♪ >> WITH JUST OVER 50% OF THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS CASTING A BALLOT, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WINS RE-ELECTION FOR FOUR MORE YEARS.

>> TODAY DARK MONEY LOST!

[ Cheering and Applause ] >> ACROSS TOWN, HIS DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER CONCEDES AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE.

>> THE DISAPPOINTMENT WE MIGHT FEEL TONIGHT WILL LINGER, BUT HOPE WILL RESURFACE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> JOY HOFMEISTER'S SUCCESSOR AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE.

>> THIS IS AS IMPORTANT AN ELECTION AS I CAN REMEMBER.

IT'S THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE, OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE IS AT STAKE HERE.

>> 200 NEW LAYS TAKE EFFECT IN OKLAHOMA.

SOME OF THEM POTENTIALLY LIFE-CHANGING.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL COVER ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> AS WE HONOR OUR VETERANS, OKLAHOMA OPENS AN INTERACTIVE VISITORS CENTER AT THE SITE OF A GREAT AND HISTORIC CIVIL WAR BATTLE.

>> WE DO'T KNOW THE HISTORY AS A COMMUNITY AND A COUNTRY.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE WEEK'S ECONOMIC NEWS NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

♪ >> HELLO.

WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

WE HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS VETERANS DAY WEEKEND AS WE LOOK BACK AT A MIDTERM ELECTION IN WHICH JUST 50.3% OF ELIGIBLE OKLAHOMA VOTERS ACTUALLY CAST A BALLOT, THAT'S 6% LESS THAN IN 2018.

WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE OF HOW THE NIGHT UNFOLDED, BEGINNING WITH STEVE SHAW WHO SPENT HIS TUESDAY EVENING AT THE GOP WATCH PARTY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> Reporter: RICH, THE SURPRISE WAS THE FACT REPUBLICANS SWEPT THE ELECTIONS AND WON HANDILY AND IN MOST CASES EARLY.

>> TODAY, DARK MONEY LOST, AND THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA WON!

[ Cheering and Applause ] >> Reporter: 49-YEAR-OLD GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SAYS TRUST IN GOD, AND THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA ARE WHY HE WILL SERVE A SECOND TERM.

>> RONALD REAGAN SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SAID: GOVERNMENT IS NOT THE SOLUTION.

MOST THE TIME GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: STITT RAN AS AN OUTSIDER FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE EMERGED FROM A CROWDED FIELD OF INSIDERS TO WIN 2018 GOVERNOR'S RACE HANDILY.

HE STEERED THE SOONER STATE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, REFUSING TO GO LOCK AND STEP WITH WHAT WASHINGTON, D.C. DECISION-MAKERS HE SAYS TOLD HIM TO DO.

HE RECEIVED NEARLY 639,000 VOTES TUESDAY NIGHT, OR OVER 55%, TO EASILY OUTDISTANCE CURRENT STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION JOY HOFMEISTER WHO GOT ABOUT 42% OF THE VOTE.

AND STITT SAYS HE IN SPITE OF A LATE $50 MILLION ADVERTISING SMEAR CAMPAIGN BY THE OPPOSITION.

>> DID YOU SEE THIS COMMENT?

>> YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T.

WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS BIG OF A VICTORY.

OUR INTERNAL POLLS TOWARDS THE END SHOWED US UP 10-12.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

THAT'S WHAT IS DISAPPOINTING FOR OKLAHOMANS AND AMERICANS, IT'S HARD TO TRUST THE MEDIA RIGHT NOW.

WHO IS PAYING FOR THE POLLS?

WHAT'S THEIR NARRATIVE?

WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO GET ACROSS?

THAT'S WHY AMERICANS AND OKLAHOMANS ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE MEDIA.

REALLY, WHO CAN YOU TRUST, WITH THE FAKE NEWS AND THE $50 MILLION SPENT AGAINST ME TO SPREAD LIES AND CHAOS.

I'M SO HAPPY OKLAHOMANS SAW THE TRUTH.

THEY WERE MAILING OUT THINGS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THAT SAID I WAS GOING TO CLOSE RURAL SCHOOLS.

ANYWAY, THE FEAR THAT WAS HAPPENING WAS SO DISGUSTING, AND I'M GLAD OKLAHOMANS SAW THROUGH IT.

>> Reporter: EARLY ON TUESDAY NIGHT, STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN A.J.

FERATE TOLD ME NATIONALLY THE TOP THREE ISSUES FOR THESE MIDTERMS WERE INFLATION, THE ECONOMY, AND EDUCATION.

BUT HE SAYS DEMOCRATS SPENT A STAGGERING $320 MILLION IN AD MONEY ON THE ABORTION ISSUE, WHICH FERATE SAYS WAS NUMBER SEVEN DOWN THE LIST.

HE SAYS DEMOCRATS MISFIRED, AGAIN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO WIN BIG.

AND, BASED ON SOME NEW INFORMATION WE RECEIVED, I THINK WE WILL WIN QUICKLY HERE THIS EVENING AS WELL.

>> OKLAHOMA SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR.

WE WANT REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

STITT ALLY RYAN WALTERS WON WITH 57% OF THE VOTE AND WILL SUCCEED CURRENT STATE SUPERINTENDENT JOY HOFMEISTER.

GOVERNOR STITT DEFEATED HER TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> THIS IS AS IMPORTANT OF AN ELECTION AS I CAN REMEMBER.

OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE IS AT STAKE HERE.

THE RADICAL AGENDA FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS THE MOST RADICAL THIS COUNTRY HAS SEEN.

THEY'RE PUSHING RADICAL SEXUAL CONTENT IN OUR SCHOOLS.

IT'S PORNOGRAPHY.

IT'S TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT BEING TRANSGENDER IN THE EARLY GRADES.

IT'S ROBBING OUR KIDS OF A GREAT EDUCATION AND, ALSO, IT'S INDOCTRINATING THEM INTO A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH OKLAHOMA'S VALUES.

WE'RE GOING TO GET RADICAL LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: MARKWAYNE MULLIN'S ELECTION GATHERING HAPPENING ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STATE, AND MULLIN, WHO'S NEVER AFRAID TO GET STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, ACTUALLY WON HIS ELECTION BY ABOUT 7:30 TUESDAY NIGHT.

MULLIN WILL TAKE OVER FOR U.S.

SENATOR JIM INHOFE, WHO RETIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

MULLIN SPOKE WITH O.E.T.A.

'S JASON DOYLE LAST WEEK.

>> AND SO, THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT.

ENERGY IS THE BEGINNING OF EVERY PRODUCT BEING MADE, AND IT THE IS THE END OF EACH COST.

WITH HIGH ENERGY COST, WE'LL HAVE INFLATION.

IT'S LITERALLY THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.

IF WE WANT TO START GETTING INFLATION UNDER CONTROL, WE NEED TO BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT.

WE CAN'T RELY ON OPEC, THE CARTELS IN SAUDI ARABIA CONTROLLING OUR OIL PRICES OR RUSSIA TO DICTATE OR PETROLEUM AND OIL PRODUCTS WHEN WE COULD BE ENERGY DEPENDENT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE NEED TO ROLL BACK THE DISASTROUS POLICIES BIDEN PUT IN CONTROL BY PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS AND FORCING US TO RENEWABLES.

IN OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS ALONE, JUST IF WE WOULD TURN THE SPIGOTS BACK ON, WE COULD ELIMINATE OUR NEED ON OPEC AND ON RUSSIA OIL IMMEDIATELY.

AND WE COULD START SEEING INFLATION GO DOWN.

>> JUST VERY THANKFUL.

YOU KNOW, I THANK THE LORD.

I THINK THAT TRUTH PREVAILED TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR STITT SAYS HE HAS NO PLAN TO TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS.

NEXT YEAR, WHAT IS FIRST ON THE AGENDA NEXT YEAR?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS FOCUS ON BECOMING TOP 10 AND RUNNING THE STATE'S BUSINESS.

WE HAVE TONS OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES WE FOCUS ON.

THE FOUR MOST IMPORTANT ARE EDUCATION.

WE ALL WANT THE BEST EDUCATION FOR OUR KIDS, BEST ROADS AND BRIDGES, SO INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

THEN WE GOT HEALTH CARE.

WE WANT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, BETTER ACCESS IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

WE WANT OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THEN WE WANT THE BEST BUSINESS CLIMATE.

I FOCUS ON THOSE FOUR THINGS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL, WHO ALSO COASTED TO RE-ELECTION, GAVE INSIGHT FOR THE REPUBLICAN LANDSLIDE.

>> I MEAN, AGAIN, 77 POINTS IN OKLAHOMA, NOT JUST TWO COUNTIES.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OKLAHOMANS THAT DON'T TRAVEL TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE THAT ARE DEALING WITH THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES.

SO, YOU KNOW, RURAL, URBAN, I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS, WE GOT 77 OF THEM, COUNTIES, WE NEED TO MAKE THEM ALL STRONG OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

>> Reporter: DURING HIS VICTORY SPEECH, GOVERNOR STITT SAID OKLAHOMA NOW RANKS 11th IN THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED HERE RECENTLY.

HE SAYS THOSE LARGEST NUMBERS ARE COMING FROM CALIFORNIA, OF ALL PLACES.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WHILE THE GOP CANDIDATES WERE PRETTY MUCH CENTRALIZED IN THAT ONE LOCATION ON TUESDAY NIGHT, THE DEMOCRATS WERE SPREAD OUT WITH JOY HOFMEISTER'S WATCH PARTY AT THE OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER, WHILE DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS FOR SUPERINTENDENT, CONGRESS AND THE SENATE WERE ELSEWHERE.

OUR KENNEDY SEPULVADO WAS ON THE MOVE TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY NIGHT DID NOT GO THE WAY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES HAD HOPED IN SEVERAL STATEWIDE RACES FOR GOVERNOR AND SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, BOTH JOY HOFMEISTER AND JENA NELSON TOOK EARLY LEADS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE RACES, AS ELECTION DAY NUMBERS TALLIED UP, THEY PULLED AWAY.

>> WE'RE OPTIMISTIC THAT BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, WE CAN GAIN SOME GROUND AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS STATE BACK ON TRACK WHEN IT COMES TO FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: AS THOSE LAST NUMBERS TRICKLED IN, IT WAS CLEAR IT WOULD BE A DISAPPOINTING NIGHT FOR DEMOCRATS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS.

>> THE DISAPPOINTMENT WE MIGHT FEEL TONIGHT WILL LINGER, BUT HOPE WILL RESURFACE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

AND WHEN IT DOES, I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME IN CONTINUING THE WORK TO BUILD THE COMMUNITIES WE ALL DESERVE AND OUR CHILDREN DESERVE.

THE STATE CAPITOL BEHIND ME BELONGS TO YOU, IT BELONGS TO OKLAHOMA.

DON'T EVER FORGET IT.

GOD BLESS YOU.

AND GOD BLESS OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[ Applause ] >> Reporter: ALSO IN THAT SPEECH, JOY DID SAY SHE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA'S TRIBAL NATIONS AS SHE WAS ENDORSED BY THE FIVE TRIBES.

>> LET'S STAY OUT ON THAT LIMB TOGETHER.

[ Applause ] >> LET'S SEE WHAT FRUIT CAN BE HARVESTED BY HAVING HARD CONVERSATIONS, BY STAYING IN FELLOWSHIP WITH EACH OTHER, EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE AND BY FINDING A NEW WAY TO TALK WITH EACH OTHER DEVOID OF SOME OF THESE SAME OLD PARTY LINES.

>> Reporter: HOFMEISTER, WHO SITS ON THE O.E.T.A.

BOARD, RECEIVED 41.8% OF THE VOTES FOR OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR.

SHE WON TULSA, OKLAHOMA AND CLEVELAND COUNTIES.

>> THIS IS A VERY BITTER FOR A LOT OF OKLAHOMANS WHO ARE STILL OKLAHOMANS, WHO WILL STILL BE TEACHING OUR KIDS, WHO STILL BE PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO OKLAHOMANS, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S THE CHALLENGE FOR OUR GOVERNOR, TO RUN SUCH A DIVISIVE RACE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO EXTEND A HANDSHAKE TO NOT JUST HIS OPPONENT BUT TO THE REST OF OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER MAJOR RACE THIS WEEK WAS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, RYAN WALTERS DID WIN THAT RACE.

IN HER CONCESSION SPEECH, JENA NELSON SAYS THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WILL REQUIRE OKLAHOMANS TO WORK TOGETHER AS TEAM OKLAHOMA, NOT TEAM REPUBLICAN OR TEAM DEMOCRAT.

>> I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO KEEP UP THAT VIBE.

WRITE YOUR LEGISLATORS, KEEP MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE 700,000 PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO NEED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US EVERY SINGLE KAY.

-- DAY.

YEP.

[ Applause ] >> AND DON'T LET THE LACK OF WIN TONIGHT.

OUR KIDS ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR, AND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WILL REQUIRE US ALL TO COME TOGETHER.

I SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN: IT IS TIME TO PUT THE DIVISIVENESS ASIDE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO BUILD COMMUNITIES, TO BUILD OUR STATES.

AND WE DON'T DO THAT BY TEAM DEMOCRAT OR TEAM REPUBLICAN.

WE DO THAT BY BECOMING TEAM OKLAHOMA.

[ Applause ] AND WHILE I MAY NOT BE YOUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT, I PROMISE TO ALWAYS BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THE STATE I LOVE, FOR THE PROFESSION I LOVE, FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE KIDS I LOVE.

>> Reporter: NELSON WON OKLAHOMA, CLEVELAND AND PAYNE COUNTIES.

>> IT'S ON THE SHOULDERS OF RYAN WALTERS TO RETRACT A LOT OF HIS VITRIOLIC ATTITUDE AND TOXICITY TOWARDS TEACHERS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO TRUST.

I MEAN, THERE'S A MAJOR TRUST ISSUE BETWEEN HIM AND PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS.

NOW THAT HE HAS THAT POSITION OF POWERFUL, HOPEFULLY HE WILL SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAINTAIN TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> Reporter: BOTH U.S. SENATE RACES, THE ELECTION FOR THE OPEN SENATE SEAT RACE BETWEEN KENDRA HORN AND MARKWAYNE MULLIN AND THE RACE BETWEEN MADISON HORN AND JAMES LANKFORD WERE CALLED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER POLLS CLOSED AT 7:00 P.M. KENDRA HORN, WHO RECEIVED 35.2% OF THE VOTES FOR UNEXPIRED SENATE SEAT, SAT DOWN WITH "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"'S JASON DOYLE LAST WEEK.

A CONCERN WAS A COMMON SENTIMENT AMONG OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES THIS WEEK.

>> WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE MORE THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP THAT'S WILLING TO PUSH BACK AT THE IDEA THAT IT'S EITHER OR, AND WE GOT TO FIND THAT SPACE IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE MOST OF US, A LITTLE BIT LEFT, A LITTLE BIT RIGHT OF CENTER BUT WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE IN COMMON THAN PEOPLE SAY WE DO.

THERE'S A LOT OF NOISES ON THE EDGES.

>> Reporter: ALL THOSE DID NOT GO IN THE DEMOCRATS' FAVOR.

LAWMAKERS ARE HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE.

>> WHETHER YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, IF YOU HAVE YOUR COURAGE TO PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT, TO STAND UP, EVEN IF I DON'T AGREE, I COMMEND YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO SO.

THAT'S PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> I'M GRATEFUL WE CAN SOLVE OUR POLITICAL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN VOTING AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS FOR ALL OKLAHOMANS.

>> AND THAT WAS KENNEDY SEPULVADO REPORTING.

ALL FIVE OF OKLAHOMA'S CONGRESSIONAL SEATS WERE WON BY REPUBLICANS THIS YEAR, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL IMPORTANT STATEWIDE OFFICES UP FOR GRABS.

WITH MORE ON THOSE RESULTS AND THE REACTION TO THEM, WE'RE JOINED BY CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE.

>> Reporter: YES, RICH, AN EXCITING ELECTION NIGHT FOR REPUBLICANS AS THEY WON ELECTIONS AT NEARLY EVERY LEVEL IN OKLAHOMA, KEEPING ALL THE STATEWIDE OFFICES IN THEIR CAMP.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HOW YOU FEELING ABOUT THINGS TONIGHT?

>> FEELING GREAT.

>> Reporter: THE ECHOED WITH THE FEEL FOR REPUBLICANS IN ALL THE STATEWIDE RACES, INCLUDING A DOMINATING PERFORMANCE BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL.

>> GREAT WIN.

VERY HONORED TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OKLAHOMANS ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AGAIN FOR FOUR MORE YEARS.

>> Reporter: I SAW SOME REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WON THEIR RACES BY 7:30.

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE DON'T TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD JUST TELLING PEOPLE WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.

TO BE THE SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR THE STATE, BE POSITIVE ABOUT THE STATE, YOU KNOW, WE GET MILLIONS OF PEOPLE SHOWING UP IN OKLAHOMA SPENDING A WHOLE A LOT OF MONEY.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: PINNELL SAYS ECONOMIC ISSUES DROVE VOTERS TO THE POLLS ON TUESDAY.

>> THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, PEOPLE STARTED RALLYING BEHIND ECONOMIC ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW GAS PRICES WERE HIGHER A YEAR AGO, BUT IT'S STILL A REALLY BIG DEAL FOR MOST OKLAHOMANS ACROSS THE STATE, THE PRICE OF FOOD GOING UP, THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AS WELL, A REALLY BIG ISSUE.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA STATE TREASURER-ELECT TODD RUSS AGREES ECONOMIC ISSUES PLAYED A ROLE IN THE REPUBLICAN VICTORIES.

>> IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY, BUT THERE'S MORE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES RIGHT NOW.

WE WILL GET THOSE SETTLED TONIGHT AND MOVE ON.

OKLAHOMA'S A GREAT STATE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA FOR ANOTHER TERM.

>> Reporter: RUSS WAS TERM-LIMITED AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND CHOSE TO RUN FOR STATE TREASURER.

>> WE WORKED HARD.

THE NUMBERS LOOK GOOD.

I THOUGHT THEY LOOKED GOOD FOR OKLAHOMA AND THEY'RE LOOKING BETTER ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: DEFENDING HER SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME CONGRESSWOMAN STEPHANIE BICE WON ANOTHER TWO YEARS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SENTING A MESSAGE TO THE BELTWAY.

>> WE HAVE A THRIVING ECONOMY HERE.

PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO OKLAHOMA.

THEY WANT A STATE THAT IS FREE AND OPEN AND PUTTING PEOPLE TO WORK.

THE THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S OF THE SAME MIND AS MANY OF THE REPUBLICAN WINNERS, IT'S THE ECONOMY WHICH DROVE THIS ELECTION.

>> GAS IS UP 50%.

THESE ARE THE REAL ISSUES THAT AMERICANS ARE FACING, YOU KNOW, THE HUGE INCREASE IN PRICES AND ENERGY.

WE HAVE GOT TO FOCUS ON -- >> Reporter: BICE WAS JOINED BY THE OTHER FOUR REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR U.S. HOUSE SEATS IN VICTORY.

THAT MEANS BOTH BICE AND CONGRESSMAN KEVIN HERN COULD BE IN LINE FOR IMPORTANT POSITIONS.

>> WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT HERN AND BICE.

THEY ARE GO NEWCOMERS, RELATIVELY.

DO THEY GET SOME IMPORTANT POSITIONS?

>> THIS WILL BE THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO NOW THAT REPUBLICANS WILL BE BACK IN CHARGE OF CONGRESS AND THEIR FIRST TIME.

THEY'VE ALREADY HAD SOME TIME IN CONGRESS, SO, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO SAY IT, THEY KNOW THEIR WAY AROUND, WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

NOW THEY CAN SHOW THEIR WORTH TO REPUBLICAN LEADERS WITHIN CONGRESS IN ORDER TO GET THE KIND OF ASSIGNMENTS THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: REPLACING U.S. SENATOR-ELECT, MARKWAYNE MULLIN IN THE SEAT SEASON JOSH BRECHEEN.

>> HE WAS ALSO A VERY INTERESTING INDIVIDUAL.

I WILL SAY HE WAS ONE THAT ALWAYS LISTENED TO WHAT OTHERS HAD TO SAY.

IN PROPOSING SOME OF THE LEGISLATION, WE SAW IT MORPH OVER TIME AS HE ADOPTED SOME OF THOSE IDEAS.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO APPEARS CONGRESSMAN FRANK LUCAS AND TOM COLE COULD NAB IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE U.S. HOUSE.

>> FOR THE VETERANS, UM, LIKE CONGRESSMAN COLE AND CONGRESSMAN LUCAS, THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO POSSIBLY RETURN TO SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS.

>> I SPENT THE DAY TALKING TO COLLEAGUES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND REPUBLICANS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY RETAKE THE HOUSE.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

WE WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF OKLAHOMANS, FRANK LUCAS AND MYSELF.

THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE STATE.

WE WILL PUT BRAKES ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE ABSOLUTELY SAFE.

WE'VE NATIONALIZED, BASICALLY, ELECTIONS SINCE 1994 WHEN IT COMES TO THE U.S. HOUSE AND THE U.S. SENATE.

THE PARTY THAT IS IN POWER DURING THE MIDTERM DOES IT WELL.

THIS IS OKLAHOMA.

SO, WHEN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO POLLS, THEY CAN DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN STATE ELECTIONS AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT EVEN AS MUCH ABOUT THE CANDIDATES IS DO I WANT CHUCK SCHUMER TO STILL BE MAJORITY LEADER?

>> Reporter: THE DEMOCRATS DID NOT LOSE FOOTING IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN WHICH THE REPUBLICANS HOLD A SUPER MAJORITY.

>> WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS A POTENTIAL SMALL GAIN FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

SO, THE RACES THAT WE WERE REALLY LOOKING AT IN NORMAN, WE HAD JACOB.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE DID HOLD ON.

THAT IS A HOLD FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Reporter: HOUSE DEMOCRATS ALSO HELD REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA'S SEAT IN THE TULSA AREA AND GAINED A SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY REPRESENTATIVE GERALD BUSH.

THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE WILL HAVE 81 REPUBLICANS AND 19 DEMOCRATS FOR THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

>> THAT FOR US IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HAD A NET GAIN IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE FOR DEMOCRATS IN 20 YEARS.

THE LAST TIME WAS IN 2002.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT SOME OF OUR MESSAGING IS REACHING THOSE VOTERS.

OF COURSE, WE WOULD LOVE TO BE IN A MUCH BETTER THAN WE RA.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, IN THE OKLAHOMA SENATE, DEMOCRAT SENATOR J.J. LOST TO DANA.

>> IT APPEARS REPUBLICANS MAY BE PICKING UP A SEAT IN THE STATE SENATE WHERE, OF COURSE, THEY HOLD A SUPER MAJORITY AS WELL.

THAT WOULD BE A BLOW TO DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THE STATEWIDE RACES DID NOT CAPTURE THE LIMELIGHT.

SOME OF THESE STATEWIDE RACES ARE IMPACTFUL.

>> THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, THEY DO WAGE AND INVESTIGATIONS FROM EMPLOYERS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF INSPECTIONS, TOO, MAYBE WE DON'T THINK ABOUT IN THE FIELD AS WELL.

LESLIE OSBORN IS RUNNING FOR ELECTION.

SHE'S WAY AHEAD AT ALMOST 67% OF THE VOTE.

>> LESLIE OSBORN WON RE-ELECTION AS LABOR COMMISSIONER AND JOINED BY REPUBLICAN KIM DAVID IN WINNING A STATEWIDE SEAT.

THE OUTGOING STATE SENATOR FROM PORTER IS READY TO TAKE HER PLACE ON THE CORPORATION COMMISSION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

THIS IS WHAT OKLAHOMA'S ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE BIGGEST VOTE-GETTER ON THE NIGHT IS ATTORNEY GENERAL-ELECT GENTNER DRUMMOND SURPASSING THE LIKES OF GOVERNOR STITT AND TOPPING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S MATT PINNELL'S VOTE TOTAL.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA LEGISLATORS WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE GIVEN THE OATH OF OFFICE NEXT WEEK SO THEY CAN BEGIN WORK ON BILLS ON THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

THAT BEGINS NEXT FEBRUARY.

>> JASON, GREAT.

THANK YOU.

WE WANT TO WRAP UP OUR RECAP OF ELECTION NIGHT WITH A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE OUR COVERAGE POSSIBLE, BEGINNING, OF COURSE, WITH THE SPECIAL GUESTS.

PAUL MONIES, SHAWN ASHLEY, EMILY VIRGIN, CHAD ALEXANDER.

THANK YOU TO OUR REPORTERS, THEIR FIELD PRODUCERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR A LONG AND VERY SUCCESSFUL NIGHT.

THANK YOU TO OUR EXCELLENT PRODUCTION STAFF, BOTH IN THE STUDIO AND IN THE CONTROL ROOM.

THANK YOU TO OUR ENGINEERS WHO HELPED MAKE SURE ALL THE EQUIPMENT WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND THANK YOU TO OUR MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOLKS WHO PROVIDED A LIVESTREAM OF THE BROADCAST ONLINE.

JUST ABOUT EVERYONE WHO WORKS HERE AT O.E.T.A.

PLAYED A PART IN HELPING BRING THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF AN IMPORTANT ELECTION NIGHT HOME TO OUR LOYAL O.E.T.A.

VIEWERS AND WE THANK YOU.

>> ABOUT 200 NEW LAWS TOOK EFFECT BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1st IN OKLAHOMA.

WHILE WE CAN'T RUN DOWN ALL OF THEM FOR YOU HERE, WE HAVE SELECTED A COUPLE WE THINK WILL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON OKLAHOMANS GOING FORWARD.

TAELYR JACKSON HAS MORE ON THAT NOW.

>> Reporter: RICH, WHILE MOST OF THE NEW LEGISLATION WENT INTO EFFECT THIS MONTH, A HANDFUL WILL GO INTO EFFECT NOVEMBER 1st OF 2024.

WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA CAN NOW RECEIVE FREE OF CHARGE BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING THAT GOES BEYOND TRADITIONAL TESTING.

LAUREN MARQUETTE CAN SUSAN G. KOMEN SAYS HER ORGANIZATION WORKED CLOSELY WITH OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS TO CREATE THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> WE ACTUALLY WORKED ON THIS IN OKLAHOMA, AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE GOING TO COVER ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE WERE APPROACHED BY REPRESENTATIVE PROVANZANO AND WORKED WITH HER TO GET LANGUAGE TOGETHER AND TAKE A DEEP DIVE AND WOULD THIS AFFECT WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA.

IT ABSOLUTELY DOES.

>> Reporter: MAMMOGRAMS ARE USUALLY COVERED THROUGH INSURANCE, BUT ADDITIONAL TESTING, SUCH AS BREAST MRIs AND BREAST ULTRASOUND ARE NOT AND NOW INSURANCE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COVER THE COST.

>> IF ANYTHING IS CAUGHT ON THE MAMMOGRAM OR A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER, THEN THE SUBSEQUENT TESTS ARE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, AND THOSE WERE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE.

THEY WOULD AFTER YOU GET YOUR DEDUCTIBLE, BUT, AS WE KNOW, A LOT OF WOMEN HAVE VERY HIGH DEDUCTIBLES AND CAN PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET.

>> Reporter: MARQUETTE SAYS THIS WILL ALSO BENEFIT BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS.

>> THIS ALSO REALLY APPLIES TO BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS BECAUSE THEY DON'T DO SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS ANY MORE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE ALREADY HAD BREAST CANCER SO THEY MIGHT BE OUT OF POCKET THESE TESTS EVERY SIX MONTHS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WOMEN HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE IF THEY GET DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AND WE WANT EARLY DETECTION AS THE KEEP.

>> Reporter: STARTING AT AGE 40, WOMEN BEGIN RECEIVING ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO, AT ANY AGE, KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AND TALK TO, YOU KNOW, YOUR GRANDMOTHER, YOUR AUNT, YOUR COUSINS, YOUR MOTHER, SISTERS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HAVE THEY HAD ANY PROBLEMS?

HAVE THEY EVER BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A TYPE OF CANCER?

>> Reporter: ANOTHER HEALTH CARE SCREENING LAW PASSED THIS YEAR IS SENATE BILL 1464, AUTHORED BY SENATOR CARRIE HICKS UPDATING THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCREENING LIST TO WATCH THE RECOMMENDED UNIFORM SCREENING PANEL FOR NEWBORNS.

JENNIFER BAYSINGER WITH THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THEY ARE WORKING TO ENSURE OKLAHOMA NEWBORN SCREENING WILL ALIGN WITH THE NEW STATUTE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADD NPSII ADDED IN AUGUST.

WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING AN ANALYSIS.

WE HAVE TO DO AN INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY MULTIPLE DIFFERENT AREAS TO ENSURE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN PLACE BEFORE SCREENING.

>> Reporter: IT'S REQUIRED BY STATE LAW FOR NEWBORNS TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST DONE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF LIFE TO DETECT GENETIC DISORDERS.

>> THE REASON THAT NEWBORN SCREENING IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW WITH EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND PROMPT TREATMENT, WE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN A BABY'S LIFE BETWEEN NORMAL DEVELOPMENT OR ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT OR SOMETIMES DEATH.

>> Reporter: DISORDERS ARE HARD TO DETECT BY AN INFANT'S PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.

>> NEWBORN SCREENING STARTS IS IT PROCESS OF SEEING MAYBE SOMETHING THERE AND THEN SEND ON FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CONFIRMATION TO CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THE BABY HAS THE DISORDER.

>> Reporter: DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IS TYPICALLY DONE THROUGH A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN OR A SPECIALIST'S OFFICE.

>> IT STARTED NEWBORN SCREENING.

SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF.

IN FACT, A LOT OF TIMES WE USED TO CALL IT A PKU SCREEN.

SO, WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THAT TERMINOLOGY AND CALL IT A NEWBORN SCREEN, BECAUSE WE DO SCREEN FOR SO MANY DIFFERENT DISORDER.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER COMMONLY TESTED GENETIC DISORDER IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS.

>> THEN WE ALSO SCREEN FOR SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SO THERE'S A LARGE VARIETY.

THERE IS A LARGE VARIETY OF THAT WE SCREEN FOR.

>> Reporter: AS OF NOVEMBER 1st, THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY, ALSO KNOWN AS OMA.

THIS GIVES THE ORGANIZATION THE ABILITY TO WORK EFFICIENTLY.

>> NOW THAT WE'RE A STAND-ALONE AGENCY, THE BUCK STOPS WITH US.

WE CAN GET OUT INTO OKLAHOMA, MAKING SURE WE'RE COMPLETING THOSE NECESSARY INSPECTIONS, KEEPING OUR EYES ON THE INDUSTRY, FULFILLING OUR REGULATORY DUTIES.

>> Reporter: IN 204, MEDICAL MARIJUANA EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO CERTIFICATE FOR CREDENTIALS.

>> WE ARE RESEARCHING THAT.

>> Reporter: DISPENSARIES AROUND THE STATE MIGHT GET A VISIT FROM SECRET SHOPPERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> THIS REQUIRES US TO CREATE A SECRET SHOPPER PROGRAM IN WHICH SECRET SHOPPERS WILL GO INTO DECEMBER SPENCEARIES AND PURCHASE MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO ENSURE THEY ARE SELLING SAFE PRODUCT.

>> Reporter: OTHER LAWS INCLUDE LIMITING SPAM PHONE CALLS AND CRACKING DOWN ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT.

THIEVES CAN NOW FACE UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

>> THANK YOU.

AS WE CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS ON FRIDAY, WE SUGGEST YOU PLAN A TRIP TO THE HONEY SPRINGS BATTLEFIELD VISITORS CENTER THAT OFFICIALLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN RENTIESVILLE LAST SATURDAY.

THERE YOU WILL LEARN ALL ABOUT AN HISTORIC THAT WAS UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE CIVIL WAR.

FIRE!

[ Gunfire ] SECURE THE BASE!

AT EASE.

>> WE'RE SO EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT BATTLE.

THIS TOOK PLACE IN INDIAN TERRITORY.

IT'S THE BIGGEST BATTLE IN INDIAN TERRITORY.

ABOUT 9,000 TROOPS WERE ENENGAGED HERE AND THE FIRST KANSAS COLOR REGIMENT.

NATIVE TROOPS ON BOTH SIDES FIGHTING HERE.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

SO, WE NEEDED A PLACE TO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT STORY AND NOW VISITORS CAN COME IN HERE, AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO LEARN THAT STORY IN A WAY THAT STICKS WITH THEM.

[ Gunfire ] >> THIS NEW VISITORS CENTER THATTER WITH STANDING IN FRONT OF TODAY, IT'S A PROJECT THAT YEARS IN THE MAKING.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET GRANTS FROM PLACES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO BE ABLE TO BUILD AND THEN TO PUT THE NEW EXHIBITS IN.

TODAY WE'RE EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL THE EXHIBITS INSTALLED AND THEY'RE INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLE THAT TOOK PLACE HERE IN 1863.

>> EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE BRAVE, THEY WEREN'T BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE OFFICERS.

>> THEY SACRIFICED THE SUB-STANDARD PAY, THEY SACRIFICED NOT BEING ABLE TO BE IN OFFICE.

THEY SACRIFICED SO MUCH JUST TO SERVE, SERVE TO GAIN THEIR FREEDOM, FAMILY MEMBERS' FREEDOM, BUT, ULTIMATELY, TO SAVE, YOU KNOW, AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, TO SAVE THIS PERFECT, THIS MORE PERFECT UNION.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF WE DON'T KNOW THESE STORIES, WE DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY, WE DON'T KNOW A PART OF WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO AS A COUNTRY.

SO, THE MORE WE UNDERSTAND THE BATTLE OF HONEY SPRINGS, THE UNDERSTAND THE BRAVERY, WE UNDERSTAND THE SACRIFICE, WE UNDERSTAND HOW THIS BATTLE WAS PIVOTAL IN TERMS OF THE UNION ARMY WINNING THE CIVIL WAR, WAS PIVOTAL IN TURNING THE NATION'S ATTENTION IN FAVOR OF BLACK SOLDIERS.

AND WE KNOW THERE WERE 180,000 BLACK SOLDIERS THAT FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR.

>> AND SHARING THAT STORY IS Dr. HILL SO ELOQUENTLY PUT IT IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT FOR HISTORY, IT'S PRETTY GOOD BUSINESS, TOO.

TOURISM REALLY IS THE FRONT DOOR TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE COME TO OKLAHOMA, A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO OKLAHOMA FOR A TOURISM EXPERIENCE.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE SELL REALLY WELL FROM A TOURISM PERSPECTIVE.

BUT THEN YOU'VE GOT MOMS AND DADS GETTING BACK IN THEIR CARS WHEN THEY LEAVE SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT?

OKLAHOMA IS NICE.

I'M TIRED OF LIVING IN DALLAS IN ALL THAT TRAFFIC.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE OUR BUSINESS HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO RETIRE HERE.

AND WE HEAR THOSE CONVERSATIONS A LOT.

>> I'M GOING TO PLAY A SONG NOW CALLED "OH JOHNNY BOOKER."

♪ ♪ >> YOU KNOW, THIS REALLY IS WHAT TOURISTS ARE LOOKING FOR.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AUTHENTIC TOURISM EXPERIENCES AND TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA AND AN RE-ENACTMENT EVERY YEAR, NOW THAT WE HAVE A VISITORS CENTER FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN, JUST A WORLD-CLASS DOCUMENTARY THAT'S ALSO RUNNING INSIDE, PEOPLE ARE REALLY GOING TO BE IMPRESSED.

THEY'RE GOING TO LEARN A WHOLE LOT OF OKLAHOMA HISTORY HERE, BUT IT'S INTERACTIVE.

WE HAVE BIG PLANS FOR HONEY SPRINGS IN THE FUTURE YEARS.

>> 1, 2, 3.

CUT.

ALL RIGHT.

[ Applause ] >> VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE.

LET'S RECAP OUR STATEWIDE ECONOMIC NEWS.

SEVERAL OF OKLAHOMA'S MOST SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES ARE RELEASING THEIR EARNINGS REPORTS TO INVESTORS.

JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS IN THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Reporter: PAYCOM SAW PROFITS JUMP IN THE THIRD QUARTER THIS YEAR BRINGING IN 52.2 MILLION COMPARED TO 30.4 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR AGO.

REVENUES ALSO GREW BY MORE THAN 30% FOR THE HUMAN RESOURCES SOFTWARE DEVELOPER.

PAYCOM BELIEVES REVENUES WILL HIT MORE THAN $1.37 BILLION FOR ALL OF 2022.

TULSA-BASED WILLIAMS REPORTS THE THIRD-QUARTER NET INCOME JUMPED TO 599 MILLION COMPARED TO 164 MILLION DURING THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, WILLIAMS ANNOUNCED THE EXPANSION OF ITS NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE BUSINESS, NEWCREST, AND A CLEAN HYDROGEN COMMERCIALIZATION STRATEGY AGREEMENT WHICH HAS HELPED THE BOTTOM LINE.

WILLIAMS' EXECUTIVES BELIEVE GROWTH WILL CONTINUE DUE TO WINTER AND THE ONGOING RUSSIAN ATTACK ON UKRAINE.

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES MADE 1.1 BILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO $371 MILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2021.

DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, CONTINENTAL AVERAGED 414 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL EQUIVALENT PER DAY.

THE FOUNDER'S DESIRE TO TAKE THE COMPANY PRIVATE IS ON TRACK TO CLOSE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO ELECTION DAY, IN-DEPTH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT INTERVIEWED THE TWO LEADING CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR, INCUMBENT KEVIN STITT AND HIS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION, JOY HOFMEISTER.

SUSAN ADDRESSED THE SAME TOPICS WITH BOTH CANDIDATES.

DID THE DIFFERENCES IN THEIR ANSWERS HELP ACCOUNT FOR STITT'S LARGE MARGIN OF VICTORY.

>> THE FIRST QUESTION IS AN EASY ONE.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT FOLKS MAY NOT KNOW.

LET'S GET TO KNOW YOU.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, I'M A FOURTH-GENERATION OKLAHOMAN.

I GREW UP IN NORMAN.

I WENT TO SCHOOL IN STILLWATER.

I MET MY WIFE IN TULSA WHEN I GOT MY FIRST JOB OVER THERE, AND WE'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 24 YEARS.

WE HAVE SIX CHILDREN.

SO, BIG FAMILY.

I HAVE TWO KIDS IN COLLEGE AND FOUR AT HOME.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE OUR STATE.

BUT I LOVE THE WESTERN WAY OF LIFE, TOO.

I LOVE RIDING HORSES.

AND AN INTERESTING FACT I TELL PEOPLE IS I CAN RIDE A UNICYCLE.

>> WELL, ANY HUSBAND JERRY AND I RAISED OUR FOUR KIDS RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA, AND THEY'RE ALL GROWN.

THREE ARE MARRIED.

WE WELCOMED OUR FIRST GRAND BABY JUST NINE MONTHS AGO.

SO, WE THINK ABOUT ALL FAMILIES BUT, OF COURSE, AS SOMEONE WITH A GRANDDAUGHTER, YOU THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE IN A WAY THAT MOST EDUCATORS DO.

AS WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST ALMOST EIGHT YEARS FOCUSING ON THE NEEDS OF THE 700,000 SCHOOLKIDS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT EDUCATION FOR A MINUTE.

THAT'S ON OUR LIST OF TOPICS.

YOU MENTIONED THE SURPLUS FUNDS, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

SOME HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE THESE SURPLUS FUNDS, WHY AREN'T WE INVESTING IN TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS MORE?

>> NUMBER ONE, WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE, THAT WAS HAPPENING.

THE LEGISLATURE WOULD SPEND EVERY DIME THEY HAD AND INCREASE THE BASE LEVEL EXPENSES ALL ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT.

WELL, WE KNOW THAT REVENUE DOESN'T JUST ALWAYS GO UP IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

SO, THE MOMENT YOU HAVE A DOWNTURN, NOW YOU'RE HAVING TO CUT AND YOU'RE HAVING ALL THIS CHAOS IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

YOU NOTICE IT HASN'T BEEN LIKE THAT FOR FOUR YEARS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN FISCALLY DISCIPLINED.

I'VE BEEN MORE MONEY IN EDUCATION THAN ANY GOVERNOR IN HISTORY.

WE HAVE GIVEN OUR TEACHERS A PAY RAISE.

WE PASSED A BILL CALLED THE RED BUD BILL TO PUT MORE MONEY IN RURAL SCHOOLS.

I'VE ALSO CUT TAXES FOR OKLAHOMANS.

SO, WE HAVE TO BE DISCIPLINED AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND INVEST STRATEGICALLY ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

>> WE DID MAKE SOME GAINS.

BUT THEN OTHER STATES HAVE ALSO RAISED THEIR PAY.

SOME CALLING FOR A $5,000 TEACHER PAY RAISE, AGAIN, IT IS TIME SO WE CAN AT LEAST BE THE TOP OF REGION.

BUT BY 2025, I WANT TO SEE US HIT THAT NATIONAL AVERAGE.

MY GOAL IS TO SEE THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS STRENGTHENED.

GOVERNOR STITT HAS A VOUCHER SCHEME AND WILL KILL THE COMMUNITY AND IMPACT HEALTH AND REGIONAL HOSPITALS.

SO, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR BEING COMPETITIVE AND READY FOR THE NEXT STEPS IN LEARNING OR THE WORKFORCE.

BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT GREAT TEACHERS, CARING, COMMITTED EDUCATORS WHO ARE PREPARED AND REL -- WELL RESOURCED.

>> THE LIES AND CHAOS THAT THESE SPECIAL INTERESTS HAVE BEEN MAILING YOU FLYERS SAYING I'M GOING TO DEFUND YOUR RURAL SCHOOL.

THAT'S NONSENSE.

EVERYBODY KNOW THAT'S CRAZY.

I WILL CONTINUE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN EDUCATION THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNOR IN HISTORY.

THE RED BUD BILL ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY FUNDED MORE MONEY TO RURAL SCHOOLS.

SO, AGAIN, IT'S JUST CHAOS.

THEY'RE TWISTING IT.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, NORTH TULSA, SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY, IF THERE ARE SCHOOLS THAT ARE CLOSED DOWN, LIKE THEY WERE DURING COVID FOR 355 DAYS, PARENTS NEED MORE OPTIONS.

>> MY GOD, LET'S ONCE AND FOR ALL, FUND OUR SCHOOLS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE TEACHERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM THAT ARE ABLE, THEN, TO STAY IN THE PROFESSION AND GIVE BACK TO THE CHILDREN AND KEEP COMMUNITIES STRONG.

IF WE DON'T -- I MEAN, THIS IS MY JOB.

AS SUPERINTENDENT, MY JOB IS TO HAVE TOP CHOICES IN NEIGHBORHOODS ALL ACROSS THE STATE, SOME OF THE BEST SCHOOLS WE HAVE ARE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA, AND THIS GOVERNOR IS RISKING THE DISMANTLING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT IS A STRONG PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT WILL CAUSE OUR STATE TO RISE IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

>> OUR NEXT TOPIC IS ABORTION.

I KNOW THAT'S BEEN A BIG ISSUE IN OKLAHOMA AND OKLAHOMA HAS GARNERED ATTENTION IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT FOR YOUR STANCE ON ABORTION AND YOU'VE BEEN HIGHLY CRITICIZED FOR THAT STANCE.

WHY DO YOU TAKE THAT STANCE THAT YOU DO?

I THINK KNOWS.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN IT?

>> YEAH, FIRST OFF, I DON'T THINK I'VE BEEN CRITICIZED BY OKLAHOMANS.

I MIGHT HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED BY THE LIBERALS ON THE EAST COAST OR THE WEST COAST, BY MY OPPONENT WON'T GIVE AN ANSWER.

THE MOST EXTREME POSITION IS MY OPPONENT, SHE'S SIDING MORE WITH NORTH KOREA AND CHINA THAN OKLAHOMANS BECAUSE SHE WILL NOT ADMIT WHEN LIFE BEGINS.

THEY WANT TO ABORT BABIES ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL BIRTH, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.

AND THE OTHER LIE THAT PEOPLE TELL YOU IS THAT THE SUPREME COURT BANNED ABORTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IT SIMPLY PUSHED THAT BACK TO THE STATES WHERE IT BELONGS.

EVERY STATE WILL DO THINGS DIFFERENT.

WE WANT TO BE A PRO-LIFE STATE.

WE WANT TO BE THE STATE THAT PROTECTS MOMS, PROTECTS BABIES, IS THE EASIEST ADOPTION STATE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

BUT MY OPPONENT WANTS TO SIDE WITH CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK AND COLORADO AND ABORT BABIES UP TO BIRTH.

THAT'S NOT WHAT OKLAHOMANS STAND.

>> DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT EXTREME FOR YOUR MAIN OPPONENT?

>> WELL, YES.

DURING OUR TV DEBATE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, SHE WOULD NOT ANSWER WHEN SHE BELIEVES THAT LIFE BEGINS.

AND WHEN WOULD SHE STOP ABORTION?

WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS EVERY STATE WILL DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

SOME STATES MIGHT DO A 15-WEEK BAN.

FRANCE BANS ABORTION BETWEEN 12-14 WEEKS.

YOU KNOW, SOME STATES WILL DO A HEARTBEAT BILL AT MAYBE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS.

SO, WE CAN HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, BUT WE CERTAINLY KNOW LIFE BEGINS BEFORE THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S VERY EXTREME ABORTION BAN IS A VERY GREAT CONCERN FOR MANY, MANY OKLAHOMANS.

I AM PERSONALLY PRO-LIFE, BUT I HAVE NOT WALKED IN EVERY WOMAN'S SHOES.

DO I NOT FAVOR EXTREMES ON EITHER SIDE OF THIS ISSUE.

THESE ARE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, MEDICAL CARE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE MADE BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR, AND OFTEN WHAT WE SEE NOW TODAY IS THE GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN NO MERCY FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE OR INCEST.

THESE ARE EXTREME MEASURES.

AND IT IS DRIVING PHYSICIANS OUT OF OUR STATE DUE TO THE CRIMINALIZATION OF STANDARD HEALTH CARE.

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS DURING THE DEBATE, DID HE SAY HE WOULD LOOK AT THAT IF IT WAS PUT ON HIS DESK IN THE INSTANCE OF INCEST OR RAPE TO ALLOW ABORTIONS IN THAT CASE?

>> I BELIEVE I HEARD HIM SAY THAT.

MY GOSH, WE ARE WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE HE INVITED THIS EXTREME BILL AND SIGNED IT.

>> YEAH.

>> NOW HE'S GONNA REVERSE AND SAY HE WANTS TO CLEAN UP WHAT HE DID?

THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON WOMEN AND PHYSICIANS, AND IT INVITES MISCARRIAGE BOUNTY HUNTERS AT $10,000 FEES PITTING NEIGHBOR AGAINST NEIGHBOR.

THIS IS BAD FOR OKLAHOMA.

>> SHOULD THERE WILL BE A TIMELINE ANYTHING AFTER A FIRST TRIMESTER, ANY CHANGES IN THE ABORTION LAWS, WOULD THERE BE A CUTOFF, IF ANY, ALLOWING ABORTION?

>> THERE ARE GUARDRAILS AND WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND WITH THOSE THAT CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE FREEDOM AND PRIVACY OF MEDICAL DECISIONS, BUT ALSO THROUGH THE LENS THAT WE WANT TO CELEBRATE AND PROTECT LIFE.

>> I WANT TO SWITCH OVER TO THE ENERGY SECTOR RIGHT NOW.

THE ECONOMY, AS YOU MENTIONED, IN OKLAHOMA, THE FOUNDATION, IS ENERGY IN OKLAHOMA.

BUT THESE DAYS, WE'RE FACED WITH ENERGY VERSUS ENVIRONMENT.

I KNOW YOU'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT IN THE PAST.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT?

IS THE ENVIRONMENT IMPORTANT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR COMPANIES ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT WE DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE TAKE CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE REDUCED OUR CARBON EMISSIONS BY THREE TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE SINCE 2005.

A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF CLEAN-BURNING NATURAL GAS.

BUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ATTACKING OUR WAY OF LIFE IN OKLAHOMA, THEY'RE ATTACKING THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, THEY'RE TAXING IT, THEY'RE CANCELING THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE, THEY'RE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET NEW PERMITS IN A LOT OF CASES.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH THAT: DEPEND IS THE SAME.

WE'RE ALL STILL HEATING OUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES, DRIVING TO WORK AND FOOTBALL PRACTICE AND PIANO LESSONS.

WHEN YOU CHOKE OFF SUPPLY, DEMAND'S THE SAME, THEN PRICES WILL GO UP.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING 40-YEAR HIGH INFLATION, WE'RE SEEING THINGS COSTING MORE AT THE GROCERY STORE AND AT THE GAS PUMP.

OKLAHOMA DOES IT SO WELL.

>> WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO THAT, THEN?

>> THE ANSWER IS TO UNLEASH AND TAKE YOUR THUMB OFF OF TRYING TO PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS.

OKLAHOMA -- I BRAG ON OKLAHOMA WHEN I MEET WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND WHEN I MEET WITH THEIR SECRETARY OF ENERGY.

WE'RE NUMBER FOUR IN OIL PRODUCTION, NUMBER THREE IN NATURAL GAS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

HERE'S WHAT THEY DON'T REALIZE.

WE'RE NUMBER TWO IN WIND ENERGY PRODUCTION.

OKLAHOMA, WE BELIEVE IN MORE OF EVERYTHING.

WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT RENEWABLES.

I'M ACTUALLY RECRUITING MORE -- I'VE SIGNED AN MOU WITH THE GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS AND LOUISIANA TO BRING A HYDROGEN HUB HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE WANT MORE WIND AND OIL AND GAS.

WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF THAT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THAT PARTY WON'T HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NEED FOR OIL AND NATURAL GAS BECAUSE WHAT THEIR SOLUTION IS ISN'T WORKING BECAUSE THEY'RE SIMPLY JUST ASKING RUSSIA AND OPEC TO PRODUCE MORE OIL.

WE NEED TO UNLEASH OKLAHOMA COMPANIES.

>> ENERGY, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, DEFINES THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED MORE ENERGY, NOT LESS.

AND AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IS AMERICAN SECURITY AND SAFETY, AND WE KNOW THAT ALSO IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR STATE'S ECONOMY.

AND WE WANT TO WORK TO ENSURE THAT OUR BUSINESSES RIGHT HERE THAT EMPLOY 90,000 POSITIONS ALL ACROSS THE STATE CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE.

WE SHOULD BE A LEADER IN THE RESEARCH, ALSO, ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT IN THE NEXT DECADES WITH ENERGY.

AND TODAY, UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE SEEN THAT LEAVE OUR STATE.

WE COULD BE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS FOR THE NATION WITH WHAT'S NEXT AND KEEP THESE COMPANIES CONTINUING TO GROW.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN THAT -- YOU SAID WE'VE SEEN IT LEAVE THE STATE.

WHY?

>> THE RESEARCH THAT IS BEING DONE IS NOT IN OKLAHOMA AT THE LEVEL THAT IT IS NOW IN OTHER STATES ON SOME OF THE EAST COAST.

AND THAT IS A CONCERN FROM LEADERS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR; THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT WORK RIGHT HERE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, TALK ABOUT WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH OKLAHOMA'S TRIBES?

>> FIRST OFF, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BEING PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRIBAL FOLKS IN OKLAHOMA.

I'M ACTUALLY A TRIBAL MEMBER, MY MOM, ALL SIX OF MY CHILDREN, MY COUSINS IN THE INDIAN RODEO ASSOCIATION.

I'M SO PROUD OF OUR NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE.

THAT'S PART OF WHO WE ARE AS OKLAHOMANS.

THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN THEY RUN ADS AND THEY TRY TO CONFUSE THE PUBLIC TO SAY I DON'T LIKE INDIAN TRIBES.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

I'M PRO OKLAHOMA.

I WILL NOT FEDERALIZE MY STATE.

THE McGIRT DECISION TRIED TO KICK OKLAHOMA OUT OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA ON LAW AND ORDER, TO BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE CRIMES THE SAME WAY.

DON'T ASK ME.

ASK THE CITY OF TULSA AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE AND THE POLICE AND THE CHAOS THAT HAS ENSUED.

I'M NOT GOING TO FEDERALIZE EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE ALL ONE STATE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE SET OF RULES REGARDLESS OF YOUR RACE, HERITAGE OR WHERE YOU LIVE.

WE CAN'T TREAT DIFFERENT RACES DIFFERENTLY.

AGAIN, A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPONENT.

HE WAS FOR FEDERALIZING EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

SHE THINKS YOU SHOULD HAVE TWO SETS OF RULES.

SHE THINKS PEOPLE WITH NATIVE HERITAGE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES AND EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD.

I FUNDAMENTALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

AN ENDORSEMENT YOU RECEIVED FROM THE TRIBES.

WHAT DID THAT FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU LEARNED THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> IT IS HUMBLING, TRULY AN HONOR, AND IT IS HISTORIC.

THERE IS OFTEN -- THERE IS -- SOMETIMES DIVISION WITHIN THE 39 SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATIONS IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT WAS UNPRECEDENTED IS THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE FIVE MAJOR TRIBES, AND OTHERS, THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SAY, WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER AS PARTNERS, GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT WITH RESPECT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY.

>> NOW, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT WILL BE EASY OR DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE McGIRT SITUATION GOING ON.

IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT, HOW DO YOU TACKLE THAT ISSUE WITH THE TRIBES?

>> SO, THERE IS NEED FOR A COMPACT.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.

IN FACT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AT THE TIME, HAD ALREADY PREPARED AND DONE THIS WORK, AND IT DOES INVOLVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS GOVERNOR BURNED BRIDGES EARLY ON WITHOUT THE RESPECT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND WASN'T ABLE TO WALK OVER THOSE BRIDGES HE BURNED.

WE CAN FIND A WIN-WIN TO MAKE OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES SAFE AND TO HAVE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE JURISDICTION OF THESE CRIMINAL MATTERS SO THIS CAN BE SOMETHING THAT IS VERY CLEAR THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SEE A GOVERNOR WHO IS WASTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN UNWINNABLE LAWSUITS THAT ARE COSTING OKLAHOMANS D.C. LAWYER RATES AT $800 TO $1200 PER HOUR TO FIGHT WITHIN THE STATE.

THIS IS A MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE SETTLED THROUGH COMPACTS WITH THOSE AFFECTS TRIBES, AND I WILL BE AT WORK TO DO THAT WITH THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH CRIME RATE IN OKLAHOMA.

HOW DO WE GET AHOLD OF THAT?

YOU SAY YOU BACK THE BLUE; YOU'RE FUNDING POLICE.

WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO PROSECUTE ALL BAD GUYS.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP -- WE'RE GOING TO BE A LAW-AND-ORDER STATE.

WE'RE GOING TO FUND OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS APPROPRIATELY.

AT THE SAME TIME, WHEN I TOOK OVER, WE WERE LAST PLACE IN INCARCERATION RATES IN OKLAHOMA.

I'VE CLOSED DOWN TWO PRIVATE PRISONS.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW IN LOWEST RECIDIVISM RATE, THAT MEANS PEOPLE GOING BACK INTO PRISON, WE'RE LEADING THE COUNTRY IN FEWER PEOPLE GOING BACK INTO PRISON.

WE'VE DONE SOME GREAT POLICY ITEMS TO DO SOME SECOND CHANCES.

AGAIN, THIS IS WHERE MY OPPONENT TRIED TO MAKE THIS AN ISSUE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL BE A LAW-AND-ORDER STATE.

IF YOU NOTICED, I GIVE ALL OF OUR LAW AND ORDER ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED, ALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BLOCK UP THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE AFRAID OF AND GIVE SECOND CHANCES TO PEOPLE MAYBE WE'RE JUST MAD AT.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO FACE FACTS AND STAY ON TOP OF DATA AND NOT IGNORE AS YOU SAW OUR GOVERNOR SCOFF AT THE FACTS.

IT IS UNDER HIS WATCH THAT WE HAVE A CANNABIS/MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY THAT HAS BAD ACTORS.

HE DID NOT STEP INTO OFFICE AND ADDRESS THE NEED TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

WE DO HAVE COMMUNITIES -- I WAS IN A DINER A RURAL OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY AND ASKED SOME DEA AGENTS THAT, HAVING COFFEE THERE NEXT TO ME.

I ASKED, IS IT TRUE WHAT WE HEAR ABOUT CHINESE AND RUSSIAN MAFIA BEING HERE BECAUSE OF UNCHECKED AND REGULATION AND LAWS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PUT IN PLACE TIMELY?

THEY AGREE, YES, IT IS TRUE.

WE ARE BATTLING AN OUT OF CONTROL MEDICAL MARIJUANA BAD GROWERS.

THERE ARE GOOD GROWERS THAT NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

BUT WE KNOW THIS IS ALSO A GOVERNOR THAT ON HIS WATCH AND TIED TO CRIME IS THE SALE, ALSO, OF MORE FOREIGN-OWNED -- IN FACT, 1.5 MILLION ACRES OF FOREIGN-OWNED INTEREST LAND HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S ALL PART OF HOW DO WE PROTECT RURAL OKLAHOMA?

AND IT IS A KEY PART OF MY FOCUS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLLING.

EVERYONE IS WATCHING THE POLLS IN THIS RACE.

NATIONALLY, EVERYONE IS WATCHING THE POLLS IN EVERY RACE BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE FOR AMERICA.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE POLLS THAT HAVE JOY HOFMEISTER CREEPING UP ON YOU OR BEING AHEAD OF YOU IN THE POLLS?

>> YOU KNOW, THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS IS WE'RE ALL GOING TO KNOW ON NOVEMBER 8th BECAUSE IT WILL BE UP TO OKLAHOMANS TO VOTE.

I BELIEVE I STAND WHERE OKLAHOMANS STAND.

WE DO NOT WANT TO GO BACKWARDS.

THE TURNAROUND THAT OKLAHOMANS ELECED ME TO DO FOUR YEARS AGO, IT'S WORKING.

I BELIEVE THAT OKLAHOMANS OVERWHELMINGLY WILL SUPPORT ME ON ELECTION DAY.

SO, I DON'T PUT MUCH CREDENCE IN POLLS.

I DON'T POLL BEFORE I MAKE DECISIONS FOR OKLAHOMANS.

I KNOW WHAT OKLAHOMANS ARE THINKING AND WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR STATE.

WE WANT TO BE A TOP 10 STATE IN EVERYTHING WE DO.

WE BELIEVE IN SMALLER GOVERNMENT, LOWER TAXES, TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES.

THAT'S HOW I'M GOING TO LEAD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING IT OUT THERE, SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPONENT.

I'M HAPPY WITH WHATEVER OKLAHOMA DECIDES.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO POLLING, SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

THEY FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND THERE'S BEEN CRITICISM, SOME OF THE DEALINGS THEY SEE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, HERE'S THE DEAL.

WE'VE AUDITED MORE STATE AGENCIES THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNOR.

WE HAVE GOT THE LARGEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT IN STATE HISTORY.

I HAVE LOWER TAXES.

I'M TRYING TO GET A GROCERY TAX DONE FOR OKLAHOMANS.

PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES OR HAVE A LOWER INCOME SPEND MORE MONEY ON GROCERS THAN THE HIGHER INCOME.

I WILL HOLD EVERY VENDOR ACCOUNTABLE, EVERY STATE AGENCY AS LONG AS I'M GOVERNOR.

>> AGAIN, SUSAN CADOT DOING A GREAT JOB WITH ALL OF THOSE INTERVIEWS.

WE COMING UP, A PROJECT IS UNDER WAY IN OKLAHOMA TO BUILD A MULTI-STATE PIPELINE TO CAPTURE CARBON AND CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE'VE GOT ALL THE DETAILS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT THE DEL CITY ARMED SERVICES PARADE, PHOTOGRAPHED BY THE MULTI-TASKING JASON DOYLE AND EDITED BY THE MULTI-TALENTED LUIS RENDON.

IF YOU ENJOYED OUR NEWSCAST, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY WELL AND STAY TUNED TO O.E.T.A.!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ O.E.T.A.

!CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM