death penalty appeal.  We have never been here before and we have no jurisdiction to be here now." (Justice Taylor)

No matter how the execution came out, the Justices who voted Yes were wrong in trying to “stay” the execution within the OK Supreme Court. We don’t need Supreme Court Justices who believe they can work outside the law and outside their jurisdiction.

http://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/supreme-court/2014/112741-0.html

http://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/supreme-court/

http://time.com/71098/oklahoma-supreme-court-execution-stays-granted-lethal-injection/

In 2008, the OklahomaConstition.com commented on these same 3 Justices…indicating that people should Vote “NO” for all three….

http://oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?nid=132&pastissue=1

http://judgepedia.org/Oklahoma_Supreme_Court

OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUSTICES

DISTRICT NO. 3 – GARY L. LUMPKIN – VOTE “YES”, to keep

Lumpkin was originally appointed by Gov. Henry Bellmon (R) in January 1989.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/lumpkin/

http://judgepedia.org/Oklahoma_Court_of_Criminal_Appeals

http://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-criminal/2014/

Cases:  http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CR&judge=LUMPKIN&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Criminal%20Appeals

In October 2012, political science professors Adam Bonica and Michael Woodruff of Stanford University attempted to determine the partisan ideology of State Supreme Court Justices in their paper, State Supreme Court Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns.  A score above 0 indicated a more conservative leaning ideology while scores below 0 are more liberal.  Lumpkin received a Campaign Finance score (CF score) of 0.88, indicating a conservative ideological leaning.  This is more conservative than the average CF score of 0.33 that justices received in Oklahoma.  The study is based on data from campaign contributions by judges themselves, the partisan leaning of contributors to the judges or, in the absence of elections, the ideology of the appointing body (governor or legislature).  This study is not a definitive label of a justice, but an academic gauge of various factors. 

http://judgepedia.org/Gary_Lumpkin

In 2008, the OklahomaConstitution.com commented on this same Justice…recommending the people Vote “Yes” on Justice Gary Lumpkin.

http://oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?nid=132&pastissue=1

OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUSTICES

DISTRICT NO.  1

OFFICE 1 – JERRY L. GOODMAN – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Goodman was appointed by Governor Frank Keating (R) in 1994.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/goodman/

CASES:  http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=GOODMAN&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

OFFICE 2 – JANE P. WISEMAN – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Wiseman was appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2005.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/wiseman/

CASES:  http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=WISEMAN&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

http://www.whoislog.info/profile/jane-wiseman-1.html

DISTRICT NO.  2

OFFICE 1 – DEBORAH B. BARNES – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Barnes was appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2008.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/barnes/

CASES:  http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=BARNES&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

Steve Fair, Republican, of Duncan, OK recommended a Vote of “NO” for Barnes in the 2010 election.  Although, Steve mostly recommends a “No” vote based on whether they were appointed by a Democrat or Republican Governor.

http://stevefair.blogspot.com/2010/09/here-comes-judges-up-until-1967.html

OFFICE 2 – KEITH RAPP – VOTE “NO”, not to keep

Rapp was appointed by Governor George Nigh (D) in 1984.

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/rapp/

CASES: 

RAPP (All but 2003, 2005)

http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=RAPP&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

KEITH RAPP (2003)

http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=KEITH%20RAPP&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

RAP (2005) http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=RAP&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

DISTRICT NO.  6

OFFICE 2 – BRIAN JACK GOREE – VOTE “YES”, to keep

Goree was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin (R) in 2012.

http://article.wn.com/view/2012/08/21/Oklahoma_state_Capitol_briefs_for_Aug_21/

BIO:  http://www.courtfacts.org/project/goree/

CASES:  http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/judges.asp?court=OK%20CIV%20APP&judge=GOREE&cd=Oklahoma%20Court%20of%20Civil%20Appeals

If you believe blogs, it appears that Justice Brian Goree is most likely a pro-gun and a pro-life person….

http://www.prolifeblogs.com/articles/aggregator.php/exclusive-former-abortion-clinic-worker-speaks-out-for-life/ht%20...%3C/aggregator.php?entry=1241193

In 2008, the Oklahoma Constition.com commented and recommended the following vote….

It is recommended that all four of these judges up for retention, Jerry Goodman, Jane Wiseman, Keith Rapp, and John Fischer, should be replaced.  VOTE NO on all four (Note:  3 of which are included in the 2014 election).   http://oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?nid=132&pastissue=1

http://judgepedia.org/Oklahoma_Court_of_Civil_Appeals

http://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-civil/2014/

http://okciviljustice.com/judical-evaluations/court-civil-appeals-judicial-evaluations

STATE QUESTIONS:

There are 3 State Questions on the ballot.  I will probably vote YES (to pass) on all 3, unless I hear something about them that is not so obvious....NOTE:  Always be careful how you vote on State Questions.  I don't have the actual wording on these and sometimes a "NO" vote is a pass-vote and sometimes a "YES" vote is a pass-vote...read them carefully.....

SQ 769  (Summary:  Modifying the current law in order to allow some of those who hold office to simultaneously be in a Reserve or Guard Unit, even if they are called to active service while holding office)

THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:

This measure amends Section 12 of Article 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution.  That Section currently imposes limits on an individual simultaneously holding certain government offices.  The amendment would permit those serving in state offices of trust or profit to also hold certain military positions.  Holders of an Oklahoma office of trust or profit who currently cannot simultaneously hold certain military positions, include:

    Legislators;

    State Judges;

    District Attorneys;

    Statewide elected officials, such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer;

    Members of State Boards, Agencies and Commissions, and Many County Officers.

The measure creates a state constitutional right permitting holders of Oklahoma offices of trust or profit to also serve and be called to active duty or active service in the following military positions:

    An Officer or Enlisted Member of

    The National Guard,

    The National Guard Reserve,

    The Oklahoma State Guard, or

    Any other active militia or military force organized under State law;

    An Officer of the Officers Reserve Corps of the United States or

    An Enlisted Member of the Organized Reserves of the United States.

The Measure empowers the Legislature to enact laws to implement the amended Section.

SQ 770  (Summary:  A Special Homestead Exemption for disabled veterans and spouses of disabled veterans)

THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:

This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution.  It amends Section 8E of Article 10.  This section provides a homestead exemption to certain qualifying disabled veterans.   It also provides a homestead exemption to the surviving spouse of qualifying disabled veterans.  This measure would allow either the veteran or his or her surviving spouse to sell the homestead but acquire another homestead property in the same calendar year.  The exemption would apply to the newly acquired homestead property to the same extent as the original exemption for the homestead property that was sold.

SQ 771  (Summary:  A Special Homestead Exemption for spouses of military personnel who have died in the line of duty)

THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:

This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution.  It would add a new Section 8F to Article 10.  It would create a homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of military personnel who die in the line of duty.  The United States Department of Defense or the applicable branch of the United States military would make the determination regarding whether the person engaged in military service died while in the line of duty.  It would provide the surviving spouse of such person with a one hundred percent (100%) exemption for the fair cash value of the homestead until the surviving spouse remarried.  This measure would allow the surviving spouse to sell the homestead, but acquire another homestead property in the same calendar year.  The exemption would apply to the newly acquired homestead property to the same extent as the original exemption for the homestead property that was sold.  The exemption would apply beginning in calendar year 2015.  The exemption would also apply for the 2014 calendar year if the surviving spouse meets applicable requirements.

THE CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND DISTRICT JUDGE DISTRICT @! (Cleveland, McClain and Garvin Counties)

Overall, my opinion on the Judicial Retention Elections (not those candidates below) are "If in doubt, vote them out"....

Generally, I vote NO to all judges that are on the "retention" list ballot unless I know them to be truly good and fair judges who do not want to legislate from the bench...

The two candidates for DISTRICT JUDGE are:  

STEVE STICE

JEFF VIRGIN

This new District Judge position will be principally located in Cleveland County.  Both of these men are currently working as Special Districat Judges in Cleveland County (Stice) and McClain County (Virgin).  

Steven Stice previously owned a small business and worked with others regarding business law for several years.; he worked in private practice for quite a few years; and, he has been a Special Judge for a few years.  His experience is broad-ranged.  He believes that it is important that both parties who come to court, be it criminal or civil cases, should be treated equally under the laws of the State and as applicable to law.  He did not believe that it was good to have "political" endorsements as he believes they should remain apolitical as the job calls for.  He has several judges within the state who endorse him.  He believes it is not his position to "legislate" from the bench.

Jeff Virgin is younger than Stice and essentially has less experience.  He has worked with the DA's office and he has worked as a Special Judge for a short time.  He has been endorsed by the Sheriffs' offices in all 3 counties and the DA's office.  He also has been endorsed by US Rep. Tom Cole and several of the State Legislators.  He is proud of these endorsements and he indicated that his experience as a Special Judge in McClain County has given him much broader experience than would be normally anticipated due to their heavy workload.

The meeting in Norman gave me a lot of insight into these two candidates and really helped me to make up my mind which one I believe to be the better candidate.  I think both candidates are worthy of the position; however, due to life and legal experience, I believe Steve Stice to be the better of the two candidates at this time.  I have no real problems with Jeff Virgin.  I agree with Steve Stice that judges should remove themselves from the political arena as much as they can.  I would also like for Jeff Virgin to obtain a little more experience.

My Choice:  STEVE STICE - DIST. JUDGE, D-21

The two candidates for DISTRICT ATTORNEY are:

GREG MASHBURN (incumbent)

MIKE MILLSTEAD

The District Attorney (along with the Assistant DA's appointed by him) work in all 3 counties (Cleveland, McClain, and Garvin Counties).

Greg Mashburn is the incumbent DA for District 21.  He has been our DA for 8 years.  Overall, Mashburn did not impress me too greatly.  His prosecution of many different crimes seemed to be somewhat "mechanical" in his viewpoint.  In example:  He commented that he gives drug offenders 5 chances (with various stepwise increasing punishments) and then sends them to prison.  His attitude didn't seem to take into account various types of scenarios that could occur with these people.  

Mike Milstead openly admitted that he has an "ax to grind" against Mashburn.  This appears to be his greatest reason for running for Dist. Attorney.  This "ax" appears to be marijuana (probably the legalization of it).  He believes that the possession and use of marijuana should not be a prison offense.  When asked questions about various issues, he seldom gave any answer unless the question related to marijuana.  I believe that he would "enact" marijuana legalization by poor or no prosecution of most offenders.  I don't know if he would do too well at anything else either.  His views and his overall presence pushed me to only consider Mashburn as a viable candidate.

My Choice:  GREG MASHBURN - DIST. ATTORNEY, D-21 

http://www.normantranscript.com/news/article_29daada0-3e8e-11e4-a231-170fe564136a.html