28-04-2025
Jon Echols visits Bartlesville on his campaign for Oklahoma attorney general
Republican Jon Echols is officially on the campaign trail for Oklahoma Attorney General, making stops around Bartlesville on April 24 and April 25, introducing himself to voters and outlining his vision for the office.
Echols, a former state representative from Oklahoma City, sat down for an interview with the Examiner-Enterprise in between meetings with local police, firefighters and community leaders.
"I'm an Oklahoman through and through," Echols said in an interview with the EE. "I believe in a safer, freer, stronger Oklahoma, and I think the Attorney General's office is the best place to make a real difference for the citizens of this state."
Echols served 12 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, including eight as majority floor leader, before term limits forced him out in 2024. He announced his candidacy for attorney general earlier this year and says the response has been overwhelming, noting endorsements from more than 18 sheriffs and the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police.
The 45-year-old attorney said his goal is to bring a proven conservative record to the AG's office while ensuring that all citizens — regardless of background — are treated equally under the law.
"Whether you're from the richest part of Tulsa or the wrong side of south Oklahoma City, like my parents were, you will be treated the same by my office," he said.
Echols emphasized that the Attorney General's duties go beyond criminal law enforcement, explaining that a large part of the job involves protecting taxpayer dollars and serving as the legal counsel for state agencies. He pledged to maintain transparency and to prioritize upholding the Constitution.
One hot-button issue already on Echols' radar is the use of Flock Safety cameras, which are license plate readers that track vehicles, sparking debate locally and across the state. While some hail the technology as a crime-fighting tool, others worry it could violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.
More: Bartlesville City Council approves Flock camera rules after split vote, heated debate
Echols said he is taking a cautious approach.
"Anytime you're dealing with government surveillance, it has to be done within the confines of the Constitution — both Oklahoma's and the United States," he said.
He stressed that he is gathering information and weighing critical questions: how the cameras are used, where data is stored and whether the scope of surveillance is being legally applied.
"I'm not a shoot-from-the-hip guy," he said. "Whatever the law is, that's what we're going to follow."
Echols acknowledged the complexities surrounding surveillance technology, pointing out that he previously voted to authorize cameras used specifically to catch uninsured motorists — a system he said has operated appropriately within legal boundaries.
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With no major challengers yet announced, Echols is the first declared candidate in the race for the 2026 election. He says his campaign is about public service, not political ambition.
"If someone doesn't want a conservative Attorney General, I'm not their guy. I mean that and I have the track record to back it up," he said.
The filing period for the 2026 elections begins in April of that year.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Jon Echols campaign for Oklahoma AG comes to Bartlesville
