Oklahoma’s gay senator wins runoff in bid for U.S. Congress
by Rob Howard & Robin Dorner
Gayly Editorial Staff
State Senator Al McAffrey defied the odds in Tuesday’s runoff election, and won the Democratic Party nomination for Congress in Oklahoma’s Fifth District against retired professor Tom Guild.
The openly gay senator said when he entered the campaign for the seat being vacated by Rep. James Lankford that he’s in the race not because it’s about political parties or bipartisanship, but rather that it is about our friends and neighbors.
He continued that theme in his remarks after the election was called in his favor. “We actually went out with a ground team like we did when I first ran for [the state] House of Representatives, and we visited with people.”
Guild sees McAffrey’s win much differently.
“As I have said, I am very disappointed in the tactics the McAffrey camp used, including that I was still a Republican; that news was 30 years old,” said Guild as he spoke to supporters about the lacking 46 percent vote he garnered.
“At least we never went negative - I can say that,” added Guild. “I never talked about the fact that Senator McAffrey voted for tax cuts for oil companies and that he missed the vote on the floor for minimum wage.”
McAffrey will oppose the Republican nominee, Steve Russell. He acknowledged that he’s considered the underdog in the race saying, “We know we’re the underdog, we know that it’s a battle. That’s okay. Because we can do the same thing. Oklahomans need a voice in Washington, a fair voice, one that listens to them. I’ve been that way in the House, and I’m that way as a Senator, and I will continue to be that way.”
When McAffrey announced he was seeking the post, he said, “We have to send different people to Congress. I’m running [for Congress] because I believe there is a better way. As a father of three wonderful women and as a grandfather, I know my daughters deserve better.”
McAffrey is a Navy veteran, former Oklahoma City Police Officer and owner of OK Cremation and Mortuary Services. He grew up in Sulphur, OK and is the son of a Baptist minister.
McAffrey had planned to run in the 5th District in 2016, against Lankford. But when Sen Tom Coburn decided to resign at the end of this year, leaving two years left in his term, Lankford decided to run for the seat. Lankford is his party’s nominee for Coburn’s seat.
McAffrey said he wants to implement policies in Washington, D.C., that will encourage the economic growth the Oklahoma City area has experienced in recent years. “We have to look out for the middle class. We have no middle class. We have to work to bring jobs back to Oklahoma. We have to work to make sure the middle class is represented.”
Early in the campaign, he said, “I'm running for Congress because I believe there is a better way. As a veteran, small business owner, dad, grandpa and legislator, I have the unique experience and proven track record of service to go to Washington to end the gridlock, reach across the aisle and start getting things done for Oklahomans.”
McAffrey credited his supporters with his victory, saying, “I couldn’t do it without you. And please remember that. The people here today helped me every which way to win this race. And I want to say thank you. Now we’re going to go against Steve Russell and we’re going to win against Steve Russell.”
Guild concluded his talk to supporters by adding that he does not plan to “embrace” anybody else.
“I don’t see anyone who has the same values as we have, he added. “At this point I’m just going to process everything.”
McAffrey was first elected as a state representative in 2006, and was the first openly gay person ever elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. He said, “I was elected in 2006 as a representative, in 2012 as a senator, and I’ll be elected in 2014 as the first Democratic Congressman from this district in 40 years.
The Gayly – August 26, 2014 @ 9:50pm