Political newcomers focus on rural issues
Economic progress, health care cited as key in state House District 59 race.
Political newcomers for Oklahoma state House District 59 focus on rural issues

By Michael McNutt

Published: September 14, 2008

KINGFISHER — Two first-time political candidates are vying for the House District 59 seat, and they said helping the rural areas of their district is a major reason they are running.

Donald Russell of Hennessey said he'd like to see legislators take action to help financially struggling rural ambulances and to provide accessible health care for rural areas.

Mike Sanders of Kingfisher said improving roads and bridges, and health care accessibility are his priorities.

Russell was the only Democrat to file for the post.

Sanders was one of three Republicans.

Both candidates are hoping to succeed Rep. Robert Johnson, R-Kingfisher, who didn't seek re-election so he could run for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Russell, who raises cattle, has worked in the oil field and in construction and agriculture.

"Health care is a big issue for me,” Russell said.

The Insure Oklahoma program is enrolling about 1,000 uninsured Oklahomans each month, but Russell, who doesn't have health coverage, said more should be done to promote the state-sponsored insurance assistance program.

Russell said he's concerned about keeping hospitals open and ambulance services running in rural areas.

"The public is actually raising money with cake sales to fund ambulance and fire services,” he said. "It can be the difference in life and death when you're 40, 50 miles from the hospital.”

Finding jobs in the rural areas of his district is another concern, Russell said.

Some areas are benefiting from the oil and gas industry, "but if and when the oil fields take a fall, we're going to be looking at really some hard times, I'm afraid,” he said.

Sanders, who is in the mortuary business, said that he also is concerned about rural health care.

"We need to make sure that our docs keep their doors open and our hospitals remain open,” he said. "It's essential.”

Kingfisher and Woodward have made strides in helping their economies, but the smaller towns need help, he said.

"We need to keep these towns vibrant and the schools open,” he said. "When a school closes, a town dries up.”

Sanders said that developing alternative energy sources, such as wind power or biodiesel, could be a viable option to bring jobs to rural towns within his district.

Town and civic leaders also should be sought for suggestions, he said.

"What works in Okeene may not work in Watonga,” he said.

Sanders said reforming workers' compensation and lawsuit laws also are necessary ingredients to make rural areas and the state more attractive to businesses.

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