Nominees in Sequoyah County split over offering more tax cuts
House District 2
Incumbent claims people don't recognize his challenger's name.
Nominees in Sequoyah County split over offering more tax cuts

By Ron Jackson

Published: August 2, 2008

SALLISAW — Tax cuts have become an issue in the race for the District 2 seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Democratic incumbent is taking a "pay the bills” stance, while his Republican challenger is promising to push for tax cuts.

Republican Lawrence J. Mann of Muldrow promises the tax cuts in a district that is heavily Democratic and has elected state Rep. Glen Bud Smithson, D-Sallisaw, for the past six years.

Mann thinks his promise to cut taxes will appeal to the hard-working people in his region.

"A lot of families are feeling stress out there,” Mann said. "I feel like cutting taxes would be one way to help the parents in their daily lives. Another way is by strengthening our schools. A lot of schools will be cutting back on trips and such, and parents will be asked more and more to help out by driving students.”

Smithson is more cautious about offering tax breaks.

"I'm about paying my bills,” said Smithson, who was first elected to the House in 2002.

"Given Oklahoma's economics right now, I think we need to make sure all our bills are paid first,” Smithson said. "Then if we have anything left over, we can give that money back to the citizens. If that makes me a liberal, then I guess I'm a liberal.”

Smithson says Oklahoma's future rests in two resources — water and natural gas.

"We need to protect our water in Oklahoma, and protect the quality of the water,” said Smithson, a retired state trooper. "Then I think we need to continue to encourage the drilling for natural gas. More and more vehicles are going to be running on natural gas.

"I believe that's not only an important issue for Oklahoma, but also our nation.”

Smithson cast Mann as a no-name candidate.

"I've never met the man, and I don't know anyone who has met him yet, either,” said Smithson, 59. "So I have no idea what's important to him or not.”

Mann, 44, said there are plenty of people from Sallisaw to Roland and beyond who have heard his political message. Mann also said that it is his conservative stance on issues that will ultimately appeal to constituents.

"I'm a regular guy,” said Mann, who is a medical lab technician. "I'm a conservative Christian, and I believe the people in this district are generally conservative.”

Mann and Smithson will meet in the upcoming Nov. 4 general election.

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