In challenge to Sen. Rice, Jantz stresses smaller government themes

By Patrick B. McGuigan

Published: 13-Oct-2010

In what most analysts now say will be a good year for Republicans running in Oklahoma and the nation, Joshua Jantz is the Republican nominee against a popular Democrat who has enjoyed strong support in Oklahoma City Senate District 46.

The district has a liberal voting history, yet Jantz says he is optimistic about his chances. In an interview with CapitolBeatOK, he said, “I am optimistic. This election is about a lot more than Democrats vs. Republicans. It’s really about choosing the future course of our state and nation.”

He continued, “The choice is between electing folks who believe that less is more when it comes to government, that government is there to protect our rights and freedoms, not to regulate us to death over them. Or, the alternative is to choose that we actually need bigger government bureaucracy, more regulation, and more governmental control. I believe that most of the voters in this district still want the less is more, job-creating, freedom enhancing type of government.”

Jantz outlined themes he is stressing against the incumbent: “There are always lots of important issues. We can’t forget the need to improve our schools’ educational quality. We need to reform the system of healthcare to make it more affordable for everyone. We must have an economic structure in place that encourages jobs growth and jobs creation.”

He continued, “Ultimately, … I think the biggest issue in this election is the philosophy of governing. How are going to resolve these needs? I believe that we can best resolve them through free-market enterprise, letting the people of Oklahoma have the freedom to do what they do best, instead of government regulation, control, and take-over. Government should simply provide the stable framework for people to operate successfully within, not take over every aspect involved.”

On his campaign website, Jantz stresses mainstream conservative themes, parting company with some themes Sen. Rice underscored in his interview with CapitolBeatOK.

Jantz supports Arizona’s approach on illegal immigration, and said he believes marriage should be defined in law as between one man and one woman.

Asked to summarize the case for his election on November 3, Jantz said, “The Declaration of Independence states that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights that include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that Government is created to ‘secure’ or protect these rights that are ours.

“Unfortunately, too many elected officials today are doing the opposite: looking for more ways to expand government which results in stripping us of liberty, and dictating to us what our happiness must look like.

“I want to serve to make Oklahoma government more effective in protecting our rights, liberties, and freedoms, so that everyone has opportunity to succeed.”