Republican state Rep. Ken Miller and Democrat Stephen E. Covert are facing each other in the race for state treasurer.

Miller, who defeated former state Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, in the July primary with 63 percent of the vote, said he is most qualified because of his background in economics and his experience working with the state budget.

Miller, 43, of Edmond, is an economics professor at Oklahoma Christian University and chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

“The best education I have had is sitting in the budget office at the state Capitol,” Miller said. “You really have to learn how government operates at every level when you deal with a budget as complex as a $7 billion state budget.”

Covert, 61, of Midwest City, is a certified public accountant and said his accounting experience ensures he looks at the position from a task viewpoint, rather than the political viewpoint of his opponent.

“[Miller is] better at politics than I am,” Covert said. “We just have different perspectives on what’s important.”

Covert’s strategy for the position of state treasurer is to stop giving as much state money to larger, out-of-state banks and instead invest it in Oklahoma banks, he said.

“I want to give the small banks an opportunity to have the state money,” Covert said. “I need money in the state to have economic benefit, and economic benefit means jobs, and jobs mean hope.”

Covert admits the strategy is somewhat risky, and although smaller banks can’t show as big of a return initially, he believes it will work in the state’s favor in the long run, he said.

Miller said he thinks this plan is not very well thought out.

“I don’t think that you should accept an increased risk with a reduced return,” Miller said. “That just sounds foolish to me, frankly.”

Miller’s goal for the office is to maximize taxpayer dollars, which is accomplished by determining the proper role of government, he said. For Miller, the four essential areas for the government to spend tax dollars on are education, public safety, public health and transportation.

“You can’t afford to do everything, and those are four functions that you absolutely have to do, and there’s no way around it,” Miller said.

The state treasurer position is currently held by Democrat Scott Meacham, who chose not to run for re-election.

Meacham, who has served in the position since 2005, has endorsed Miller. The fact that they belong to different parties isn’t a hindrance to his support, Meacham said.

“The state treasurer is really a technical job, not a political job,” he said. “It really ought to be about who’s the best qualified person for the job.”

Job description:

» The state treasurer is the chief custodian of Oklahoma’s cash deposits, bond sales monies and other securities and collateral. He or she directs investments of assets.

*Source: ok.gov