Candidates Focus on Issues in VOICE Accountability Session
“All four candidates for the Oklahoma House District 88 race — three Democrats and one Independent — appeared earlier this month at a [VOICE] candidate forum at [member institution] First Unitarian Church.
“The district, just north and west of downtown Oklahoma City, is culturally diverse and features a mix of locally owned businesses, 2SLGBTQ+ supportive businesses and an Asian cultural district. It encompasses a constituency of highly engaged residents, and part of that is a result of past dynamic representation, said the Rev. Lori Walke, [VOICE leader] and senior pastor of Mayflower United Church of Christ.
“Walke pointed to lawmakers such as Rep. Mauree Turner, the state's first non-binary legislator who decided not to run for reelection to her District 88 seat this year due to health issues. Turner, first elected in 2020, is Black and Muslim.
“‘These are neighborhoods that expect to be heard and responded to,’ Walke told The Oklahoman.
“Local grassroots organization Voices Organized In Civic Engagement (VOICE) hosted the forum and framed questions from stories they've heard in their listening sessions. . . .”
