By Wally Kennedy
Globe Staff Writer
—
U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, a Blue Dog Democrat from Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District, is being challenged in Tuesday’s primary by Democrat Jim Wilson, a progressive state senator from Tahlequah.
Wilson, a longtime proponent of health-care reform, said Boren’s opposition to the federal health care bill is what prompted him to run. Boren was one of 34 Democrats in the U.S. House who opposed health-care reform.
Boren said he voted against the bill because it cost too much money. Wilson said the federal government was forced to step in and that cost savings will offset the additional cost of the reforms.
On the Republican side, six candidates are seeking the nomination. They are Daniel Arnett, Henryetta; Chester Falling, Chelsea; Daniel E. Edmonds, Morris; Howard Wayne Houchen, Hugo; Charles Leroy Thompson Jr., Hulbert; and Raymond Wickson, Okmulgee.
Boren, 37, of Muskogee, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 after serving two years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He is the son of David Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma, and former Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator. He received a bachelor of science degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Oklahoma.
Boren said he is seeking re-election because “this is a critical time in our country with the economy the way it is. I think it is important for the voters to have someone who has a broad range of experiences to tackle these problems.
“I want to build upon our successes,’’ he said. “What’s more important is having someone who votes their district. I have been in line with the thinking of the people of this district on the major pieces of legislation.’’
Boren said his vote to oppose health-care reform reflects that.
Wilson, 63, a Marine veteran who served in the Vietnam War, grew up in Wisconsin and Oklahoma. He received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics in 1971 from Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. He worked eight years for the Oklahoma Crime Commission during which he implemented a statewide computer system to assist state and local law enforcement.
Wilson said, “My opponent has not pleased most of us Democrats, particularly his health care vote. I have been working for 10 years to improve the level of health care in rural Oklahoma and my opponent had a once in a generation vote to do something about it and he blew it.”
Wilson said he is the first strong primary opponent Boren has had to face since being elected to Congress. He said Boren’s conservative stance makes it difficult for him to be challenged in a state with a strong Republican presence in Congress.
“The fact he is playing to Democrats and moderate Republicans will make it difficult for him to be challenged in the primary,’’ Wilson said. “But the Democrats who go to meetings and are involved in the Party, they are supporting me. After six years of him posing as a Democrat, when he really is a Republican, well, they have had enough.’’
Republicans
Arnett, 26, of Henryetta, is an attorney who received a bachelor of science degree in history and political science from Oklahoma Christian University. He received his law degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He is seeking election to his first elective office.
“I got into this race because I believe we do not have adequate representation in the 2nd District,’’ said Arnett.
“I am concerned that this next generation is going to have the foot the bill that is going on now in Congress. They are creating a lot of debt that someone will have to foot the bill for eventually,’’ he said.
Falling, 56, of Chelsea, works for a company that manufactures submersible oil and water pumps. He grew up in Claremore and attended schools there. After attending Claremore Junior College for two years, he received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University. He is seeking election to his first elective office.
“I don’t like the way things are going in this country,’’ said Falling. “If we can’t elect somebody who can change a few things, I decided to see if I can change a few things in Washington, D.C.
“Boren should not have voted on the TARP bill and all of that money being borrowed from the Chinese,’’ he said. “And there’s the medical bill they passed and the way it was done. Most of them did not read it and just passed it on through.’’
Edmonds, 26, of Morris, received a bachelor of science degree and a master’s degree in plant and soil sciences from Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. He is working toward completion of his doctoral degree. He is part of a large family farming and ranching operation.
Edmonds said, “I felt a call to campaign for this office because we are seeing the effects of a liberal Congress like we have never seen before. I want to offer the 2nd District a true conservative voice in this election.’’
Houchen, 44, a native of Hugo, received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma. He earned a master’s degree in national security studies in 2004 from the American Military University. He is operations manager of All American Garage Doors. He has served on the Hugo City Council.
Houchen said, “I am running because of my background and my work ethic. I have experience with a successful small business and I have international experience from working overseas. Those qualities differentiate me from the other candidates.
“I am a constitutional conservative. That’s my belief. That’s what I am.’’
Thompson, 47, of Hulbert, is a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. He spent five years in private clinical practice. He is a retired from the U.S. Army Reserves, who served 25 years, including a stint in the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. He also served with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard ceremonial and escort unit that serves the president. He was deployed to Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a member of the Hulbert Board of Education.
“I am running for the office as a continued service to the country,’’ Thompson said. “I think that where this country is headed is in completely the wrong direction. We’re spending money we don’t have that will bankrupt this nation and not let our children have the freedoms we now have.’’
Wickson, 57, of Okmulgee, unsuccessfully challenged Boren as the Republican nominee in 2008. According to his website, Wickson believes citizens should be free of excessive regulation and that the country needs to secure its border and deport illegal aliens. He opposes the federal bailout bill.
Wickson could not be reached for comment.
The district takes in 24 counties along the eastern border of Oklahoma.
