State seat candidate to focus on his connection with voters
State seat candidate to focus on his connection with voters

By Kristen M. Daum

Published: June 3, 2008

Sand Springs resident Brian Jackson first ran for a state seat two years ago and his opponent was Chris Benge, then the House Appropriations and Budget Committee chairman.

This year, Jackson is running again against Benge, now the Speaker of the House.

Things haven't changed much in the past two years and Oklahomans deserve change, said Jackson, a 25-year-old administrator at Junior Achievement of Oklahoma.

Jackson, a Republican, was still a student at Oklahoma State University when he last ran against Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.

"It's just important to keep in mind that this is a democracy,” Jackson said as he filed his candidacy Monday for House District 68.

Benge beat Jackson in a landslide, 78.4 percent to 21.5 percent, during the 2006 primary elections.

House District 68 covers the southwest Tulsa area and parts of Sand Springs.

Jackson said some of the top issues he wants to tackle are the statewide teacher shortage, poor road conditions and state spending. He was particularly concerned about how lawmakers borrowed money to pay for roads improvements and other projects when they called for a bond issue this past legislative session.

"What kind of example is that to send to the children of Oklahoma, to borrow money for the budget?” Jackson said.

Benge could not be reached for comment Monday.

Jackson said this time he wants to focus on a "personal connection” with voters, which he hopes will win votes.

"Nothing replaces knocking on doors,” he said.

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