Oklahoma Senate: Randy Brogdon says he’s the most conservative of all


OKLAHOMA CITY – Former state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, is a long-shot candidate in the Republican primary contest to replace U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, who is leaving office two years before the end of his term.

Despite polls indicating he will finish a distant third in the primary on June 24, Brogdon and his band of ardent supporters remind everyone that he ran stronger than expected in his 2010 gubernatorial primary challenge of Mary Fallin.

Brogdon says, “There are differences between my opponents and me. My conservative record in the Legislature was 90 percent.” Pointing to analyses of his opponents’ records, he contends they are, at best, not as “right” as he is.

He told Oklahoma Watchdog this week, “At our debates there is a litany. We all spout the rhetoric, we all talk about the same things. But I’m the guy who will fight. The budget has been raised each of the last three years. I will fight that.”

Brogdon points to three major issues. First, “The debt is pushing $18 trillion. It’s destroying our economy and out kids’ future.

Second, pushing back on the overreach of the federal government, which I’ve been fighting for the last decade. The IRS abuses its power, and the government spends and taxes. We have to put the federal government back in check. My goal is to challenge the status quo.

Third, on the federal budget, we have a bloated, rotten budget with unconstitutional spending. My analysis shows that if spending were limited to constitutional purposes right now, it would be $800 million instead of 4.5 trillion  — with one-fourth of that borrowed.

Why you and not them?

He both of the front-runners. Of former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, he notes that despite a generally conservative record, he “sponsored legislation on the Indian Cultural museum (a $40 million expenditure for a project long overdue and over-budget), and would have supported $300 million in more debt” in 2013.

As a state senator for ?? years, Brogdon was a consistent and persistent conservative. He says, “I actually did the things I said I’d do.

I support transparency and have consistently done so. I supported and enacted term limits for Oklahoma state officials. Gone are the days when a state official could stay in the same office 15 to 20 years; and I’m the reason those days are gone.”

Continuing his advocacy of constitutional conservatism, Brogdon said, “When you talk about property rights, I prevented construction of the NAFTA super-highway and when it comes to protecting privacy I pushed on the Real I.D. Act of 2005.”

Brogdon dismissed the polls and the pundits, continuing, “My campaign is pure and true grass roots. I am working all the time. There’s a difference between sayin’ it and doin’ it.

“A big hefty wave of advertising can make you look good but it can’t change your record. My record is better than theirs.

In another jab at Shannon, Brogdon added, “I’ve never missed 80 percent of the votes in any legislative session. I am a seasoned fighter, someone who will walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”

Brogdon, Shannon, Lankford and four others are contending in next week’s primary. If no candidate gets a majority of the votes cast, the nominee will be selected in a August 26 runoff.

Waiting in the wings will be the winner of the Democratic primary process, most likely state Sen. Constance Johnson of Oklahoma City.

You may contact Pat at pmcguigan@watchdog.org