Ahead of debate, candidates talk ‘civility’
U.S. Rep. Steve Russell predicted Tuesday that Democratic control of the House would bring about worsening incivility and suggested Democrats want to trash the country.
“I think what you’ll see is an increase in incivility, an increase in lack of respect for the institutions,” Russell told reporters Tuesday before touring an Amazon facility in Oklahoma City. “I’m very concerned about that. I often liken it that we’re either in 1858, where we don’t work it out, or we’rein1958,wherewedo.”
Russell, a Republican, will face Democratic challenger Kendra Horn, of Oklahoma City, on Nov. 6 as the well-funded Horn attempts to ride a national Democratic wave to victory in the 5th District, which includes most of Oklahoma County and all of Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.
“People want us to crawl under a rock and die and quit,” Russell, of Choctaw, said, referring to predictions of a Democratic wave in two weeks. “Well, I’ve got news for them. The momentum that we have is very strong right now. The American public sees that we don’t want people to trash our country and our government and they’re a little leery about turning over the levers of power to people that can’t respect government.”
Horn’s campaign manager, Ward Curtin, said Russell’s health care policies are what’s less than civil.
“What’s uncivil are the broken promises Steve Russell made about keeping protections for preexisting conditions, and then voting to remove them while taking thousands of dollars from big insurance companies at the same time,” Curtin said.
The congressman’s remarks came one day before he and Horn take part in their first, and perhaps only, debate Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Presbyterian Church, 829 NW 13, in Oklahoma City. It is being hosted by NonDoc and streamed live at News9.com.
Asked about the debate, Russell said, “I’m going to continue to stay positive and upbeat.”