Two candidates vie in runoff election for Rep. Rhonda Baker's seat

Mike Kelley and Ron Lynch run are in the primary runoff election to fill the seat of outgoing state Rep. Rhonda Baker, a Republican from Yukon.

Lynch said the ranking of Oklahoma’s schools overall was disappointing, adding, “Our school system is a trainwreck.”

He said he wants students to be taught better so they can become successful adults. That comes from getting more transparency in how the Oklahoma State Department of Education allocates its funds. Lynch said the department keeps asking for more money, but already has received large amounts of funding, especially from property taxes and lotteries.

“It’s just a broken machine,” he said. “That’s why I was in favor of the voucher program, because if this public school system isn’t going to change and become a good system for the students, then you’ve got to have other resources for your child to get a better education.”

Lynch said he supports having a county school district system that puts one superintendent and one principal in charge of the school district.

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Kelley said he wasn’t impressed by the low ranking either, adding that everybody has to do better and that’s an expectation. The change won’t happen overnight, though, he said.

“We need to get the key players in a room, and we need to develop a plan to work towards improving our education system,” he said. “That may look completely different than what we’re currently doing, and if that’s the case, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Economy, taxes, infrastructure

Yukon Mayor Brian Pillmore said the city’s primary concern is investing in core infrastructure for a growing city. That includes streets, water systems, wastewater treatment and more, he told The Oklahoman. All of their legislators have been a phone call away, he said.

“One critical area where the state Legislature can assist us, and other communities, is in securing clean, drinkable water,” he said. “Our aquifer has higher-than-allowable levels of arsenic, forcing us to purchase water from Oklahoma City.”

Both candidates said they were aware of Yukon’s needs for infrastructure, though Lynch said he wasn’t aware of the water issue, but he’s willing to work with the city, and that Yukon is “growing like a weed.”

Kelley said he believes legislators should “right size” government, which means concentrating on the core services of government — infrastructure, education and public safety. He’s in favor of helping cities figure out their needs and continuing relationships that past legislators have built.

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“I’m a consensus builder just by nature as an emergency responder for nearly 34 years. You have to be able to build consensus,” he said. “A good idea is a good idea. It doesn’t matter whose idea it is. Conversely, a bad idea is a bad idea, and I’ll work to promote the ideas that best serve my district in our state.”

On taxes, Pillmore said the local economy thrives when hard-working families have more dollars to spend locally, benefiting their family, friends and neighbors.

“If the state of Oklahoma can responsibly manage taxpayer funds and limit government growth, tax reductions are achievable. It is only when the government expands — and the appetite for authority and larger programs increases — that tax levels need to rise,” he said.

Lynch said he likes the concept of cutting sales tax and personal income tax, but he’s cautious about carelessness because it’s usually property taxes that increase.

Kelley said he’d favor more tax cuts, but it will only be achieved by improving efficiency, eliminating redundant systems within the state government, then dollars can be freed up to potentially cut taxes. He’s also concerned about rising property taxes.

“I can promise you, most of the people in the district I represent couldn’t afford their property taxes to go up that much to fund services. I think there’s a balance there,” he said. “As a lifelong conservative Republican, I’m always looking for ways that we can cut taxes and return the people’s money" to them.

About the candidates

Kelley was born and raised in Bethany. He has a wife, four daughters and four grandchildren. He is the executive director of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association and represents about 15,000 firefighters and their families. He and his wife spend time with their family and attend school and sporting events and they look forward to traveling. Church has always been a priority and even though “campaigning is hectic,” they don’t miss a service.

“That’s what grounds us. It’s actually not our campaign, it’s God’s,” he said. He also attributes his decision to run to the advocacy work he’s done on behalf of firefighters and to members of the House Veterans Caucus encouraging him to run.

Lynch is originally from Iowa but moved to Oklahoma in 1979 when he visited his family who lived here and ended up staying. He has a wife and five kids, with six grandchildren. Ron and his wife own Kernels and Kandies, located on Northwest Expressway, where they sell gourmet popcorn, candy and Sweet Home Prairie Fudge.

Lynch said he’s thought about running for the Legislature for a long time, but his family and business have kept him busy. If elected, he’s looking forward to changes.

“We have to stop funding things that need to be fixed. I want to fund things, but you need to fix things,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Two candidates vie in runoff election for Rep. Rhonda Baker's seat