3 days ago
Voters to select three new Oklahoma representatives
Voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5 at an polling location in Edmond. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)
Three open seats in the Oklahoma House will be decided June 10 by voters in a special election.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m on the day of the election.
In Tulsa County, voters will choose between Republican Beverly Atteberry and Democrat Amanda Clinton.
The seat opened up when Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, stepped down in December for a position in the City of Tulsa's government.
Atteberry, 57, previously said she's lived in the district since 1993 and knows the community well since she's seen all of its 'ups and downs.'
As an attorney and business owner, she said her knowledge of the law and inner-workings of the state Capitol will let her 'hit the ground running.' Atteberry's law firm serves Tulsa area clients and focuses on wills, probate, and criminal law.
Improving Oklahoma's roads, public education and government spending to help bring more businesses to the state are among her priorities if elected, Atteberry told Oklahoma Voice.
Clinton, 46, is a small business owner, an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University and a former journalist. She worked for Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols' campaign and on boards for Planned Parenthood and the OSU Foundation Board of Governors.
She previously said she's an advocate for reproductive health freedom, access to medical care, clean water and minimizing 'state Superintendent Ryan Walters' impact on public schools.' Her priorities also include lowering the cost of living and ending homelessness, according to her website.
Clinton has said her experience with the Cherokee Nation has been an example to her of a government serving its people.
Democrat Amy Hossain will face off against Republican Kevin Wayne Norwood in the race for House District 74. The district in Tulsa and Rogers Counties includes Owasso and part of Tulsa.
Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, resigned in December for a job in the Tulsa County government.
Hossain, 50, works as the chief human resources officer for Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa and is the president of Khan Ohana, a nonprofit working to 'break the cycle of poverty among college students.'
She previously said she's running because as a voter, she's been frustrated by the lack of options on her ballot in the past and wanted to give voters the choice to elect someone from her party.
If elected, her priorities include raising the minimum wage, better funding for public schools, access to affordable and accessible health care and housing, according to her website.
Norwood, 58, is a pastor who said he's been involved in his community, helping to build businesses and mentoring youth, for three decades. His work with community initiatives like Keep Owasso Beautiful and Owasso Cares have led to recognition and awards, according to his website.
Building a 'vibrant' economy, tax relief for Oklahomans, safer communities, strong infrastructure and supporting community and family initiatives are among his priorities. He also intends to 'revitalize main streets' and stop the 'green energy grift,' according to his website.
Norwood will 'champion' his community and 'reflect conservative Oklahoma values,' according to his campaign website.
Finally, two Democrats, JeKia Harrison and Aletia Haynes Timmons, will vie for the open House District 91 seat, representing parts of Oklahoma City and Midwest City.
Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, stepped down in April to serve as an Oklahoma County commissioner.
Harrison, 35, works as a legislative assistant for Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, and previously worked as a child welfare specialist for the state Department of Human Services.
She also owns Pen 2 Paper Consulting, a political campaign consulting and management firm, and has been involved in leadership for organizations like Young Democrats of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action, which advocates for stronger gun laws.
Increased funding for Oklahoma public schools, more affordable housing, reforms to criminal justice and raising the minimum wage are some of Harrison's priorities, according to her campaign website.
Timmons, 64, is a recently retired Oklahoma County District judge and she previously worked in civil rights and employment law, as well as in the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office.
Her priorities include criminal justice reforms, greater accountability in government, strengthening the economy and 'finding common ground and working for real solutions,' according to her campaign website.
Timmons has received several awards and recognitions for her 'dedication to justice, community service, and diversity,' according to her website. She's a founder of a program in Northeast Oklahoma City addressing food insecurity and has worked as an instructor on Langston University's Oklahoma City campus.
Early voting is set for Thursday and Friday at select locations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Voters can check their registration status and polling location on the Oklahoma Election Board's website.
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