Volunteer challenges incumbent Elections: House candidates talk school reform Representative calls himself conservative, opponent disagrees. Volunteer challenges incumbent in Oklahoma House District 13 race
Debbie Lienhart, 49, is a Haskell Republican. She and her husband, Victor, have lived on a small cattle ranch in western Muskogee County since 1981.
They attend St. Joseph Church in Muskogee.
Lienhart is not employed but volunteers with several charities. Her past work experience is in advertising and travel.
She said her decision to run for office came after "careful prayer and consideration.”
"I decided to run for the seat because I believe that our conservative district needs conservative representation,” she said. "I would like people to know that I would like to reform education on the administrative level and consolidate school districts.”
McPeak, 61, is seeking his third term as District 13 representative.
He and his wife Veda have four children.
McPeak has bachelor's and master's degrees in science, and his work experience includes teaching psychology and agriculture classes at Connors State College and raising show cattle.
He has run Be a Champ Camps for the past 27 years.
A former school board member, McPeak is an avid supporter of public education. He considers himself a conservative Democrat.
"If someone is more conservative than I am, they're radical,” he said.
McPeak said if he is re-elected, he will continue to represent his district using common sense.
"I said I'd do what's right, and I've done that,” he said. "I simply look at the issue, look at the facts and make a decision. Unfortunately, I think we make too many laws based on emotionalism.”
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House District 13
•Democrat: Jerry McPeak, 61, Warner.
•Republican: Debbie Lienhart, 49, Haskell.
•District: Muskogee County and part of Wagoner County.
•Voters: 13,310 Democrats; 4,990 Republicans; 2,322 Independents.
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