More than 150 people attended the gubernatorial candidate forum on agriculture hosted by Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association on Wednesday, Oct. 26 in Lawton.
The forum featured incumbent candidate Gov. Kevin Stitt and was moderated by Ron Hays, senior farm and ranch broadcaster for the Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network. Democratic candidate Joy Hofmeister was invited but did not attend.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear Gov. Stitt’s position on a number of top agriculture and rural issues, including drought, medical marijuana, agricultural education and CareerTech, Oklahoma State University Extension and more.
During the forum, Stitt emphasized the priority he will place on rural Oklahoma if re-elected to serve another term as Oklahoma’s governor.
“I will protect our rural communities and our rural way of life,” he said.
He discussed the importance of quality infrastructure in rural Oklahoma, including his plans to expand rural broadband access, add shoulders to all two-lane highways in the state and increase business opportunities in rural areas.
Stitt was firm when asked about the longevity of the agricultural sales tax exemption farmers and ranchers use on a daily basis.
“We wouldn’t do anything that would mess with our farming exemptions,” he said.
He also spoke on his education priorities and his efforts to preserve and protect Oklahoma’s rural schools.
“Rural schools are the fabric of our state,” Stitt said.
Stitt said his statewide priorities for his potential second term in office are education, healthcare, infrastructure and the economy.
Stitt is up for re-election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. He is endorsed and supported by the OKFB Ag PAC.
To see a full list of endorsed and supported candidates as well as additional voter resources, visit okfb.news/vote22.
