The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Ag PAC political action committee announced the endorsement of 13 candidates and financial support of an additional 26 in both state and federal races ahead of Oklahoma’s June 28 primary election.
The state Ag PAC board – a group of Farm Bureau members selected by their respective OKFB districts – met May 25 to discuss candidate support and endorsement based on feedback gathered from county and districtwide PAC meetings throughout the month of May.
The OKFB Ag PAC endorsed five candidates for United States Congress, three statewide candidates and five state Senate and state House of Representatives candidates.
U.S. Congressional candidates
James Lankford – U.S. Senate
Kevin Hern – U.S. House District 1
Frank Lucas – U.S. House District 3
Tom Cole – U.S. House District 4
Stephanie Bice – U.S. House District 5
Statewide candidates
Kevin Stitt – governor
John O’Connor – attorney general
Cindy Byrd – state auditor
Oklahoma Senate
Darcy Jech – Senate District 26
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Josh West – House District 5
Kyle Hilbert – House District 29
Kevin Wallace – House District 32
Anthony Moore – House District 57
The OKFB Ag PAC supports likeminded candidates who value agriculture and rural Oklahoma. While an endorsement from the OKFB Ag PAC is the highest level of support given to a candidate, the Ag PAC chose to give financial support to a number of additional candidates.
Statewide candidates receiving financial support include Matt Pinnell for lieutenant governor, Todd Russ for state treasurer, Kim David for corporation commissioner, Glen Mulready for insurance commissioner and Leslie Osborn for labor commissioner.
Oklahoma Senate candidates include Bill Coleman, SD 10; John Haste, SD 36; and Brenda Stanley, SD 42.
Candidates for the Oklahoma House of Representatives include Eddy Dempsey, HD 1; John Kane, HD 11; David Smith, HD 18; Sherrie Conley, HD 20; Charles McCall, HD 22; Logan Phillips, HD 24; Collin Duel, HD 31; John Talley, HD 33; Ty Burns, HD 35; Ken Luttrell, HD 37; Chad Caldwell, HD 40; Cindy Roe, HD 42; Tammy Townley, HD 48; Marcus McEntire, HD 50; Mark McBride, HD 53; Jeff Sawatzky, HD 55; Rhonda Baker, HD 60; and Ross Ford, HD 76.
At the Ag PAC meeting, members in attendance elected Jackson County Farm Bureau member Mike Schulz to serve as chairman of the Ag PAC board. Ryan Pjesky of Alfalfa County was elected as treasurer and Alan Jett of Beaver County was chosen as secretary.
“In an increasingly urban world, it is crucial to have elected officials who understand the importance of the agriculture industry and uphold the values of rural Oklahoma,” said Mike Schulz, OKFB Ag PAC chairman. “The Ag PAC is another way Oklahoma Farm Bureau gives a voice to farmers and ranchers through the grassroots process on which our organization is founded.”
Other members of the Ag PAC board include Brittany Hukill, Caddo County, District 3; Roger Fisher, Cotton County, District 4; Brian Knowles, LeFlore County, District 5; Allen Campbell, Cherokee County, District 6; LeRoy Odell, Pottawatomie County, District 8; and Sue Farmer, Lincoln County, District 9.
The OKFB Ag PAC board will meet after the June 28 primary election and again following the primary runoff on Aug. 23 to discuss additional candidate support leading into the Nov. 8 general election.
The PAC is funded through voluntary contributions from OKFB members. To make a contribution to the OKFB Ag PAC and strengthen your voice on election day, contact the OKFB Public Policy Department at (405) 523-2300*.
*Contributions or gifts to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Ag PAC are not tax deductible as charitable contributions.
