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Mike Kelley and Ron Lynch are running in the runoff election to fill the seat of outgoing state Rep. Rhonda Baker, a Republican from Yukon.
Lynch said the overall ranking of Oklahoma’s schools was disappointing, adding, “Our school system is a disaster.”
He said he wants students to be better educated so they can grow into successful adults, and that will be achieved by increasing transparency in how the Oklahoma State Department of Education allocates funds. Lynch said the department keeps asking for more money but has already received large sums, mostly from property taxes and lotteries.
“It’s just a broken machine,” he said. “That’s why I was in favor of the voucher program, because if this public school system doesn’t change and become a good system for students, then other means have to be created so that your child can get a better education.”
Lynch said he supports the implementation of a county school district system in which a superintendent and a principal lead the school district.
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Kelley said he was also not impressed with the low ranking, adding that everyone needs to get better and expects that. However, the change will not happen overnight, he said.
“We need to bring the key players together and develop a plan to improve our education system,” he said. “It may look very different from what we are currently doing, and if that is the case, then we will do it.”
Economy, taxes, infrastructure
Yukon Mayor Brian Pillmore said the city’s main concern is investing in the core infrastructure of a growing city. That includes roads, water systems, wastewater treatment and more, he told The Oklahoman. All of their legislators are just a phone call away, he said.
“One critical area where the state legislature can help us and other communities is ensuring safe drinking water,” he said. “Our aquifer has arsenic levels that are higher than allowable, forcing us to purchase water from Oklahoma City.”
Both candidates said they were aware of Yukon’s infrastructure needs. Lynch, however, said he was unaware of the water issue but was willing to work with the city, saying Yukon was “growing like a weed.”
Kelley said he believes lawmakers should right-size government, which means focusing on the core services of government – infrastructure, education and public safety. He’s in favor of helping cities figure out their needs and continuing the relationships previous lawmakers built.
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“I’m a consensus builder by nature, having worked as an emergency responder for nearly 34 years. You have to be able to build consensus,” he said. “A good idea is a good idea. It doesn’t matter whose idea it is. Conversely, a bad idea is a bad idea, and I will work to promote the ideas that best serve my district in our state.”
On the topic of taxes, Pillmore said local economies thrive when hard-working families can spend more money locally, benefiting their family, friends and neighbors.
“If the state of Oklahoma manages tax dollars responsibly and limits government growth, tax cuts are possible. Only as government expands – and the desire for authority and larger programs increases – will tax rates need to rise,” he said.
Lynch said he supports the idea of cutting sales and income taxes, but is cautious about being reckless because it is usually property taxes that are increased.
Kelley said he is in favor of more tax cuts, but that they can only be achieved by improving efficiencies and eliminating redundant systems within state government. This would free up money that could potentially be used for tax cuts. He is also concerned about rising property taxes.
“I can promise you that most people in the district I represent could not afford to raise their property taxes that much to fund services. I think there is a balance there,” he said. “As a lifelong conservative Republican, I’m always looking for ways to lower taxes and give people their money back.”
About the candidates
Kelley was born and raised in Bethany. He has a wife, four daughters and four grandchildren. He is the executive director of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, representing about 15,000 firefighters and their families. He and his wife enjoy spending time with their family, attending school and sporting events and traveling. Church has always been important to them and although “the campaign is hectic,” they never miss a service.
“That’s what grounds us. It’s not really our campaign, it’s God’s,” he said. He also credits his decision to run to his lobbying for firefighters and the encouragement he received from members of the House Veterans Caucus.
Lynch is originally from Iowa but moved to Oklahoma in 1979 while visiting family who lived here and eventually stayed. He has a wife and five children and six grandchildren. Ron and his wife own Kernels and Kandies on Northwest Expressway, where they sell gourmet popcorn, candy and Sweet Home Prairie Fudge.
Lynch said he had long considered running for Parliament, but his family and business kept him busy. If elected, he looks forward to making a change.
“We need to stop funding things that need fixing. I want to fund things, but you need to fix things,” he said.
