The Anadarko Daily News

y
Former Oklahoma AG
May Edmondson announces
01
bid for governor
2017

Page
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)
005 Former Democratic Oklahoma At-
Clip
resized
torney General Drew Edmondson is
109%
jumping into the race for governor
in 2018.
The former four-term attorney
general announced on his website
Monday that he would seek the
Democratic nomination for the
open governor's seat.
Edmondson has scheduled press
conferences in Tulsa and Oklahoma
City to formally launch his cam-
paign.
The 70-year-old Edmondson
sounded a bipartisan tone in his an-
nouncement and touted his record
for taking on foreign corporations,
Wall Street and tobacco companies
during his time as attorney general.
He also criticized the Republican-
controlled Legislature for the cur-
rent budget crisis and catering to
special interests.
Edmondson ran for governor in
2010, but lost a close Democratic
primary race against then-Lt. Gov.
Jari Askins.
He's been in private practice for
the last six years.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 The City Sentinel
May
01
2017
Page
04
Clip
resized
31% om left: State Rep. David Perryman, D-
on and Central Oklahoma Labor Federa-
Walters
Friends
quet were, from left, state Rep. Collin
Robyn Lemon Sellers and Central Okla-
ent Tim OConnor.
he remembered winning the
party nod, only to get my ass
kicked by Henry Bellmon in
the general election.
Walters said he was edu-
cated by union members, and
came to believe his initial po-
sition on right-to-work was
wrong. He shifted to organized
labors side of the debate before
his second run for the states
top job, in 1990. In that latter
campaign, Walters defeated
Republican Bill Price.
Walters pointed to House
Minority Leader Scott Inman,
D-Del City (who was in the au-
dience) and noted he was the
second official candidate for
the party gubernatorial nomi-
nation, noting the previously
announced candidacy of for-
mer state Sen. Connie Johnson
of Oklahoma City. Walters also
gave a shout-out to former At-
torney General Drew Edmond-
son, also at the labor gather-
ing and frequently mentioned
as a possible candidate, say-
ing among those three the par-
ty will have a good standard-
bearer, in the end.
Several awards were pre-
sented at the Labor & Friends
event. Audra Breann Aker-
man, granddaughter of long-
time union man Carlen Leon
continued on page 9
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
Oklahoma Commission honors six
Womens Hall of Fame inductees
By Darla Shelden
City Sentinel Reporter
Last month six leading Okla-
homa women were inducted
into the Oklahoma Womens
Hall of Fame. The annual event
held at the Oklahoma History
Center in Oklahoma City was
sponsored by the Oklahoma
Commission on the Status of
Women.
Honored that evening were:
Linda Cavanaugh, an award
winning newscaster for NBC
affiliate KFOR-TV: Edith Kin-
ney Gaylord, journalist and
newspaper executive; Glen-
da Love, executive director
of Tulsas Ronald McDonald
House (posthumously); Pat
Potts, co-founder of the Com-
munity Resource Development
Foundation; Meg Salyer, Okla-
homa City Ward 6 Council-
woman; and Rhonda Walters,
former Oklahoma First Lady
and president of Oklahoma
Property Investors.
We are honored to induct
these six Oklahoma wom-
en into the Oklahoma Hall of
Fame, said Linda Haneborg,
chair of 2017 Oklahoma Wom-
en Hall of Fame, commissioner
for the OCSW and a 2013 Hall
of Fame inductee. This rec-
ognition is a testament to the
vision and contributions each
of these recipients have made
throughout their lifetime.
A member of the Oklahoma
Broadcasting Hall of Fame and
the Oklahoma Journalism Hall
of Fame, Cavanaugh was recog-
nized as one of the most dis-
tinguished journalists in the
history of the state. Cavana-
ugh was the first female co-an-
chor of the evening newscast
From Dust Bowl to World War, Shortgrass is a
compelling coming-of-age tale, and more
Reviewed by
Patrick B. McGuigan
Western Oklahoma is the pri-
mary setting for Shortgrass
(Tiree OGHMA Creative Me-
dia, 341 pages), but in truth the
at KFOR-TV. In 2016, her se-
ries, Faces of The Bombing,
was honored with the national
Edward R. Murrow Award. In
2015, Cavanaugh and the KFOR-
TV team received a national
Emmy Award for their live cov-
erage of the Moore 2013 torna-
do.
Patrick B. McGuigan, editor
of The City Sentinel newspa-
per said, Linda and I learned
to write better and think hard-
er in our high school years at
Bishop McGuiness. She is still
making a difference.
When Kinney Gaylord
wasnt allowed to join the
Washington Press Club in the
1940s, she and other women
started the Womens National
Press Club, where she served
as its second president. Gay-
lord founded the Inasmuch
Foundation, which has contrib-
uted more than $200 million to
Oklahoma charities that help
women, children and families.
Before her death in 2001, Gay-
lord provided a $500,000 en-
dowment to the University of
Oklahomas School of Journal-
ism to be awarded to deserving
faculty members and students.
Known as the liberal Gay-
lord Edith was a pioneer for
women in journalism, Mc-
Guigan recalls. She was kind
and helpful to me when I ar-
rived at The Oklahoman in
1990. I honor her memory.
Tulsa resident, Glenda Love
received the Community Ex-
cellence Award from the com-
munity-based organization,
Jazz Hall, for her many con-
tributions. She serves on the
board of trustees of OSU-Tul-
sa and the McDonald Corpora-
tion Global Advisory Council.
narratives stage is
the entire chang-
ing world of the
late 1930s and early
1940s. Through the
eyes of Lance Roark
Mennonite farm
boy with German-
Irish ancestry and
family-taught af-
finity for the Plains
Indian peoples (Co-
manche, Cheyenne,
Arapaho and other)
author John J. Dw-
yers novel lays out
the story of story
of those souls who
braved the Dust
Bowl Days, steel-
ing themselves un-
knowingly for the
rigors of world-wide
conflict.
Some real char-
acters make impor-
Love is a passionate advocate
for community projects and
the cultural enrichment for the
Tulsa community.
In a Tulsa World op ed she
wrote, Lets commit, as a unit-
ed community, to overcoming
the challenges of our past and
collectively work towards plan-
ning a better future for every-
one.
Pat Potts is president of the
Potts Family Foundation. She
founded the Oklahoma Cen-
ter for Nonprofits serving as
its president and CEO for more
than 20 years. Founder of the
Oklahoma Womens Coalition,
she also served as president
of the Oklahoma City School
Board, Oklahoma City Beauti-
ful, the Zoo Trust and the So-
ciety of Fund Raising Execu-
tives. Potts was honored as a
Festival of Hope Honoree by
HeartLind, a Door-Opener by
ASTEC Charter Schools, and
the 2012 Woman of the Year
by The Journal Record.
Meg Salyerhas served as the
only woman on the Oklahoma
City Council, Ward 6 for over
eight years. She was honored
with the United Ways John
and Berta Fay Rex Community
Builder Award and the Junior
Leagues Mary Baker Rumsey
Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2003, Salyer was elected the
first woman president of the
Oklahoma City Rotary Club.
She now serves on 20 corporate
and non-profit boards, Salyers
focus remains on improving
the quality of life and expand-
ing opportunities for women,
children and families in Okla-
homa.
Meg Salyer has been a play-
continued on page 7
 Enid News & Eagle

May
Edmondson
02

2017
announces bid
Page
A006
Clip
resized
53%
for governor
OKLAHOMA CITY they raised it ... back to 7
(AP) Drew Edmondson, percent, it would still be
a former prosecutor and below the rates in virtu-
four-term Oklahoma attor- ally every other oil and
ney general from one of gas producing state in the
the states most well-es- nation.
tablished political fami- A supporter of the
lies, announced Monday death penalty and abortion
he will seek the rights for women,
Democratic nom- Edmondson served
ination for gover- for 16 years as the
nor in 2018. states attorney
Touting his general before run-
record for tak- ning for the states
ing on corpora- open governors
tions, Wall Street seat in 2010. He
and big tobacco, lost the Democratic
the 70-year-old primary race
Edmondson for- Drew Edmondson against then-Lt.
mally launched Gov. Jari Askins by
his campaign at the Jazz less than 1 percent.
Hall of Fame in Tulsa. He Edmondson, who raised
expressed a willingness more than $2.7 million
to work with members of for his primary race in
both parties to move the 2010, said he expects a
state forward, but also successful candidate will
criticized the Republican- need to raise about twice
controlled Legislature for that much before the 2018
the current budget crisis election.
and catering to special Edmondson, a Vietnam
interests. veteran, is the son of for-
Theres nothing less mer 10-term U.S. House
important at stake than member Ed Edmondson
the future of Oklahoma, and nephew of J. Howard
Edmondson said. Were Edmondson, a former
not just at the bottom. Oklahoma governor and
Were at the bottom and U.S. senator.
going down. If we want a Edmondsons brother,
future for our children and James Edmondson, was
grandchildren, weve got appointed by Gov. Brad
to do better. Henry to the Oklahoma
Edmondson described a Supreme Court in 2003.
proposed tax hike on cig- Other Democratic can-
arettes as a no-brainer didates running for the
and said he would sup- governors post are House
port an effort to return the Democratic leader Rep.
effective tax rate on oil Scott Inman, former state
and natural gas production Sen. Connie Johnson and
back from 2 percent to retired auto mechanic
closer to 7 percent. Norman Brown.
The oil and gas indus- Republican candidates
try is healthy. They dont include Lt. Gov. Todd
need tax breaks to drill, Lamb and Tulsa attorney
Edmondson said. Even if Gary Richardson.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Guymon Daily Herald
May
02
2017
Page
A002
Clip
resized
56%
Former Oklahoma AG Edmondson
announces bid for governor
By SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Drew
Edmondson, a former prosecutor and
four-term Oklahoma attorney general
from one of the states most well-estab-
lished political families, announced
Monday he will seek the Democratic
nomination for governor in 2018.
Touting his record for taking on cor-
porations, Wall Street and big tobacco,
the 70-year-old Edmondson formally
launched his campaign at the Jazz
Hall of Fame in Tulsa. He expressed a
willingness to work with members of
both parties to move the state forward,
but also criticized the Republican-
controlled Legislature for the current
budget crisis and catering to special
interests.
Theres nothing less important at
stake than the future of Oklahoma,
Edmondson said. Were not just at
the bottom. Were at the bottom and
going down. If we want a future for our
children and grandchildren, weve got
to do better.
Edmondson described a proposed
tax hike on cigarettes as a no-brainer
and said he would support an effort to
return the effective tax rate on oil and
natural gas production back from 2
percent to closer to 7 percent.
The oil and gas industry is healthy.
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
They dont need tax breaks to drill,
Edmondson said. Even if they raised
it ... back to 7 percent, it would still
be below the rates in virtually every
other oil and gas producing state in the
nation.
A supporter of the death penalty and
abortion rights for women, Edmondson
served for 16 years as the states attor-
ney general before running for the
states open governors seat in 2010.
He lost the Democratic primary race
against then Lt. Gov. Jari Askins by
less than 1 percent.
Edmondson, who raised more than
$2.7 million for his primary race in
2010, said he expects a successful can-
didate will need to raise about twice
that much before the 2018 election.
Edmondson, a Vietnam veteran, is
the son of former ten-term U.S. House
member Ed Edmondson and nephew
of J. Howard Edmondson, a former
Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator.
Edmondsons brother, James
Edmondson, was appointed by Gov.
Brad Henry to the Oklahoma Supreme
Court in 2003.
Other Democratic candidates run-
ning for the governors post are House
Democratic leader Rep. Scott Inman,
former state Sen. Connie Johnson and
retired auto mechanic Norman Brown.
Republican candidates include Lt.
Gov. Todd Lamb and Tulsa attorney
Gary Richardson.
 The Lawton Constitution
May
02
2017
Page
A003
Clip
resized
49% Drew Edmondson, a former prosecutor and four-term Oklahoma
attorney general, speaks during a news conference outside the state
Capitol in Oklahoma City, Monday. Edmondson has he will seek the
Democratic nomination for governor in 2018.
Drew Edmondson
to run for governor
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)
Drew Edmondson, a for-
mer prosecutor and four-
term Oklahoma attorney
general from one of the
states most well-estab-
lished political families, an-
nounced Monday he will
seek the Democratic nomi-
nation for governor in 2018.
Touting his record for tak-
ing on corporations, Wall
Street and big tobacco, the
70-year-old Edmondson for-
mally launched his cam-
paign at the Jazz Hall of
Fame in Tulsa. He ex-
pressed a willingness to
work with members of both
parties to move the state
forward, but also criticized
the Republican-controlled
Legislature for the current
budget crisis and catering
to special interests.
Theres nothing less im-
portant at stake than the fu-
ture of Oklahoma, Ed-
mondson said. Were not
just at the bottom. Were at
the bottom and going down.
If we want a future for our
children and grandchildren,
weve got to do better.
Edmondson described a
proposed tax hike on ciga-
rettes as a no-brainer and
said he would support an ef-
fort to return the effective
tax rate on oil and natural
gas production back from 2
percent to closer to 7 per-
cent.
The oil and gas industry
is healthy. They dont need
tax breaks to drill, Ed-
mondson said. Even if they
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
AP
raised it ... back to 7 percent,
it would still be below the
rates in virtually every oth-
er oil and gas producing
state in the nation.
A supporter of the death
penalty and abortion rights
for women, Edmondson
served for 16 years as the
states attorney general be-
fore running for the states
open governors seat in
2010. He lost the Democrat-
ic primary race against
then-Lt. Gov. Jari Askins by
less than 1 percent.
Edmondson, who raised
more than $2.7 million for
his primary race in 2010,
said he expects a successful
candidate will need to raise
about twice that much be-
fore the 2018 election.
Edmondson, a Vietnam
veteran, is the son of former
ten-term U.S. House mem-
ber Ed Edmondson and
nephew of J. Howard Ed-
mondson, a former Okla-
homa governor and U.S.
senator.
Edmondsons brother,
James Edmondson, was ap-
pointed by Gov. Brad Henry
to the Oklahoma Supreme
Court in 2003.
Other Democratic candi-
dates running for the gover-
nors post are House Demo-
cratic leader Rep. Scott In-
man, former state Sen. Con-
nie Johnson and retired auto
mechanic Norman Brown.
Republican candidates in-
clude Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb
and Tulsa attorney Gary R
 Clip
May 2017 Page resized
02 A001 57%

Muskogee Phoenix

Muskogees Edmondson to run for governor

Lawmakers announced his plans to special tax breaks for you create jobs and grow ers, our small business
campaign for the gover- the powerful, Edmond- the economy. owners, our students,
inability to address nors ofce. son said in Speculation and talk our teachers, our schools
VFDOQHHGVZDV In his formal an- his formal about Edmondson mak- are calling for help,
WLSSLQJSRLQW nouncement, Edmondson campaign ing a second gubernato- Edmondson said. Con-
said large corporations announce- rial bid escalated during tinuing down this path
and the wealthy have ment. We the weeks leading up to of failed ideas and tired
By D.E. Smoot prospered at the states need to his announcement on a
Phoenix Staff Writer
rhetoric will not solve
expense. He said it is make sure date chosen for its sym- our problems our peo-
Four-term attorney time for working families working bolic signicance. May- ple are our strength, but
general and Muskogee and Main Street busi- Edmondson families day, he said, is recog- our leaders have failed
native Drew Edmond- ness owners to see their have money nized as a call of distress, us.
son put to rest on Mon- fair share of economic in their pockets that they and thats where we are During a telephone
day weeks of specula- growth. can spend right here in in Oklahoma.
tion when he formally We dont need more Oklahoma that is how Our state, our work- (See RUN, 2A)

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Muskogee Phoenix

Run Edmondson is a Navy

veteran who served Viet-
nam before returning
home to teach speech
Continued from Page 1A and debate at his alma
May mater, Muskogee Cen-
interview Monday after-
02 noon, Edmondson said tral High School. He is
the tipping point for a graduate of Northeast-
his decision to campaign ern State College and
2017 the University of Tulsa
a second time for the
top post in Oklahomas School of Law.
Page During his 16-year
executive branch was
A002 lawmakers apparent tenure as state attorney
Clip inability to address the general, Edmondson took
resized states scal needs. With on out-of-state corporate
57% interests that includ-
only weeks left in this
ed industrial and agri-
From years legislative session, cultural polluters, Wall
A001 Edmondson said it is Street fraudsters and
amazing that lawmak- Big Tobacco. He was one
ers spent much of their of eight attorneys gener-
time ghting rather than al to negotiate a histor-
trying to reach any kind ic agreement with the
of agreement about what tobacco industry, which
needs to be done. led to sweeping national
Please tell me things changes in the industrys
arent going to get any marketing tactics and re-
worse, Edmondson said sulted with a $200 billion
about his response to the settlement paid out to
news coming out of the the states over 25 years.
Oklahoma Capitol this Edmondson then led
year. And then some- the effort to establish
thing else would happen, the Oklahoma Tobacco
and I nally decided I Settlement Endowment
couldnt live with myself Trust, which constitu-
if I didnt try to do some- tionally protected the
thing it was time for most of Oklahomas $2
me to stop playing golf billion share of the to-
for a while and try to x bacco settlement. Estab-
some of these problems. lishing the trust ensured
Edmondson cited as those funds can be spent
assets of his guberna- only on issues related
torial bid his record as to Oklahomans public
attorney general and health.
to a lesser extent as dis- I dont care about your
trict attorney in Musk- political party or who
ogee County. He said you voted for president,
his work as chairman of I care about Oklahoma
the Oklahoma Steward- and Oklahomans, Ed-
ship Council during its mondson said. We didnt
2016 campaign against create this mess, but we
State Question 777, the can and we will x
so-called right to farm it together.
amendment, also should Reach D.E. Smoot at
prove helpful. (918) 684-2901 or ds-
We built a strong or- moot@muskogeephoenix.
ganization ... and actu- com.
ally ipped the polling
on that, Edmondson
said. It was polling two Corrections
to one a year before the and clarifications
election, and we turned The Phoenix tries to
it around and nearly got promptly correct errors. To
a two-to-one win that report an error, please call
was a big one. 684-2900.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 The Oklahoman

Drew Edmondson announces

May
run for Oklahoma governor
02
BY DALE DENWALT
Capitol Bureau
2017 ddenwalt@oklahoman.com

Page Drew Edmondson, a

A004 former state attorney
general and member of
Clip one of the most powerful
resized families in Oklahomas
48% political history, has
announced he will runfor
governor.
Edmondson, a Demo-
crat, served four terms
as Oklahomas attor-
ney general and seemed
to have capped off his
political career with an
unsuccessful bid for gov-
ernor in 2010. But then
last year, Edmondson
led a successful cam-
paign against the Right to
FarmState Question 777,
a constitutional amend-
ment that could have
blocked virtually any new
agriculture regulations. Former Attorney General Drew Edmondson, announces his run for governor during a news con-
That campaign put him ference Monday at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. [PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN]
back on the political map
and back into the minds government right now, nor and a U.S. senator. and damaging river qual-
of Oklahoma voters. said Edmondson, who Drew Edmondsons ity.
After leaving the attor- stood alongside his wife, brother, James, has Edmondson also led the
ney generals office in Linda, and campaign aides. been on the Oklahoma states case against the
2011, Edmondson began Were in crumbles. Were Supreme Court since tobacco industry, which
working in private prac- in shambles. Were in our 2003. resulted in a settlement
tice, now in Oklahoma second year of a massive After serving as a pros- that has led to$1.4 billion
City with the Riggs Abney deficit. The big difference ecutor in northeastern in payments since 1999.
law firm. He was widely is they have a plan to fix Oklahoma, Edmondson His announcement
expected to announce for the building. There is no won election as attorney Monday would put at
governor this year and plan I have seen yet to fix general in 1994. One of least three Democratic
recently said he was con- the structural problems of his most prominent bat- hopefuls on the 2018
sidering a return to elec- state government. tles as attorney general primary election ballot.
toral politics. If he was at the nego- was against chicken farm House Minority Leader
Edmondson, 70, made tiating table now, pollution, a case that is Scott Inman and former
his candidacy announce- Edmondson said he still not settled. state Sen. Connie John-
ment in Tulsa, about an would like Oklahoma to He filed the federal son also have announced
hours drive from his fam- raise the tax rates on cig- lawsuit in 2005, seeking their campaigns.
ilys hometown of Musk- arettes and production of to prohibit the spread- GOP candidates
ogee. He later spoke with oil and gas. ing of chicken waste over include Tulsa attorney
reporters outside the Okla- Edmondsons name land in the northeastern Gary Richardson, who
homa Capitol on Mon- should be familiar to Oklahoma in the Illinois officially launched his
day where he filed his first many Oklahomans. His River Basin. He argued campaign last week, and
campaign documents. father, Ed, served in the that contaminants from Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, who
The scaffolding and all U.S. House of Repre- hundreds of thousands of hasnt yet announced.
that you see at the front of sentatives. His uncle, J. tons of waste generated State Auditor and
the Capitol is symbolic of Howard Edmondson, was by millions of birds were Inspector Gary Jones is
whats happening to state Oklahomas 16th gover- seeping into waterways considering a run.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Clip
May 2017 Page resized
02 0001 73%
The Ponca City News
ing to tweets from Travis
)RUPHU$*7R6HHN2IILFH
O KLAHOMA CITY (AP)
Drew Edmondson, a for-
mer prosecutor and four-term
Oklahoma attorney general
from one of the states most
well-established political
families, announced Monday
he will seek the Democratic
nomination for governor in
2018.
Touting his record for taking
on corporations, Wall Street
and big tobacco, the 70-year-
old Edmondson formally
launched his campaign at the
Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa.
He expressed a willingness
to work with members of both
parties to move the state for-
ward, but also criticized the
Republican-controlled Legis-
lature for the current budget
crisis and catering to special
interests.
Theres nothing less impor-
tant at stake than the future of
Oklahoma, Edmondson said.
Were not just at the bottom.
Were at the bottom and going
down. If we want a future for
our children and grandchil-
dren, weve got to do better.
Edmondson described a pro-
posed tax hike on cigarettes
as a no-brainer and said
he would support an effort to
return the effective tax rate
e on oil and natural gas produc-
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
the front door of the gym. (See STABBINGS, Page 2)
tion back from 2 percent to
closer to 7 percent.
The oil and gas industry is
A supporter of the death
penalty and abortion rights for
women, Edmondson served for
healthy. They dont need tax 16 years as the states attorney
breaks to drill, Edmondson general before running for the
said. Even if they raised it states open governors seat in
... back to 7 percent, it would 2010. He lost the Democratic
still be below the rates in vir- primary race against then Lt.
tually every other oil and gas Gov. Jari Askins by less than
producing state in the nation. 1 percent.
NEWS TODAY
Whats Inside Whats Outside
AT PONCA CITY AIRPORT
HIGHLIGHTS
7 p.m. . . . . . 70 10 p.m. . . . . 59
2 Officer fatally shoots teen as 7 a.m. . . . . . 46 11 a.m. . . . 68
car speeds away. Yesterdays maximum 71
Minimum past 24 hours 46
3 What on Earth might a Trump- Precip 24 hours ending noon
Kim meeting look like? none
Relative humidity 44 percent at
6 All six Lady Cats tennis play-
11 a.m.
ers qulify for state. Max wind velocity 24 mph at
4:53 a.m. today
8 Just what was behind nations
Kaw Lake Level 1,024.53
Civil War? Kaw Lake Discharge 40 cfs
Generating Plant 5,000 cfs
INDEX
Barometric pressure 11 a.m.
Comics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 (Sea level) 30.03 Rising
Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tomorrow
Deaths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sun Rises 6:34 Sets 8:13
 The Shawnee News-Star
STATE NEWS BRIEFS
Former Oklahoma
AG Edmondson
announces bid
for governor
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)
May Drew Edmondson, a for-
mer prosecutor and four-
02 term Oklahoma attorney
general from one of the
states most well-estab-
lished political families,
2017 announced Monday he
will seek the Democratic
nomination for governor
Page in 2018.
Touting his record for
A003 taking on corporations,
Wall Street and big to-
Clip bacco, the 70-year-old
resized Edmondson formally
37% launched his campaign at
the Jazz Hall of Fame in
Tulsa.
He expressed a willing-
ness to work with members
of both parties to move the
state forward, but also crit-
icized the Republican-con-
trolled Legislature for the
current budget crisis and
catering to special inter-
ests.
Theres nothing less
important at stake than
the future of Oklahoma,
Edmondson said. Were
not just at the bottom.
Were at the bottom and
going down. If we want a
future for our children and
grandchildren, weve got to
do better.
Edmondson described a
proposed tax hike on ciga-
rettes as a no-brainer and
said he would support an
effort to return the effective
tax rate on oil and natural
gas production back from
2 percent to closer to 7
percent.
The oil and gas indus-
try is healthy. They dont
need tax breaks to drill,
Edmondson said. Even if
they raised it ... back to 7
percent, it would still be
below the rates in virtually
every other oil and gas pro-
ducing state in the nation.
A supporter of the death
penalty and abortion rights
for women, Edmondson
served for 16 years as the
states attorney general be-
fore running for the states
open governors seat in
2010.
He lost the Democratic
primary race against then
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins by less
than 1 percent.
Edmondson, who raised
more than $2.7 million for
his primary race in 2010,
said he expects a successful
candidate will need to raise
about twice that much be-
fore the 2018 election.
Edmondson, a Vietnam
veteran, is the son of for-
mer ten-term U.S. House
member Ed Edmondson
and nephew of J. How-
ard Edmondson, a former
Oklahoma governor and
U.S. senator.
Edmondsons brother,
James Edmondson, was
appointed by Gov. Brad
Henry to the Oklahoma
Supreme Court in 2003.
Other Democratic can-
didates running for the
governors post are House
Democratic leader Rep.
Scott Inman, former state
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
Sen. Connie Johnson and Another 11-year-old,
retired auto mechanic Nor- Christopher Seaton, died
man Brown.
Republican candidates
LQ WUDIF DIWHU HHLQJ WKH
group home in April 2013.
include Lt. Gov. Todd The home routinely
Lamb and Tulsa attorney informs police about run-
Gary Richardson. aways, and many of the
reports deal with children
Oklahoma AG says who make multiple at-
tempts to leave the facility.
Emergency Price Police records show that
RIFHUV PDGH  VHUYLFH
Stabilization calls to the facility in 2016,
 FDOOV LQ  DQG 
Act in effect calls in 2014.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Department
Oklahoma Attorney of Human Services spokes-
General Mike Hunter says woman Sheree Powell said
the states Emergency Price the home currently houses
Stabilization Act is in ef- more than 20 children,
fect in all 77 counties after including seven set to be
severe storms prompted reunited with their fami-
Gov. Mary Fallins to issue lies. Most of the children
a statewide emergency dec- are ages 10 to 14.
laration. The departments prima-
Hunter said Monday ry goal in placing youth
the price-gouging statute in such group homes is to
prohibits increases of more help them cope with and
than 10 percent for the control emotional issues,
price of goods and services behavioral disorders or
following an emergency other problems through
declaration. It also allows counselling and treatment,
the attorney general to Powell said.
OH FKDUJHV DJDLQVW WKRVH Jackson said the Reala-
engaged in price gouging. tion home has more than
The act will remain in 30 employees.
effect for 30 days after the
governors declaration has
expired. The act is in effect
Oklahoma
for another 180 days for deputies fatally
charges for repairs, remod-
eling and construction. shoot Ark. man
Fallin declared the state TOM, Okla. (AP) Au-
of emergency on Satur- thorities are investigating
day after a storm system after sheriffs deputies fa-
brought heavy rainfall, tally shot an Arkansas man
strong winds and snow to ZKRUHSRUWHGO\RSHQHGUH
the state. The declaration on a sheriff in southeastern
lasts for 30 days. Oklahoma.
Tulsa group home The Oklahoma State Bu-
reau of Investigation says
where 2 children the shooting happened
Sunday near the town of
died in trafc Tom, about 200 miles
southeast of Oklahoma
to close City and near the states
TULSA, Okla. (AP) A borders with Arkansas and
troubled Tulsa group home Texas.
for abused and neglected According to the OSBI,
children is preparing to deputies with the Mc-
close. Curtain County Sheriffs
Mark Jackson, who 2IFHIDWDOO\VKRW\HDU
owns the Realation Group old Devin Hawkins after
+RPHQRWLHGWKH2NODKR- Hawkins pointed a gun and
ma Department of Human UHGRQFHDWWKHVKHULII
Services on Friday that it No one else was injured.
plans to terminate its con- Hawkins was from Fore-
tract and close June 30, the man, Arkansas.
Tulsa World reported. The OSBI says agents
Given the current situa- will conduct a full review
tion, its with a heavy heart and forward a report to
that we just feel it is in our prosecutors, who will de-
best interest to terminate termine whether the shoot-
our contract at this time, LQJZDVMXVWLHG
Jackson said, paraphrasing
from a letter he sent to the
A
department.
The department stopped
placing children at the fa-
cility while it investigated
the death of 11-year-old
Chase Dakota Bridges, who
ran away from the facility
and was fatally struck by a
vehicle in December.
Hasbel
Pest Control
83YEARS
89
90
SAME NAME,
YEARS SAME LOCATION
Quality service at a reasonable price.
1 treatment doesnt always
get rid of termites. The Sha
For No Hassle Retreats annual Gra
Just Call Us
This years
273-7918
an e
 Stillwater NewsPress

May
02

2017
Former Oklahoma AG
Page
A002
Clip
resized
Edmondson announces
bid for governor
101%

Associated Press in Tulsa. He expressed a

willingness to work with
OKLAHOMA CITY members of both parties
Drew Edmondson, a for- to move the state for-
mer prosecutor and four- ward, but also criticized
term Oklahoma attorney the Republican-con-
general from one of the trolled Legislature for
states most well-estab- the current budget crisis
ished political families, and catering to special
announced Monday he interests.
will seek the Democratic Theres nothing less
nomination for governor important at stake than
n 2018. the future of Oklahoma,
Touting his record for Edmondson said. Were
taking on corporations, not just at the bottom.
Wall Street and big to- Were at the bottom and
bacco, the 70-year-old going down. If we want
Edmondson formally a future for our children
aunched his campaign and grandchildren, weve
at the Jazz Hall of Fame got to do better.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 The Journal Record

TUESDAY
May 05.02.2017
02 journalrecord.com
Vol. 122, No. 86
One section
2017 Single copy $1.00

Page
A001
Clip
resized
INSIDE
77% 2
Bill lumps multiple tax hikes
together House Bill 2365
groups together the cigarette
tax, the motor fuel tax and
some tax exemptions for oil
and gas companies.

3
OCU students learn investment
skills while turning a profit
Watching a healthy return on a
$200,000 loan collapse to a slim
prot margin in just a few weeks
taught Oklahoma City University
graduate student John Hobart a
couple of key lessons.

3
Former AG Edmondson
announces bid for governor
Drew Edmondson, a former
prosecutor and four-term
Oklahoma attorney general from
one of the states most well-
established political families,
announced Monday he will seek
the Democratic nomination for
governor in 2018.

32
Judge Clancy: Every day,
you have the opportunity
to do the right thing For
decades, Oklahomans have
used the courts to tackle
injustice, and theyve used the
14th Amendment to do it.

32
Rex Travis wins Journal
Record Award Attorney Rex
Travis is this years winner of
the Journal Record Award,
presented Monday during
the Oklahoma County Bar
Associations annual Law
Day luncheon.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Clip
May 2017 Page resized From
02 A003 72% A001

The Journal Record

Former AG Edmondson announces bid for governor

BY SEAN MURPHY
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY Drew Edmond-
son, a former prosecutor and four-term
Oklahoma attorney general from one of
the states most well-established politi-
cal families, announced Monday he will
seek the Democratic nomination for
governor in 2018.
Touting his record for taking on cor-
porations, Wall Street and big tobacco,
the 70-year-old Edmondson formally
launched his campaign at the Jazz Hall
of Fame in Tulsa. He expressed a willing-
ness to work with members of both par-
ties to move the state forward, but also
criticized the Republican-controlled
Legislature for the current budget crisis
and catering to special interests.
Theres nothing less important at
stake than the future of Oklahoma,
Edmondson said. Were not just at the
bottom. Were at the bottom and going
down. If we want a future for our chil-
dren and grandchildren, weve got to
do better.
Edmondson described a proposed tax
hike on cigarettes as a no-brainer and
said he would support an effort to return
the effective tax rate on oil and natural
Drew Edmondson, a former prosecutor and four-term Oklahoma attorney general,
announces he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018 in Tulsa on
Monday as his wife, Linda, looks on. STEPHEN PINGRY/TULSA WORLD VIA AP
gas production back from 2 percent to
closer to 7 percent.
The oil and gas industry is healthy.
They dont need tax breaks to drill, Ed-
mondson said. Even if they raised it ...
back to 7 percent, it would still be below
the rates in virtually every other oil and
gas producing state in the nation.
A supporter of the death penalty and
abortion rights for women, Edmondson
served for 16 years as the states attor-
ney general before running for the states
open governors seat in 2010. He lost the
Democratic primary race against then Lt.
Gov. Jari Askins by less than 1 percent.
Edmondson, who raised more than
$2.7 million for his primary race in 2010,
said he expects a successful candidate
will need to raise about twice that much
before the 2018 election.
Edmondson, a Vietnam veteran, is
the son of former 10-term U.S. House
member Ed Edmondson and nephew of
J. Howard Edmondson, a former Okla-
homa governor and U.S. senator.
Edmondsons brother, James Edmond-
son, was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry to
the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2003.
Other Democratic candidates run-
ning for the governors post are House
Democratic leader Scott Inman, former
state Sen. Connie Johnson and retired
auto mechanic Norman Brown.
Republican candidates include Lt. Gov.
Todd Lamb, Auditor and Inspector Gary
Jones and Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson.
Rex Lawhorn, a telecommunications
technician from Tulsa, has entered the
race as a Libertarian.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Tulsa World

May
02

2017

Page
A009
Clip
resized
73%

Drew Edmondson announces his

candidacy.STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

Former AG
running for
governor
GFC@K@:J;\dfZiXk;i\n
Edmondson announces he
will try for second time
By Randy Krehbiel
Tulsa World

The past decade has not been

kind to Democratic candidates
in Oklahoma, and that includes
former Oklahoma Attorney Gen-
eral Drew Edmondson.
But, Edmondson said Monday,
voters decisions on four state
questions last November encour-
aged him enough to give a run
for public office one more try.
Not only the defeat of (State
Question) 777, but also some of
the very smart decisions (voters)
made about criminal justice re-
form and the constitutions es-

See Edmondson, page A11

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Tulsa World

Edmondson:
Hes in race
May
for governor
02 From page A9

tablishment clause, Edmondson

after announcing his candidacy
2017 for governor at the Oklahoma Jazz
Hall of Fame.
Edmondson was heavily in-
Page volved in the campaign against
SQ 777, the so-called Right to Farm
A011 amendment, which wound up los-
ing by a large margin. He and other
Clip Democrats were also encouraged
resized by the defeat of a state question
39% that would have repealed a section
of the state constitution forbidding
the use of state assets by religious
From groups, and the passage of two bal-
A009 lot measures dealing with criminal
justice reform.
If that suggested a more liberal
bent to Oklahoma voters, though,
it did not translate to public of-
ce. Democrats continued to lose
ground in the House and Senate
and Hillary Clinton had the worst
showing for a Democratic nominee
in Oklahoma since George McGov-
ern in 1972.
That said, Oklahoma has elected
Democratic governors early in the
rst terms of the last ve Republi-
can presidents, going back to Da-
vid Hall in 1970.
Edmondson, 70, served four
terms as attorney general before
an unsuccessful campaign for gov-
ernor in 2010.
Some thought that would be his
last campaign, but Edmondson
said he couldnt sit still.
I got a little embarrassed I
wasnt doing enough to correct the
situation, he said Monday.
Edmondson said the Republi-
can-led Legislature has essentially
sold out to the oil and gas industry
and other special interests. He said
one of the states largest energy
companies paid an effective corpo-
rate tax rate of 0.3 percent on $21
billion in earnings.
Theyre not breaking the law,
he said. Theyre following the law
they bought and paid for.
Oklahoma is going to be a bat-
tleground state in 2018, Edmond-
son said. Not in terms of national
politics, but because it will be a
battle for our future.
Edmondson is the fourth Dem-
ocrat to enter the race, joining
House Minority Leader Scott In-
man, D-Del City, former state Sen.
Connie Johnson of Forest Park and
Norman Jay Brown, a disabled auto
mechanic from Oklahoma City.
As many as seven candidates are
thought possible in the Republican
eld, although only two Tulsa
attorney Gary Richardson and
Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb have regis-
tered campaign committees with
the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.
Other possibilities include state
Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones,
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cor-
nett and Gateway Mortgage execu-
tive Kevin Stitt.

Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365

randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
Twitter: @rkrehbiel

World Capitol Bureau Chief Barbara

Hoberock contributed to this story.

TULSAWORLDTV.COM
Drew Edmondson announces his candi-
dacy for governor.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 The Edmond Sun

Drew
Edmondson
May announces
03

2017
run for
Page
governor
A001 Says people are our
Clip strength, but state
resized
40% leadership has failed
TULSA Oklahoma isnt bro-
ken, were just broke.
With a belief in the resiliency of
its people and a pledge to stand up
for working families, Drew
Edmondson today announced his
campaign for governor of
Oklahoma.
Edmondson said large corpora-
tions and the wealthy have pros-
pered, and its time working fami-
lies and small main street busi-
nesses get their fair share.
We dont need more special tax
breaks for the powerful,
Edmondson said. We need to
make sure working families have
money in their pockets that they
can spend right here in Oklahoma.
That is how you create jobs and
grow the economy.
Edmondson said a new direction
is necessary so that Oklahoma can
be the place people want to live,
work and raise a family. Good jobs
and great schools should be the
norm in our state.
The symbolism of todays date
is significant, Edmondson said.
Mayday is a recognized distress
call, and thats where we are in
Oklahoma. Our state, our workers,
our small business owners, our
students, our teachers, our schools
are calling for help. Continuing
down this path of failed ideas and
tired rhetoric will not solve our
problems. Our people are our
strength, but our leaders have
failed us.
We cannot continue down this
path, Edmondson said. We dont
need another four years with lead-
ers who are so caught up in the
demands of corporate lobbyist that
they cant see the real issues facing
real Oklahomans. We cant survive
another four years of willful bank-
ruptcy.
A Navy veteran who served our
country in Vietnam, Edmondsons
first job upon leaving the military
was teaching speech and debate at
his alma mater, Muskogee Central
High School. Drew and his wife,
Linda, a retired medical social
worker, will celebrate their 50th
wedding anniversary in June. They
are proud parents to their daugh-
ter, Mary, and son-in-law, Mike,
and their son, Robert, and daugh-
ter-in-law, Andrea. Drew and Linda

SEE EDMONDSON | A3

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 Clip
May 2017 Page resized
03 A003 100%

The Edmond Sun

PHOTO PROVIDED
Coming off a visit last week to the University of Central Oklahoma campus to attend
the Journalism Hall of Fame luncheon, Drew Edmondson has announced his candida-
cy for governor of Oklahoma.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 The Edmond Sun

EDMONDSON: Helped establish Oklahomas TSET

FROM PAGE A1

have two grandchildren,

May twins Andrew and
03 Catherine.
Edmondson is a gradu-
2017 ate of Northeastern State
College and the University
of Tulsa School of Law. He
Page is a former district attor-
A003 ney and served four terms
as Oklahomas attorney
Clip
resized general.
50% Edmondson stood up
against out-of-state cor-
From porate interests on many
A003 occasions, including
fighting industrial and
agricultural polluters, Wall
Street fraudsters and big
tobacco. Just last fall,
Edmondson led the
Oklahoma Stewardship
Councils successful
opposition to State
Question 777, an effort by
multinational corporate
agriculture entities to
enact sweeping constitu-
tional protections for
industrial agricultural
facilities.
As attorney general,
Edmondson was one of
eight attorneys general to
negotiate a historic agree-
ment with the big tobacco
industry that led to
sweeping national
changes in the industrys
marketing tactics, out-
lawed marketing to chil-
dren and resulted in a set-
tlement that will force the
industry to pay $200 bil-
lion to the states over 25
years. Oklahomas share of
this settlement is $2 bil-
lion. Edmondson then led
the effort to establish the
Oklahoma Tobacco
Settlement Endowment
Trust, which constitution-
ally protected the vast
majority of Oklahomas
settlement dollars and
ensured those funds can
only be spent on issues of
Oklahomans public
health. The Trust balance
PHOTO PROVIDED
Coming off a visit last week to the University of Central Oklahoma campus to attend
the Journalism Hall of Fame luncheon, Drew Edmondson has announced his candida-
cy for governor of Oklahoma.
stands at more than $1 political party or who you Oklahomans. We didnt
billion. voted for president, create this mess, but we
As part of an agreement Edmondson said. I care can and we will fix it,
with Southwestern Bell, about Oklahoma and together.
Edmondson successfully
advocated for the creation
of the Oklahoma
Educational Technology
James Elmer Warren
Trust, which so far has James Elmer is scheduled for
placed more than $12 Warren Jim of Thursday, May 4, 2017
million in technology Edmond, Okla., passed at 10:30 a.m. at Sooner
equipment and training away Wed., April 26, Baptist Church,
2017 at the age of 80. 5824 SE 15th Street,
in Oklahoma public
A memorial service Midwest City, OK.
schools.
We wanted to create
these funding sources for
Oklahomans, for students
and for schools and to
protect them for
Dr. Sheldon L. Buxton
decades, Edmondson Dr. Sheldon L. 3, 2017 at First Baptist
said. Theres not much Buxton, 67, of Sallisaw, Church in Sallisaw
working correctly in state Okla. passed away under the direction of
government today, but April 27, 2017 in Agent Mallory Martin
those two funds certainly Springeld, Mo. Funeral Home in
Funeral service is 2 Sallisaw.
are. Thats the kind of gov- p.m. Wednesday, May
ernor Ill be. Ill fight for
Oklahomans not large
corporations. I wont be
looking toward the next
election. Ill be working
for the next generation.
I dont care about your

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
 The Hinton Record
Drew Edmondson Announces
May
03
Run for Governor
2017 TULSA, OKLA. May 1,
2017 Oklahoma isnt broken,
Page were just broke.
A002 With a belief in the resiliency
of its people and a pledge to
Clip stand up for working families,
resized
57% Drew Edmondson today
announced his campaign for
governor of Oklahoma.
Edmondson said large corpo-
rations and the wealthy have
prospered, and its time working
families and small main street
businesses get their fair share.
We dont need more special
tax breaks for the powerful,
Edmondson said. We need to
make sure working families
have money in their pockets that
they can spend right here in
Oklahoma. That is how you cre-
ate jobs and grow the econo-
my.
Edmondson said a new direc-
tion is necessary so that
Oklahoma can be the place peo-
ple want to live, work and raise
a family. Good jobs and great
schools should be the norm in
our state.
The symbolism of todays
date is significant, Edmondson
said. Mayday is a recognized
distress call, and thats where we
are in Oklahoma. Our state, our
workers, our small business
owners, our students, our teach-
ton Record
hed in 1902
n, Oklahoma 73047-0959
246-220)
116 Main, Hinton, Oklahoma
st Office at Hinton, Oklahoma as
ct of Congress, June 16, 1879.
ges to The Hinton Record, PO Box
rates are as follows:
ma $37.00
n USA $43.00
C I f
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
ers, our schools are calling for
help. Continuing down this path
of failed ideas and tired rhetoric
will not solve our problems. Our
people are our strength, but our
leaders have failed us.
We cannot continue down
this path, Edmondson said.
We dont need another four
years with leaders who are so
caught up in the demands of
corporate lobbyist that they cant
see the real issues facing real
Oklahomans. We cant survive
another four years of willful
bankruptcy.
A Navy veteran who served
our country in Vietnam,
Edmondsons first job upon
leaving the military was teach-
ing speech and debate at his
alma mater, Muskogee Central
High School. Drew and his wife,
Linda, a retired medical social
worker, will celebrate their 50th
wedding anniversary in June.
They are proud parents to their
daughter, Mary, and son-in-law,
Mike, and their son, Robert, and
daughter-in-law, Andrea. Drew
and Linda have two grandchil-
dren, twins Andrew and
Catherine.
Edmondson is a graduate of
Northeastern State College and
the University of Tulsa School
of Law. He is a former district
attorney and served four terms
as Oklahomas attorney general.
Edmondson stood up against
out-of-state corporate interests
on many occasions, including
fighting industrial and agricul-
tural polluters, Wall Street
fraudsters and big tobacco. Just
last fall, Edmondson led the
Oklahoma Stewardship
Councils successful opposition
to State Question 777, an effort
by multinational corporate agri-
culture entities to enact sweep-
ing constitutional protections
for industrial agricultural facili-
ties.
y gy
As attorney general,
Edmondson was one of eight
attorneys general to negotiate a
historic agreement with the big
tobacco industry that led to
sweeping national changes in
the industrys marketing tactics,
outlawed marketing to children
and resulted in a settlement that
will force the industry to pay
$200 billion to the states over
25 years. Oklahomas share of
this settlement is $2 billion.
Edmondson then led the effort
to establish the Oklahoma
Tobacco Settlement
Endowment Trust, which con-
stitutionally protected the vast
majority of Oklahomas settle-
ment dollars and ensured those
funds can only be spent on
issues of Oklahomans public
health. The Trust balance stands
at more than $1 billion.
As part of an agreement with
Southwestern Bell, Edmondson
successfully advocated for the f
creation of the Oklahoma
Educational Technology Trust,
which so far has placed more
than $12 million in technology
equipment and training in
Oklahoma public schools.
We wanted to create these
funding sources for
Oklahomans, for students and
for schools and to protect them
for decades, Edmondson said.
Theres not much working cor-
rectly in state government
today, but those two funds cer-
tainly are. Thats the kind of
governor Ill be. Ill fight for
Oklahomans not large corpora-
tions. I wont be looking toward
the next election. Ill be working
for the next generation.
I dont care about your polit-
ical party or who you voted for
president, Edmondson said. I
care about Oklahoma and
Oklahomans. We didnt create
this mess, but we can and we
will fix it, together.
 McAlester News-Capital

May
03 Edmondson to run for governor
By D.E. SMOOT
2017 CNHI NEWS OKLAHOMA

MUSKOGEE Four-term attorney gen-

Page eral and Muskogee native Drew Ed-
A005 mondson put to rest on Monday weeks of
Clip
speculation when he formally announced
resized his plans to campaign for the governors
50% office.
In his formal announcement, Edmond-
son said large corporations and the
wealthy have prospered at the states ex-
pense. He said it is time for working
families and Main Street business own-
ers to see their fair share of economic
growth.
We dont need more special tax breaks
for the powerful, Edmondson said in his
formal campaign announcement. We
need to make sure working families have
money in their pockets that they can
spend right here in Oklahoma that is
how you create jobs and grow the econo-
my.
Speculation and talk about Edmond-
son making a second gubernatorial bid
escalated during the weeks leading up to
his announcement on a date chosen for
its symbolic significance. Mayday, he
said, is recognized as a call of distress,
and thats where we are in Oklahoma.
Our state, our workers, our small busi-
ness owners, our students, our teachers,
our schools are calling for help, Ed-
mondson said. Continuing down this
path of failed ideas and tired rhetoric will
not solve our problems our people are
our strength, but our leaders have failed
us.
During a telephone interview Monday
afternoon, Edmondson said the tipping
point for his decision to campaign a
second time for the top post in Oklaho-
mas executive branch was lawmakers
apparent inability to address the states
fiscal needs. With only weeks left in this
years legislative session, Edmondson
said it is amazing that lawmakers spent
much of their time fighting rather than
trying to reach any kind of agreement
about what needs to be done.
Please tell me things arent going to
get any worse, Edmondson said about
his response to the news coming out of
the Oklahoma Capitol this year. And
DREW EDMONDSON, a former prosecutor and four-term Oklahoma attorney
general, speaks during a news conference outside the state Capitol in
Oklahoma City, Monday. Edmondson has he will seek the Democratic
nomination for governor in 2018.
then something else would happen, and I
finally decided I couldnt live with myself
if I didnt try to do something it was
time for me to stop playing golf for a
while and try to fix some of these prob-
lems.
Edmondson cited as assets of his gu-
bernatorial bid his record as attorney
general and to a lesser extent as district
attorney in Muskogee County. He said
his work as chairman of the Oklahoma
Stewardship Council during its 2016
campaign against State Question 777, the
so-called right to farm amendment, also
should prove helpful.
We built a strong organization ... and
actually flipped the polling on that, Ed-
mondson said. It was polling two to one
a year before the election, and we turned
it around and nearly got a two-to-one win
that was a big one.
Edmondson is a Navy veteran who
served Vietnam before returning home to
teach speech and debate at his alma ma-
ter, Muskogee Central High School. He is
a graduate of Northeastern State College
and the University of Tulsa School of
SUE OGROCKI | AP Photo
Law.
During his 16-year tenure as state at-
torney general, Edmondson took on out-
of-state corporate interests that included
industrial and agricultural polluters, Wall
Street fraudsters and Big Tobacco. He
was one of eight attorneys general to ne-
gotiate a historic agreement with the to-
bacco industry, which led to sweeping
national changes in the industrys mar-
keting tactics and resulted with a $200
billion settlement paid out to the states
over 25 years.
Edmondson then led the effort to es-
tablish the Oklahoma Tobacco Settle-
ment Endowment Trust, which constitu-
tionally protected the most of Oklaho-
mas $2 billion share of the tobacco set-
tlement. Establishing the trust ensured
those funds can be spent only on issues
related to Oklahomans public health.
I dont care about your political party
or who you voted for president, I care
about Oklahoma and Oklahomans, Ed-
mondson said. We didnt create this
mess, but we can and we will fix it
together.

Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.