Got this in the email box today...
McGowen to Wesselhoft: Come back to Oklahoma
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Dustin McGowen (405) 834-6335
MOORE, Okla. – Dustin McGowen, candidate for the State House of Representatives, is calling on his opponent, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, to return to Oklahoma for the election.
Wesselhoft is expected to leave for Chicago today, four days before the primary election, to attend the American Legislative Exchange Council's annual meeting. However, the conference doesn't begin until one day after the election.
"I'm outraged that he would abandon this campaign for a vacation in Chicago. He doesn't take this campaign seriously, just like he wastes our time at the State Capitol," said McGowen.
According to public records, only about 2 percent of Wesselhoft's bills have become law.
Wesselhoft has been planning to attend the conference since at least June 3, when he purchased registration. He is using campaign funds to attend the conference, spending at least $652 on registration and airfare, according to campaign expenditure documents.
"It's appalling that he would use campaign funds to attend this conference," said McGowen. "I guess it's good that he's received thousands of dollars from lobbyists and PACs, otherwise he'd have to watch election returns from home instead of the Chicago Sheraton."
McGowen's watch party will be at Dale's BBQ in Moore. McGowen works there to help pay for his senior year of college.
Showing posts with label Dustin McGowen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dustin McGowen. Show all posts
Friday, July 25, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Will District 54 choose change or experience?
MOORE — The candidates for state House District 54 agree that age and experience are important issues in this month's primary. But each Republican candidate thinks the 39-year age difference between them works in his own favor.
Incumbent Paul Wesselhoft, 60, says his experience in life and as a two-term state representative are what makes him the better choice. His challenger, Dustin McGowen, 21, counters that his youth will bring a fresh approach the Legislature's needs.
McGowen says Wesselhoft gained his experience in a broken legislative system; he's only experienced in doing things the wrong way.
"I can bring new solutions to old problems, but still maintain the conservative values the citizens of District 54 hold dear to their hearts,” he said.
Wesselhoft says McGowen can't understand what his constituency needs without gaining more life experience first.
"I'm a retired U.S. Army Airborne Ranger,” Wesselhoft says. "I spent seven years with the state Department of Health. And only then did I run for public office.”
What they agree on
There are least some issues on which the candidates agree. Each advocates smaller government and lower property taxes.
Wesselhoft says he'd like older residents of his district to not have to pay property taxes.
"I'm not sure what that age is,” Wesselhoft said. "But at some age, by golly, in the United States you ought to be able to own your own home and the government should stop taxing you on it.”
McGowen points to new homebuilding in the Oklahoma City area, saying new growth can support a 2 percent reduction in property tax rates.
"If you're widening your tax base, you're getting more revenue, and there's no need to keep the tax rate the same,” McGowen said.
No Democrat or independent candidate filed to run for the post, so the winner of the July 29 primary will be elected to office.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Dustin McGowen on 10pm KWTV - JULY 11, 2008
Dustin McGowen, running for Oklahoma House 54 on 5pm KWTV
Dustin McGowen on 5pm KWTV - JULY 11, 2008
Dustin McGowen, running for Oklahoma House 54 on 5pm KWTV
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Student-waiter seeks office, saying it's time to get involved
Student-waiter seeks office, saying it's time to get involved
A young Moore man wants to go from the pancake house to the statehouse.
IHOP waiter Dustin McGowen said he wants to offer an unconventional idea this election year that he says Republicans, like him, don't often promote: change.
"Just because I'm a Republican doesn't mean I can't change things,” said McGowen, 21, who filed for House District 54 on Tuesday.
He said he's running because "there's never been a better time for young people to get involved in our state's political process.”
For McGowen, change would mean debating on the floor of the state House of Representatives rather than taking orders at the local IHOP.
McGowen said he knows from personal experience how the nation's struggling economy affects Oklahomans. McGowen waits tables and has another job to pay for rent, food and a final year at Northeastern State University, where he studies political science.
Interest began at age 11
A longtime political junkie, McGowen said he was first bitten by the political bug at 11 years old when he became enamored with former President Clinton's impeachment hearings in 1998.
Incumbent Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, filed Monday to defend his seat.
Wesselhoft, 60, said Tuesday that he didn't know of McGowen's candidacy, but "it means I'll have to do some fundraising and work hard.
"I will take every candidate seriously,” said Wesselhoft, chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee.
In a year where change and youth are at the forefront of the Democrats' political stage, McGowen said those qualities aren't solely for liberals.
"Younger people — people who don't necessarily have as much experience — can benefit our state by offering new solutions to old problems,” McGowen said. "I don't have to look at things through the glass of how things have been done before.”
International House Candidate Of Pancakes
OK state House candidate/waiter Dustin McGowen (R) "said he wants to offer an unconventional idea this election year" that GOPers "don't often promote: Change." McGowen: "Just because I'm a Republican doesn't mean I can't ...
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