Michael McNutt, a reporter with The Oklahoman’s Capitol Bureau, said he thinks this is how the younger generation is going to get interested in politics.

“We get consultants from out of town, out of state, even from Germany. They hold focus groups and tell you, ‘young people aren’t interested in this. They’re interested in these particular stories’…usually entertainment news.

It’s interesting that in Oklahoma, which many people consider not the most progressive state in the country, we have the youngest people running for office.

I think we’re seeing people in their 20′s looking for ways to change the system and a way to change the system is get elected.

If we get younger people elected, I would think we’re gonna see younger people interested to see how they do.”

Join “OU SPJ” on Facebook to view more of the “Election Breakdown” panel discussion with McNutt, Barbara Hoberock with The Tulsa World, and Alex Cameron with News 9.

Stiles’ slogan: “Our political leaders lack common sense and honesty. I’ve got the backbone to change that.”

Hear Collins’ response:

Stiles was scheduled to appear on OU Nightly Oct. 15, but cancelled that morning, stating in an email “Unfortunately, with my busy schedule, I will not be able to make it. Sorry if there is any inconvenience.”

Lt. Gov., Jari Askins (D), and Rep. for district 5, Mary Fallin (R), are competing for the title of Oklahoma’s first female governor. Askins seems to be targeting students more. Will it work?

Aaron Stiles, the Republican candidate running against Wallace Collins (D-45) for the second time, said he lost by a slim margin in ’08 and college students make a pretty big portion of that. However, he said for a state-wide office “if Askins or Fallin can really drum up the votes in Norman, Stillwater, Cameron University and Lawton, that is going to take a whole lot of effort on their part to be able to change the outcome of the votes at a state level.”

Fallin: “I’m targeting everybody…college campuses, various coalition groups, minorities, young and old, Democrat, Republican, Independent.”

Askins: “In ’08 it didn’t escape my attention that…the 18-30 year old group voted better than they had in years past.”

Lawn care and landscaping business owner Kent Hunt is the Republican candidate for District 44 in Norman.

Why should voters vote for you?

I care about this state, and town. I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve been voting since ’78. The politicians we send to OKC don’t have the courage to attack the problems we have in this state. I don’t care if I get reelected, I want to go up there and drag the problems out of light of day and then come back to the people of this district and have them help me address them.

What’s the first thing you’ll do, if elected?

I’ve heard that question so many times. I don’t have a priorities list ranked, but in this state we have too many school districts, incarcerate too many women for nonviolent offenses, we have a DHS that desperately needs to be reformed and supported by the legislature, more field people, and we need to revamp our department of mental health.

Your opponent Emily Virgin has raised almost three times as much as you. (*Correction-over ten times as much.) How will this affect the outcome of the election?

The people in Norman are going to get a lot more mail from her. I’ve been out knocking doors for four and a half months. I’m not sure what the affect will be. They usually say money gives you an advantage.  I happen to believe that message also gives you an advantage.

So what’s your message?

My message is ‘we have got to attack these problems and quit letting the political leaders in our state, in both parties use social issues to drive wedges between Oklahomans that normally would agree on the issues I’ve already outlined briefly at the top.

From Hunt’s website: “In 2002, Kent decided to start his own small business in lawn care and landscaping, which he still owns and runs today. Even as your representative, he will still mow your lawns.”

Second year law school student Emily Virgin is the democratic candidate for district 44 in Norman.

Highlights-

Why did you decide to run in law school?

I was the most inspired. I was involved in a lot of community organizations and really saw the effects of the budget cuts in Norman.

What’s the first thing you plan on doing, if elected?

Top priority-making sure we have more $$ in our general revenue fund…I would do that by trying to get rid of some of the tax credits currently in place.

How’d you raise over $12,000 while still in law school? (*Correction-Over $100,000)

Actually, we’ve raised quite a bit more than that as of now. It’s just calling people you know, getting that first bit of money in the bank and the rest of it kind of just happens.

Repeal the health care law?

I think it would be kind of a waste of time & money…I think legal issues are pretty clear in that case, but I think OK has a good program with Insure Oklahoma where low income families can obtain insurance, so I think there’ s a good alternative in OK to the federal health care legislation.

Do you support SQ 744 (that would require OK to increase spending on education in budget to become closer to other states’ education standards) and would you support what the constituents vote for, regardless?

I can’t give a yes or no because I think it’s more complicated-education is very important to me-but I will support whatever the voters do.

From Virgin’s website: “She is the fifth generation of her family to live in Oklahoma, and wants to continue the family tradition of service. She is employed as a law clerk for a Norman law firm.”