Deputy District Director Brian O'Hara launches campaign for Senate District 37

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Senator Dan Newberry has resigned his seat, effective January 31, 2018.

Brian O'Hara, Deputy District Director for Congressman Jim Bridenstine, has declared his intent to pursue the Senate District 37 seat that will soon be vacated by Senator Dan Newberry.

Newberry won reelection to a third term in November, but tendered his resignation earlier this month to pursue his private sector career. His resignation will not take effect until January 31, 2018. 

SEE RELATED: State Senator Dan Newberry resigns seat to pursue professional promotion

The filing period for the District 37 election will be June 26-28 with a primary election being held September 12, and the general election on November 14. In the event that a primary election is not necessary, the general election will be September 12. 

O'Hara was previously a City Councilman for the City of Jenks from 2011-2013 and the Senior Vice President of Omni Financial from 2010-2013. 

O'Hara graduated from Kempsville High School in Virginia, then achieved an Associates Degree from Montreat College and a Bachelor's in History from Belhaven College. Both of his degrees are from private Christian colleges. Montreat is located in North Carolina, and Belhaven is in Mississippi.

He has been married to his wife, Karen, for 34 years and has five children. Three of his kids graduated from Jenks Public School. He has been a host parent for exchange students from Denmark, Brazil, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands. 

Some of his civic service includes serving on the Home Owner's Association boards for Elwood Park and Stonehorse, both located in Jenks. He has been an Elder at River Oaks Presbyterian Church and Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, and was a Deacon at Madison Presbyterian Church. He graduated Leadership Broken Arrow, Leadership Bixby, Leadership Sand Springs, and Leadership Glenpool. Each is a four-month educational class on organizations, charities, and government entities within those communities.

He has served in various volunteer positions with the Salvation Army and Red Cross and is a member of the Bixby and Jenks Rotary Clubs. He has previously served as a Board Member for the Jenks Public Works Authority, the Oklahoma Aquarium Authority, the Madison County Cultural Center, and Turn Tulsa Pink.

O'Hara will be holding a Campaign Kickoff Event Monday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Los Cabos Mexican Grill in Jenks. Congressman Bridenstine is expected to attend the event.

Bridenstine sent out an endorsement email calling O'Hara "a friend, a conservative, and a man of integrity. I am confident he will serve his constituents with honor in the Oklahoma State Senate, and I am proud to endorse him." 

Governor Mary Fallin Calls Special Election for State Senate District 37 Seat

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin ordered a special election to fill the vacancy in Oklahoma Senate District 37 caused by the irrevocable resignation of Senator Dan Newberry. His resignation will become effective January 31, 2018.

The filing period for the special election is June 26-28. The special primary election is set for September 12 and the special general election is scheduled for November 14.

In the event that a special primary election is not necessary, the special general election will be September 12.

Newberry, of Tulsa, announced his resignation earlier this month. Senate District 37 covers parts of Tulsa County, including Sand Springs, Jenks, and West and South Tulsa.

Gov. Fallin signs legislation allowing military personnel to carry without license

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Fallin recently signed legislation to allow certain military members to carry a handgun without a handgun license. Senator Kim David is the author of Senate Bill 35 and says military members’ extensive training with weapons makes the requirement of having a gun license unnecessary. 

"Our military men and women are highly trained in combat and how to use weapons. Requiring them to get a license to carry a handgun is redundant and an expense our Oklahoma heroes shouldn’t have to worry about,” said David, R-Porter. “I want to thank my colleagues and Gov. Fallin for supporting this important measure and respecting the training and knowledge of these brave men and women.”

SB 35 modifies the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act by allowing active military members and those who are in the Reserves or National Guard who are 21 years of age or older to be able to present a valid military identification card in place of a handgun license. Individuals must also have in their possession a valid Oklahoma driver license or an Oklahoma state photo ID card at all times when carrying an authorized pistol. 

The new bill goes into effect November 1, 2017. 

This press release was submitted by the Oklahoma State Senate media department.

Any opinions expressed or implied are those of the author and do not reflect an editorial endorsement by Sandite Pride News.

Sandite Pride News encourages community submissions regardless of platform or position, to effect a constructive dialogue about any issues affecting our community.

SB 35 passed the House of Representatives by unanimous 85-0 vote and the Senate by unanimous 46-0 vote. Representative Jadine Nollan and Senator Dan Newberry, whose districts include Sand Springs, both voted in favor of the measure.

Sen. Newberry, ODOT officials tour and discuss Highway 51 conditions in Sand Springs

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SAND SPRINGS – Oklahoma State Senator Dan Newberry hosted key officials from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in Senate District 37 on Friday to discuss transportation and infrastructure conditions in Senate District 37, which includes portions of Jenks, Sand Springs and Glenpool.

Senator Newberry welcomed ODOT Director Mike Patterson and members of his staff.  They viewed conditions along Highway 51 near Sand Springs, where residents have expressed concerns about sections of the highway eroding.

“First and foremost, it’s important the state build and maintain safe roads and bridges. Oklahomans depend on the fact they are safe each day as they drive to work and take their children to school,” Senator Newberry said. “A good transportation system is also critical to economic development in Oklahoma. Our businesses need good roads and bridges to quickly and efficiently get their goods and services to their customers.”

Newberry serves on the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“Since I’ve served in the Senate, we’ve made transportation a priority and have provided funding to improve Oklahoma’s roads and bridges. ODOT has done a great job, but it’s important we keep pressing forward and not lose any progress in building up our transportation infrastructure. I appreciate Director Patterson visiting Senate District 37 and hearing about the concerns of local residents. I look forward to working with him and ODOT to address some of the issues along Highway 51.”

The pictured section of Highway 51 is located between Sand Springs and Mannford and has been in various states of closure since last July. Repair work is expected to begin as early as October.

Dallas terror attack causes unity and support for police instead of fear

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

On Thursday, September 7, Dallas Police Officers protecting a group of protesters were the targets of an unconfirmed number of snipers. Deceased gunman Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, of Mesquite, Texas was killed by a bomb squad robot to avoid risking the lives of more officers. Johnson claimed to work alone and also claimed to have planted bombs throughout the city.

State Senator Dan Newberry, who represents Sand Springs and parts of Tulsa, issued a statement Friday calling for prayer in response to the terror attack.

Patrick Zamarripa.

“In moments like these we must all put our differences aside and come together in prayer and support for each other,” said Newberry.

“Domestic terrorism – no matter the motive – must not be allowed to continue in the United States,” said Newberry.  “Our men and women in law enforcement put their lives in danger every day to uphold public safety.  Let’s show our law enforcement officers how much they mean to us today and every day after this. Join me in thanking our men in blue as we pray for the families affected by this senseless act of terrorism.”

Lorne Ahrens.

The Sand Springs Police Department issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and families via Facebook late Thursday night. 

"The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Sand Springs Police Department are with the killed and wounded officers of the Dallas Police Department and their families."

Brent Thompson.

Preliminary reports indicated as many as four shooters, but it was later discovered that Johnson was moving throughout a single building and firing from multiple floors.

There were approximately twenty protesters at the event legally carrying long guns that contributed to the confusion early-on. Three suspects were detained for questioning but released without charges.

At this time Johnson has not been linked to any known terrorist organizations and has no criminal record. He previously served in the U.S. Army Reserve and completed one tour of duty in Afghanistan before receiving an honorable discharge.

Michael Krol.

Five officers were killed and seven others were injured in the ambush. Two civilians were also injured.  Police have said at least ten officers were casualties of sniper fire and two others were shot in a shootout.

Dallas Police Officers Lorne Ahrens, Michael Smith, Michael Krol, and Patrick Zamarripa were all killed in action, as well as Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer Brent Thompson.

Michael J. Smith.

Zamarripa, a 32 year-old father of two, had previously served three tours of duty with the US Navy before fulfilling his lifelong dream of joining the DPD.

Ahrens, 48, was married to a detective on the force, and was a 14-year veteran of the department. The couple has two children under the age of eleven.

Thompson, 43, was a seven-year veteran of the transit force and was just married to a fellow officer two weeks prior to his death.

Krol, 40, was an eight-year veteran of the department with more than a decade of law-enforcement experience.

Smith, 55, spent seven years with the US Army Rangers division before joining the police force in 1989. He and his wife of 17 years have two children under the age of fifteen.

An anonymous Sand Springs resident left this note on Sgt. Kristie Behar’s patrol unit Friday in a show of public support for the City’s finest.

 

City Councilman Brian Jackson sounds off on Senator Dan Newberry

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Incumbent Senator Dan Newberry faced harsh words from City Councilman Brian Jackson at a Chamber of Commerce forum Monday afternoon.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce hosted an open forum Monday for Senate seat 37 candidates. All seven candidates were invited, five attended, but the awkward drama between three of them stole the show. Outgoing Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow is running for the democratic nomination for the seat, and he's found an unusual ally from the other side of the political spectrum. 

Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson is a Republican, but doesn't hesitate to endorse Snow as the best alternative to incumbent Dan Newberry, should Newberry win the Republican nomination. Jackson has even gone so far as to go canvassing with Superintendent Snow. 

Jackson, whose wife is a third-grade teacher, makes it clear that should he be defeated in the Republican primary on June 28th, his campaign won't end there.

"I believe public education is the cornerstone to our democracy, and should be guarded from politicians that want to inflict harm. I do not support any measure such as vouchers that would divert or direct tax dollars away from public education," said Jackson, an obvious jab at Newberry who failed to publicly oppose SB609, which would have redirected funds from public education to private schools. The high-profile bill received major public backlash from the education community before dying in committee. Many District 37 residents expressed frustration that Newberry failed to reply to any emails or phone calls regarding the bill, and never publicly declared his position, should it have been heard on the Senate floor.

Outgoing Superintendent Lloyd Snow will likely carry a large backing from Sand Springs residents with ties to education, but his biggest obstacle to election will be proving his qualifications in non-education fields. 

"Many politicians, including one in this room, will stand behind false over-inflated words that teachers should receive a medal for the work they do. This is merely smoke and mirrors and does not reflect a genuine thought." Jackson also claimed to have overheard Newberry rudely dismiss a Sand Springs educator's concerns on a past trip to the Capitol. "This disrespectful action will not be tolerated and I am honored to not be alone in this race to unseat the disrespectful actions of this politician." 

Newberry has faced a lot of backlash from the education community. Political Action Committee "Oklahomans for Public Education" rated the Senator as "Dangerous" and "Not Supportive of Public Ed" in their most recent list of 2016 candidates. Jackson and Snow, meanwhile, were endorsed as "Pro-Public Education." 

Newberry's not without some high profile supporters, however. Victory Christian Center Pastor Sharon Daugherty, Sand Springs City Councilman Jim Spoon, and former Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce President Mary Eubanks have all starred in promotional videos endorsing the Newberry campaign. Sand Springs Vice-Mayor John Fothergill has also expressed his support via Facebook. 

In defense of Newberry's education record, he did coauthor HB3218 to eliminate End of Instruction Exams, but it was far from a divisive bill. Twenty-seven other senators coauthored on the bill, as did forty-seven house representatives. The legislation cleared the House 95 to 1 and the Senate 45 to 1.

While Newberry faces heavy criticism from the education community, Snow and Jackson face criticism from just about everyone else. Supporters of Newberry have pointed out that while Education is crucial, it is not the only pressing matter for a Senator to deal with. Newberry's challengers have been accused of inadequately addressing the numerous duties a Senator must perform.

"Our state education system, along with other core areas of state government, including transportation, infrastructure, corrections, and mental health, is grossly and recklessly underfunded," said Jackson. That was all he said about the issues before continuing on in his pro-education spiel. 

Superintendent Snow fared about the same when it came to diversifying his platform. "It breaks my heart that we're going to have fifty-one fewer employees in Sand Springs schools next year." Snow failed to touch on anything other than education in his speech.

The Democratic challenger does have his standpoints on some key issues listed on his website. He promises to fix income inequality between equally qualified men and women working the same job. He touches on creating quality jobs and diversifying the state economy, supporting police and firemen, and giving individuals more control over their personal healthcare. Jackson, meanwhile, has no political ideology listed anywhere on his Facebook page or website, except for a brief mention that "illegal aliens-if they want to live here, they need to go through the proper procedures for citizenship." 

"It's not personal with me, it's performance," said Snow. "This past legislature--and I've got good friends there, it's not personal--it was a side-step. It wasn't a step up. Band-aid, band-aid, band-aid. Folks, this budget's gonna fail."

"It's not my ambition and it never was. But I feel an obligation...I may not tell you what you want to hear, but I will always give you 100% every day."