Registered Republican voters will visit the polls today to decide who will be the State Representative for District 45, which encompasses parts of Oklahoma, Canadian and Cleveland counties.

The run-off election is between Cleveland County native Kyle D. Loveless and retired Lt. Col. Steve Russell.

In the July 29 primary elections, Russell won 41 percent of the vote, nine percentage points shy of the 50 percent needed to win the nomination. Loveless came in second with 27 percent of the vote, according to Russell’s Web site.

Loveless, a local business owner, grew up working and watching his family business grow from a local shoe repair shop to an international manufacturing firm. He graduated from Westmoore High School in 1992 and continued his education at the University of Oklahoma and Georgetown University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in American studies in 2000, according to his Web site.

“I believe Oklahoma’s better days are ahead. We have great potential and it is only through a sound senate that we can implement the changes we need to make Oklahoma reach its potential,” he said.

According to his Web site, Loveless became an adviser to Sen. Ernest Istook, R-Okla. while attending school in Washington and worked on furthering issues such as agriculture and natural resources.

In 2005, he opened Phoenix Consulting, a corporate and political consulting firm that serves small businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies.

“If I were to be elected, I will bring in my experience from my legislative work and my experience as a businessman. I know how reforms will affect our community and how to spend that money to further those goals,” he said.

Loveless said his campaign has three main policy platforms: education reform, transportation reform and a strong stand against illegal immigration.

To reform Oklahoma’s education and transportation systems, Loveless plans to assign money to the appropriate places rather than funding unnecessary bureaucracies.

To combat illegal immigration, Loveless wants to make English the official language of Oklahoma. He believes this will force immigrants to learn American culture and assimilate into American society.

Loveless said he will be glad he ran for office even if he isn’t able to implement his plans at the state capitol.

“This has been a great process of getting to know people in the Oklahoma City, Mustang and Moore areas. I have always been the underdog in this election, and even if I do not win I will not regret the experience,” Loveless said. “I am very appreciative of my supporters and hope to have their vote and more people’s vote at the election.”

Loveless’s opposition in his state Senate race is retired Lt. Colonel Steve Russell of southwest Oklahoma City.

Russell served in the U.S. Army for 21 years. In 2006, he declined a promotion to colonel and retired because he wanted to spend more time with his family, he said.

Russell and his wife, Cindy, have been married for more than 22 years, and they have five children.

After he retired, Russell founded Vets for Victory, an organization that encourages support for U.S. troops overseas, according to the group’s Web site.

Russell said he decided to campaign for the state Senate because he wants to preserve family values in Oklahoma.

“I decided to run for office because I wanted to see if normal people could still serve their community. I have lived in Oklahoma City all my life and I want to help Oklahoma’s families,” he said. “I have been a voter in Cleveland county for over 10 years, even when I was overseas, I cast my vote through absentee ballot.”

Like Loveless, Russell said he intends to take a tough stance against illegal immigration if he is elected to office.

“Three of my five children are adopted. They all came from Hungary with Green Cards and are now American citizens. I believe that is how it should be and that we should stay firm against illegal immigration,” he said.

Russell said that if he is elected, he will be the first Oklahoma Republican politician to have served in the war on terror.

“I intend on bringing integrity and respect back into state politics. I want to represent the best of Oklahoma, our troops and our families,” Russell said.