Official Announcement Speech Text
Press Conference at 10:00 a.m. at the Oklahoma State Capitol
January 26, 2010
Today I am formally announcing my campaign for the United States House of Representatives. Over the past few months we have continued to show progress and support. Six months from now, Oklahomans will vote in our primary to determine the next Republican candidate to follow Mary Fallin. I would be honored to serve as our Representative from the 5th Congressional District of Oklahoma.
A few months ago, I met a man who clearly articulated the frustrations and sentiments that I hear every day from people in Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. He told me that he just wants to go “Back to America”. The America that he recognizes. The America that allowed companies to rise and fall on their own merits. The America that encouraged people to work hard instead of waiting for the next government check or bailout. The America that encouraged every citizen to get involved in their government, instead of leaving them feeling helpless and frustrated.
Each day someone from the President’s office states that this is the worst economy since the great depression. I disagree. This is the worst economy since Jimmy Carter. The solutions that pulled us out of the malaise of the 70′s can be the blueprint for today. Lower taxes and a simplified tax structure. Greater freedom for business to grow and prosper. Stable regulations. Community service. A recognition that states are not identical and they should be allowed to grow and develop uniquely. Above all, a determination to live the principles of our Constitution.
From the earliest days of our union, the House of Representatives was designed to be a large and diverse group of servant leaders who dedicated a season of their life for their district and our nation. After months of prayer, I feel called to serve our state in this role if my fellow citizens choose me. I am not a career politician. I am husband, daddy, co-worker, friend and neighbor.
I am not anti-government. But, I am convinced that government works best when it is limited, efficient and local. I see the world different than the liberal leadership controlling Washington today. They believe that government exists to provide happiness, while I believe that government exists to protect my right to pursue happiness. They believe that government should form the fence around my life to protect me and I believe that our Constitution forms the fence around government to protect me. They believe that government should aggressively fix all of society’s problems, but I believe that too much government sometimes is the source of society’s problems.
President Reagan often said that he did not see left and right on issues, he saw up and down – up toward people being lifted out of oppression and down toward centralized government and dominance.
My wife, Cindy, and I have been married almost 18 years and we have two daughters, Hannah who is 13 and Jordan who is 9. We love being together. This campaign is about the future of my family and yours. Currently my daughters are looking at over 12 trillion dollars in national debt that their generation will have to pay. My grandparents were a part of that greatest generation and they would have never said, “Times are tough. I think we will make like easier for us by taking out a loan on our kids and grandkids.” We must stop spending our children’s future for our own benefit. Proverbs 13 says that a good man will leave an inheritance to his children’s children. As a parent, my task is to make sure my children have all the promises of a better future, not an endless national debt.
I have spent my entire adult life serving people in the private sector where we could not – and would not – run huge deficits. From 1996 until last fall, was the director of the Falls Creek youth camp. Oklahomans should be proud to know that Falls Creek is the largest youth camp in the world. Each summer I worked with 150 of the greatest staff on earth as we served more than 51,000 people. I have dealt with the business and fiscal realities of managing a budget, hired great staff, worked incredibly long hours to get the job done and dealt with the struggles facing our families. I feel that I have a good handle on the real life issues that confront our families and our state.
While some people talk about theory, I have seen face-to-face the issues of our day. While some would say that hope comes from Washington, D.C., I do not agree. Instead of sitting around and waiting for Washington, D.C. to solve our problems, we need to encourage more citizens to get to work and serve their community, state and nation. My first priority is to target the regulations, controls and structures that create our dependence on Washington and systematically eliminate them.
I believe, like many of you, in unique American freedom and exceptionalism. A quarter of the world’s economy comes from the United States. We did not become the greatest economy in the world by acting like the rest of the world. We grew strong by working hard and providing the laboratory for free enterprise to flourish.
I believe, like many of you, that Oklahoma is a strong state because it is a moral and just state. We still care for our neighbors. We still stand up for right and wrong. We still pray and believe in God. I am not afraid to stand up and say in the United States House of Representatives that I am a staunchly conservative pro-life, pro-business, pro-military, pro-energy Republican.
While today is the official announcement of the campaign, I can tell you that I am humbled to stand here representing hundreds of volunteers and over 11,000 people who have already signed up online as supporters of my campaign. While our state has sent many great leaders in the past, I believe that Oklahomans are aware that this is the time to send a conservative citizen legislator again to the United States House of Representatives.
To me, this is not about an election, it is about a cause. There are 435 members of the United States House of Representatives; I am working to become one of them. One member cannot do it alone or quickly. I understand what it takes to work hard and stay at the task. My prayer is that the people of the fifth district would allow me to go to Washington, D.C. to make an impact as their congressman.
