A Republican former state senator with a distinguished military career and a Democratic state senator who is also a military veteran and was the first openly gay person ever elected to the Oklahoma Legislature are seeking Oklahoma's open 5th Congressional District seat in the Nov. 4 general election.
Republican Steve Russell and Democrat Al McAffrey are running for the seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. James Lankford, who is running for the unexpired term of Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, who is retiring.
Russell served in the state Senate from 2008 to 2012 after a more than 20-year Army career. Russell’s candidate web site says he favors free markets, the repeal of Obamacare because it forces purchase of government product, that the right to keep and bear arms is a God-given right, and will oppose any tax increase. He is against Common Core because it is a national takeover of education, will fight abortion and is pro-life as evidenced by his adoption of three orphaned siblings from Hungary. He support expansion of the energy sector, and believes his military experience on the ground and as a delegate to a United Nations Afghan Security Conference will help him protect national security. Russell says he understands the needs of veterans and will protect them.
Russell is owner and founder of Two Rivers Arms, a small rifle manufacturing business that makes copies of the Iraqi Tabuk AK-47. He attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, graduating with a degree in Public Speaking. He also earned his M.A. in military history from the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in 1998. After military service, Russell formed Vets for Victory, wrote a book about the capture of Saddam Hussein, and has toured as a motivational speaker, as well as has appeared on radio and television.
McAffrey was first elected to the Oklahoma House in 2006 and the Senate in 2012 and is a Navy veteran. McAffrey’s web site says he wants to create good jobs, support the middle class, support education and preserve Social Security and Medicare. He wants to reduce the interest rate on student loans. As the father of three daughters, McAffrey says he will support pay equity and paid maternity leave. He wants to ensure veterans are treated with respect, that VA hospitals are more accessible and provide quality care.
McAffrey is a member of the Choctaw Nation, the son of a Baptist minister, and a former OKC policeman. He currently owns and operates OK Cremation & Mortuary Services. He is a board member of the Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network-Oklahoma (RAIN) and is serving on the Advisory Council for the AIDS Walk in Oklahoma City. He is also an active member of the Diversity Business Association.
Three independent candidates are also seeking the seat: Buddy Ray, Tom Boggs and Robert Murphy.
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