High Gas Prices? Nancy Riley Gives Thanks

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Riley faces 2 GOP challengers for Senate seat
By: BOB LEWIS, Managing Editor

BROKEN ARROW - Megee, Newberry hope to unseat incumbent

In her eight years as a state senator from District 37, Nancy C. Riley has assumed a variety of leadership roles and has established contacts throughout state government. Those two factors, she said, are the primary reason she should be re-elected.

Pointing to the number of elective offices from this area that will be held by legislative newcomers, Riley said it is more important than ever for District 37 to have somebody with a strong, effective, proven voice in Oklahoma City.

That need, she contended, gives her a clear edge over Republican challengers Jan Megee, an employee of the City of Tulsa, and Dan Newberry, a mortgage broker.

District 37 stretches from Sand Springs through Glenpool, Jenks, Bixby and a small portion of southwest Broken Arrow.

Since being elected to the state senate, the former first-grade teacher has been named Democratic caucus whip, gained a voting seat on the National Council of State Legislators and Southern Regional Legislative Council and is a state team leader for business and economic development.

The coming year, she said, will be especially challenging with immigration, roads and bridges and funding for education at the top of her priority list.

"It may sound crass, but thank goodness for high gas prices," she said. "That is what is helping sustain the state's economy."

Political observers say the outcome of the race will play a big role in determining which party controls the upper chamber next year. The senate is tied with 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats.

Riley originally was elected as a Republican, but switched parties in 2006, effectively denying the GOP control of the senate.

According to her campaign Web site, she clashed with Republicans over tactics and the fact some GOP leaders attempted to undermine her campaign for the nomination for lieutenant governor.

After that race was over, she became a Democrat.

Jan Megee said she hopes voters in state Senate District 37 aren't confused by the terms "political newcomer" and "political novice."

As a first-time candidate, she readily admits to being a political newcomer. But as an administrative aid for the Tulsa City Council and with a quarter-century of public service under her belt, "novice" just doesn't fit.

"My job is to serve as the first point of contact for people calling the city council," she noted. "I am responsible for researching questions or problems they have so the council can make an informed decision to get them helped. I have seen and learned a lot about politics and the political system."

Megee said because of the nature of her job, she felt it was important to remain politically neutral to the public. But, after coming to the realization that people shouldn't complain about problems unless they are willing to step up and do something about them, she decided to throw her hat in the ring.

If sent to Oklahoma City, Megee said her top priority will be enhancing economic development by helping make Oklahoma a more business-friendly state.

"I would work to lessen the tax burden on business, especially small business, and do away with the over-abundance of taxes that come disguised as permits to operate," she said.

Also high on her priority list are upgrading the state's roads, highways and bridges and coming to grips with immigration issues.

"The people in this district I visit with tell me they want 1804 upheld," she said. "The real problem here is not immigration but people who are in this country illegally."

Megee noted that funding of education would likely be one of the legislature's toughest challenges.

"I really think we are top-heavy in administration across the state," she said. "I can see the value of consolidating some of the really small districts and I support the concept of vouchers because I think they will make our public schools more competitive and that will be good for everyone."

Dan Newberry is hoping to get started on the second best job he's ever had.

The best he said came in 1989 when he pestered his way into being named batboy for the Tulsa Drillers baseball team. Number 2 on his list would be state senator from District 37.

An Oral Roberts University graduate, Newberry served as a youth minister before entering the mortgage world. He founded Homeland Federal Mortgage five years ago.

If successful in defeating fellow Republican Jan Megee in the July 29 primary and incumbent Nancy C. Riley in the general election, Newberry said he will take a strong business perspective to Oklahoma City.

At the top of his priorities is doing everything possible to reduce taxes by cutting spending and using proven business principals to enhance efficiency.

Attraction of high paying jobs is also a necessity, he said.

"Oklahoma's per capita income is down 2.3 percent, yet our unemployment rate is unchanged," he said. "That tells me we are replacing good paying jobs for those that aren't so good. That trend must be reversed."

As the father of two daughters, Newberry said he is concerned the state ranks at the bottom regionally in teacher pay.

"I am also concerned that half of our high school graduates don't go to college and of those that do, only about 3 percent graduate," he said.

In visiting with Broken Arrow voters, Newberry said the most common comments he hears involve roads and bridges and gasoline prices.

"The state has set aside a lot of money for road work," he said. "The challenge will be in making sure District 37 gets its fair share of those funds."

"I am committed to making that happen," he said.