3 vie to lead state’s Democratic party

Most Oklahoma Democrats are holding county meetings Saturday, one of the steps in choosing delegates that will eventually head to the state convention in May, tasked with voting for a state party chair.

Three candidates have announced their desire for the position, each promising to lead the Democratic Party forward and vowing to help orchestrate one of the largest political rebuild projects in the nation.

“Our numbers keep declining and declining,” said Mark Henricksen, 62, an Oklahoma City attorney running for the state chair position. “Some would say it’s because we haven’t adequately conveyed a conservative message that resonates with Oklahoma voters. But my own view is we haven’t presented a true contrast to Republicans. Those who want to vote conservative say they will vote for Republicans and go with the real thing. Those that want to vote progressive say, ‘why would I waste the gas to go stand in line if there is no difference between the two?’”

Mark Hammons, 66, who also practices law in Oklahoma City, is the current state chair and is seeking re-election. Campaign manager Anna Langthorn, 24, is also seeking the seat.

All three candidates told they see a challenging road to expanding a party that once dominated state politics.

But each demonstrate some unique viewpoints that present Democratic delegates varying options on how to achieve the goal of political prominence.

“The functionality of the party is where I think we are struggling,” Langthorn said. “Simple things like answering the phone or returning calls or having a dynamic and engaging website.”

Langthorn said she doesn’t believe the party has to temper its progressive message, but believes organization and messaging has been lacking.

Hammons, who was elected chair in 2015, said despite poor election results in 2016, the state party has laid a foundation to build on.

“In 2014, which should have been a good year for us because it was a midterm election at the national level, we only had 53 Democrats file for state races, but there are 101 House seats for heaven’s sake,” Hammon said. “You can’t claim to be a viable party if you file in only half of the House races. But we had a much better showing in 2016 and we will have Democrats in virtually every Legislative race in 2018.”

Most Oklahoma Democrats were under no illusion the November 2016 election would see a wave of victories for their party. But after another year when a Republican Legislature oversaw budget cuts that led to teacher layoffs and closed hospitals, there was some optimism that the minority party could make inroads against a Republican party that was in control of the Senate, House and every statewide seat.

But election night came as another thud for Democrats as their legislative numbers continued to shrink. They picked up a couple seats in the transitioning urban center of Oklahoma City, but lost seats in southeast Oklahoma, a once-Democratic stronghold that continued to shift deep red.

The Washington Post even listed Oklahoma as one of 10 states where the Democratic party was on life support.

But Henricksen said he’s become optimistic over growing crowds at union meetings, party events and the turnout at a woman’s march the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

“I think there is an unmet demand for progressive politics in Oklahoma,” Henricksen said. “I think what unites us is income inequality and a belief that core state services are not being funded.”

Democratic candidates for statewide office in 2018 will no doubt build a campaign on the state government’s tough budget outlook, looking to grow support among those frustrated by school funding cuts, overcrowded prisons and a depletion of health services.

But economic policies might only go so far in a state where the electorate is deeply religious and supportive of socially conservative principles.

Henricksen said he doesn’t see a need to compromise on issues of proabortion rights, LGBTQ equality and marijuana legalization.

“I have not become a Democrat in order to be silent on any of these issues,” Hendricksen said.

Chair candidates have been lobbying to potential delegates who are being selected by county chapters this week, followed by district meetings in April. The state convention on May 20 will include the state chair vote.

Langthorn said she sees this time in the party as one for gearing up for the 2018 elections and laying the foundation for electoral success.

“It’s not even just about winning a statewide (seat), it’s really about winning enough seats in the Legislature to get some things done or stop some things,” Langthorn said.

Drawing on her history as a campaign manager, Langthorn said she wanted to see the party push hard in the coming months in recruiting candidates and she’s hopeful an effort for independent redistricting in 2020 will be successful.

“This is the year where we turn conversations into action,” Langthorn said. “We are fighting 20 years of mistakes but I think we can do it, which is why I’m running.”