Candidates make pitch for Republican primary

When Sequoyah County citizens head to the polls for the June 18 Republican primary election, they’ll be balloting among candidates who, as it turns out, are virtually interchangeable as to their hopes and dreams for their constituents.

At least that’s how the candidates — Rep. Jim Olsen (incumbent) and E.O. “Junior” Smith for state representative, Julie Haywood (incumbent) and Rosa Scott Looper for county clerk, and Gina Cox (incumbent) and Melanie Edgmon for county court clerk — portrayed themselves at Monday’s candidate forum at the People Inc. Conference Center. Your TIMES and KXMX Mix 105.1 co-sponsored the forum to engage the electorate, providing an opportunity for candidates vying for the seats to let voters know where they stand on issues important to county citizens.

Throughout the evening, the candidates, all of whom possess extensive experience applicable to the office they seek, focused on their:

• Eagerness to serve their constituents

• Belief in their abilities and qualifications

• Desire to promote teamwork

• Recognition of their strengths while acknowledging weaknesses that can be overcome

The forum, with about 60 in attendance, was moderated by Marley Abell, senior vice president for First Financial in Sallisaw, and a tireless community volunteer who has previously moderated more than a dozen such candidate forums.

Opening statement excerpts

Julie Haywood

• Haywood — “When taking office, I vowed to keep the records filed and indexed on a daily basis. With my invaluable staff, that has been accomplished. Last year, they filed more than 10,000 real estate documents, and worked continuously to get more than 12 years of records in our system to make them more accessible. The job of county clerk is a whole lot more than just filing some deeds and paying a few bills. If you look at the job description on OSU’s website, the very last sentence says, ‘It is the duty of the county clerk to ensure that all transactions at the county comply with state law and serve the public interest.’ I realize the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public funds. Our general fund budget for this fiscal year was $5.4 million. Last year we collected over $5 million in sales tax revenue. We have 40 cash accounts, and today have a current balance of almost $14 million. All of these funds play a crucial role in supporting the function of the county. Another duty at the county clerk is to record all appropriations and expenditures for each department. Last year we issued almost 6,000 purchase orders and issued more than 8,000 checks totaling more than $13 million in payments of goods and services. In addition to this, we issued almost $13 million to your schools and your district, Career Tech and library for their portion of property tax collections. I am also responsible for processing payroll. We currently have about 190 employees, and last year our gross wages were $5.5 million. In addition to this the county paid almost $2 million in benefits.”

Rosa Scott Looper

• Looper — “In my early years, I worked for Guy Thompson Insurance Agency. I was a licensed insurance agent through the state of Oklahoma. I wrote personal and commercial insurance, I serviced the policies, I collected premiums, I filed claims. I later attended nursing school and began working as a nurse. In 2007, my husband started Sallisaw Overhead Door. Over the next few years our business grew and flourished. We had thousands of clients all over eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. I managed the payroll, the billing, the sales, the customer service, and even assisted with some of the installs. We eventually sold the business, and I continued working as a nurse for Health and Wellness Sallisaw location. When I am elected, I plan to work together with all our elected officials to make our county government stronger. We will have a friendly, professional and family oriented office, and I will welcome our employees’ input and ideas on how to make us better. I will do everything I can to help and improve every county office.

Gina Cox

• Cox — “As for my work experience, I was at the sheriff’s office for five years where I was the assistant office administrator. I then went on to work for the town of Roland as a communication officer and dispatch supervisor for six years. I became the court clerk for the town of Roland for four years after that, and then ran for the office of Sequoyah County court clerk in 2020. I’ve enjoyed the past three and a half years, and I hope to continue being your court clerk for another four.”

• Edgmon — “I was previously employed at National Bank of Sallisaw for 18 years. While I worked there, I worked in bookkeeping, I did accounts payable, balanced general ledgers, worked as a supply clerk, did new accounts, was a loan secretary, a CIS specialist, a proof operator, a teller and a vault teller. I’ve previously worked in the court clerk’s office for seven years. It is my experience there that sparked the love and the respect of that office to me. I worked under Vicki Beaty for most of that time, but I also worked under our current court clerk, Gina Cox, for a short time as well. While working there, I served as a civil clerk, a criminal clerk, a traffic clerk, a passport clerk, a court room clerk to small claims and protective order court, a jury management system clerk, I issued marriage licenses, I issued private processor licenses, I took payments and I balanced daily as well. I left that office with a sadness in my heart, and this led to a spark in my heart. And I knew that that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to run for court clerk. I wanted to make that office all that it could be again. So here I am three years later, still with that spark in my heart, because I love that office, running for court clerk for Sequoyah County, and that decision has never been waning.”

Jim Olsen

• Olsen — “It’s been my privilege to serve for the past six years. I became born again and started my Christian life when I was 20 years old. At that point, the Bible was established as the final authority in my life. I also serve as pastor of Calvary Lighthouse. For me, being a conservative and a Republican is not a Johnny-come-lately type thing. I’ve been a conservative from the time I was a young child. I have been loyal to those principles my entire life. I have been registered as a Republican for over 45 years. I’ve never been anything else. I told the people of Sequoyah County when I first ran in 2018 that I would stand for three things: Biblical principles, conservative family values and constitutional law, and I have done exactly what I said that I would do. I’m widely recognized as one of the strongest and most consistent conservatives in the entire legislature. So if you are conservative, the choice is clear.”

• Smith — “E.O. is just an initial name, and Junior is what all my friends call me, and I’m hoping before the night’s over, everybody in the room will be calling me Junior. When I first went home to my family and told them what I wanted to do … they were upset because I’d be gone so long. Then I got to talking to them [about] how I was really wanting to do this, how I wanted to help people — I’m a people person. I love helping people. I will be voting for President Trump for the third time this coming election. Biden and his border politics just scare me to death. I did wanna say, I am pro-gun, and the NRA has gave me the highest rating as a candidate. I am pro-life, definitely pro-life. If somebody tells you that I’m not pro-life, they’re misinformed or they’re lying to you, because I am pro-life. I’m against new taxes. Elders and veterans, I will be a good friend to you. If you’ll look at my voting record, for the last seven years I served on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. And I have been very supportive of the veterans and very supportive of the elders, and I’m very proud of my record.”

Making their case

Of the five questions posed to the candidates, answers to the last — “What do you feel you bring to the table that your opponent does not?” — had the most substance.

• Haywood — “It’s a lot more than people realize,” she said of the job, pointing out that she brings experience and knowledge gained in the position.

• Looper — She highlighted her experience in abstracting, insurance and land records, and will be “out in the community other than just being at that job.”

• Cox — Although she acknowledged her opponent’s qualifications, she countered by pointing out that she brings “actual experience in the office, actually being court clerk.”

• Edgmon — She agreed that both candidates “have a passion for the office,” but noted in contrast that likability and ability “are too different things.” In addition to touting her qualifications, she promised to be in the office every day to serve the public.

• Olsen — He highlighted his biblical and constitutional convictions, as well as his “courage to stand by them.” He further emphasized that he has stood against abortion, “mutilating teenagers” in the name of gender identity and Critical Race Theory. “I do not back up, I do not back down. I stand for what’s right,” he said.

• Smith — In drawing a contrast to his opponent, he pointed to Olsen’s agenda, saying it does not represent “enough diversity.” He then reiterated his desire to curb illicit drugs, while noting his leadership roles serving on numerous committees, and renewing his observation that opportunities related to the I-40 corridor and tourism are being squandered.

Closing statements

• Haywood — “Twelve years ago upon taking office, I took an oath to protect your rights as property owners, taxpayers and voters, and to perform the duties of the county clerk’s office to the best of my ability. In these 12 years, besides doing the job every day, I have spent 280 hours in 44 different classes with the county training program offered through Oklahoma State University to obtain my basic, advanced 1 and advanced 2 certifications. I believe this, along with my associate’s degree in business administration and my 29 years of experience in land records, makes me the most qualified candidate for this position. Being the county clerk is a lot more than just having a title. It’s not always an 8-to-4 job, but it’s where my heart is, and I consider it a privilege to serve the citizens of Sequoyah County. It’s often said that county government is the closest to the people, and I believe that to be true. I am and always will be available to you. And I’ve been blessed with four deputy clerks who share that same vision. It is our desire to provide unequaled customer service and to perform our statutory functions to the best of our ability. I believe I have kept my oath to you, the people, and if you agree, I thank you, and I ask for you to remember me on June 18th.”

• Looper — “This election is two weeks away. I wish the best for everyone. I have learned people still like that knock on the door and that handshake. The campaign has been an eye-opening, learning experience. I’ve met some wonderful people from all over the county. As I stated in my opening statement, if I am elected, my first goal is to work together with our other elected officials to make our courthouse and our county government better. Our office will be professional, friendly and family oriented.”

• Cox — “When I won the election in 2020 as your current court clerk, I made two promises. The first one was to cross-train all deputy clerks. Since then, over half of my girls have done this. The other was I promised to work side by side with my deputy clerks. I understand tonight that some feel that I haven’t. I feel that I have proven this, and it’s been noticed. I’ve been told by the public, I’ve been told from attorneys and other offices in the courthouse. When I took over as Sequoyah County court clerk, I soon found out that we owed the administration office of the courts about $100,000. For the past three and a half years, we have kept bills paid and we haven’t built a negative balance … [and we have stayed] in compliance with the monthly and quarterly reports that the state requires. What helps me most of all is the outstanding professionalism and work ethics of all my deputy clerks in our office. They really are an amazing group of ladies, and they work great as a team. We all promise to make the office even better the next four years.”

Melanie Edgmon

• Edgmon — “I’d like to run the best possible office that I could for the court clerk’s office. Sequoyah County deserves the best service that they can get when they must go in the court clerk’s office, whether it’s to pay a fine, get a marriage license or get a copy of a divorce decree. Whether you’re a civilian, an attorney, a bondsman, a secretary or just doing research, things should be in order, and your questions should be answered. You should be able to leave the court clerk’s office feeling confident that your matter and your paperwork are being taken care of. I hope to put back some of the trust that has been lost in that office.”

• Olsen — “We’re the reddest state in the union, and to get elected in Oklahoma, you’ve got to be a strong conservative or at least come across as one. How does the voter tell who the conservative is? I will observe if somebody has a proven record, that pretty much tells the tale. I told them in 2018, biblical principles, conservative family values and constitutional law. That is exactly what I have stood for, advocated and advanced. [I was ] the key person in closing the abortion clinics. [I was] one of the primary authors on constitutional carry. [I have] endorsements from Students for Life the NRA, Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, 100% conservative score from The Oklahoma Constitution, four awards from CPAC, Oklahoma Faith Leaders endorsement, and an A-plus rating from Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights. That is a proven record.”

E.O ‘Junior’ Smith

• Smith — “I am definitely pro-gun. Anybody that says I’m not, doesn’t know me, doesn’t know my family. I killed my first buck, a 142-pound buck, on Dwight Mission when I was 10 years old. I’ve squirrel hunted my whole life. I went with Skeeter McKeever to kill my first squirrel when I was 6 years old. I’m a gun lover. I am for NRA. So anything said on that is not the truth. I believe I’m qualified with all the committees I’ve served on and all the different conventions I’ve attended and the times I’ve been to Washington and times I’ve been to the state capitol. I know how it works. And I will work. I’m a worker. I get up every morning ready to go. Remember this, I will take your call and I will work on your problem. Give me a chance, send me up there and let me see what you think I’m trying to do and let me show you how I can try to help. I’m gonna try to help you to the best of my ability. I think there are things that can be done, and if you’ve got any questions, call me. I would love to visit with you. Remember, I’m a people person that wants to serve you, and I appreciate your vote.”