OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus and Cedar Gate Sportsman Club co-hosted a debate for the GOP gubernatorial candidates during the evening of March 30.
2 News Oklahoma attended the debate and streamed it on digital platforms.
Watch the full debate here:
The following candidates attended the debate:
- Chip Keating: Son of former Governor Frank Keating
- Mike Mazzei: Former State Senator
- Charles McCall: Former State House Speaker
- Jake Merrick: Former State Senator
The candidates covered a large array of issues, but 2 News Oklahoma is highlighting three.
WATCH: GOP DEBATE: Candidates gather at history museum in OKC
Education
“Why are kids 50th in literacy? We passed the Mississippi miracle in Oklahoma in 2012, we put more money in public education in 2018, and we’ve come backwards in outcomes,” Keating said.
“I wanna address the administrative bloat. When we have over 500 school districts, 500 superintendents at the top. I would like to look at a county model. Where we have a superintendent per county,” Merrick said.
“We’re gonna mandate phonics in all the reading curriculum. We’re gonna hire the necessary number of reading coaches, specialists, and regional coordinators,” Mazzei said.
“We have problems in education, but it’s not a legislative problem. It’s an executive branch problem. We’ve had two superintendents at the Department of Education that have moved education outcomes backwards,” McCall said.
Flock Cameras
The candidates also discussed FLOCK cameras, or license plate readers across the state.
“I do not, support the automatic license plate readers. I want more cameras on the government, and fewer cameras on the people,” Merrick said.
“No FLOCK cameras. No unauthorized search and seizures,” Mazzei said.
“We shouldn’t have them. Unless the people wanna vote them in. Freedoms and liberties are what make America the best country in the world,” McCall said.
“They are being recklessly, managed right now. Tighten it up. Ask the people if they wanna have this as a public safety tool and not resell your data,” Keating said.
Guns
The highlight of the gun debate came when the moderator asked the candidates whether citizens should have the right to carry firearms into the state capitol and on university grounds.
All the candidates said yes.
Who was not there?
Candidate Gentner Drummond did not attend the debate.
Other GOP candidates who've filed but were not at the debate are:
- Jennifer Domenico-Tillett
- Leisa Mitchell Haynes
- Kenneth Sturgell
Cyndi Munson is the lone Democrat to file to run for the office.
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The filing period is open until April 3rd.
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