TAHLEQUAH – In light of a recent spate of endorsements for the president, local residents are on the fence about whether politicians should make them.
Several Republicans have already thrown their hat in the ring for 2024. Former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Gov. of New Jersey Chris Christie, former Gov. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and others who are less well known.
As the announcements have arrived, so have the endorsements. In the Oklahoma legislature, 20 state senators and representatives announced their official endorsement of DeSantis on June 7, including 14th District state representative Chris Sneed – who represents Hulbert, among other areas – and state representative Jon Echols, Majority Leader of Oklahoma. house
“We need a two-term president to eliminate unconstitutional and disastrous policies from Washington, DC, which have strengthened the federal government’s power to pick winners and losers across America,” Echols said in the June 7 news release. “Ron DeSantis has the courageous vision and fighting power to give Oklahomans representation for our conservative cause for eight years, and I’m confident he can deliver the electoral victory we need.”
However, a recent SoonerPoll shows that many Oklahoma Republicans may disagree. He revealed that despite any preponderance of evidence, Trump should not be indicted. Several polls also put Trump well ahead of DeSantis for the nomination.
Sneed did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
On June 10, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt became DeSantis’ first GOP gubernatorial endorsement.
District 9 state Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, said he has no plans to endorse a candidate at this time.
“I think anyone, political or not, has the right to endorse or not endorse the candidate of their choice,” Pemberton said.
State Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, said he also hasn’t endorsed anyone for president.
“The way I see it, it’s very early days,” Culver said. “As for the politicians [making endorsements,] everyone has their opinion and can do what they think is best.”
During a Saturday, June 10 Facebook forum, Tahlequah Daily Press readers were asked what they thought of the recent endorsements and whether state politicians should be considering presidential candidates.
Area resident Betty Eden-Lowrey said she would be happy with just about anyone in DeSantis.
“I really don’t think our state officials should be campaigning for presidential candidates if they can’t even get our state in order,” Eden-Lowrey said.
Eric Swanson said it is the prerogative of politicians at the state level whether they choose to endorse presidential candidates.
“However, a lawmaker’s endorsement has never influenced my decision about which candidate to support,” Swanson said.
Referring to 2nd District Congressman Josh Brecheen and Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s recent endorsements of Trump for president, area resident Kay Casady said “his lick was embarrassing.”
Sara Serrano writes for the Tahlequah Daily Press.
