The three candidates for lieutenant governor in Oklahoma can agree on one thing, and that’s the need for more jobs in the state.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, and Richard Prawdzienski, Ind-Edmond, will be on the ballot Nov. 2 to replace Lt. Gov. Jari Askins.

Corn said he doesn’t want more minimum wage jobs in Oklahoma, but he wants to focus on getting higher-wage jobs.

“No matter where you live, there is the need for good jobs,” Corn said. “I have worked with CEOs to help the state of Oklahoma in my senate district for Oklahoma to bring jobs to the state.”

Prawdzienski wants to bring more jobs to the state, but he said every one of the 50 states wants to bring in jobs. He is proposing an end to tax incentives used to lure companies to the state.

“I want our citizens to create their own jobs instead of having the government bring people in for development,” Prawdzienski said. Lamb said he supports public policy to strengthen Oklahoma businesses and recruit additional companies to the state.

“In Oklahoma we expect to beat Texas football, but I think it is time to beat Texas in job retention and job growth,” Lamb said. “I have stood up and supported small business and legislation in economic development.”

All three candidates are running for different reasons.

Prawdzienski said state lawmakers are not listening to the citizens, and he thinks running could shake up the political scene in Oklahoma.

“It’s tough, but the last time I looked, about 30 percent of the voters haven’t decided yet on lieutenant governor,” Prawdzienski said.

After conducting an economic analysis of the state, Lamb said he decided to run.

Lamb looked at per capita income of surrounding states to how see how Oklahoma stacks up.

“We really need to focus on job retention, job improvement and tourism in the state,” Lamb said.

Corn is running to educate a workforce to bring jobs to the state, he said.

“I also believe that I am not from a political family, but an average Oklahoma family, and that brings a unique perspective to the job,” Corn said.

Both Corn and Lamb have a history in Oklahoma politics.

Corn served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1998 to 2002 and is currently serving term-limited in the Oklahoma State Senate. Lamb
has also been an Oklahoma State Senate member since 2004 and is serving as the first Republican Majority Floor Leader in state history.

Prawdzienski received his MBA from Oklahoma City University and said the state is locked in a stand still.

“Both sides are pushing so hard that it is actually stopping the state from moving forward,” said Prawdzienski. “In order to move forward, the Republicans and Democrats will have to recognize what citizens want.”

Job description:

» The lieutenant governor’s function is similar to the U.S. vice president, serving as governor when the chief executive officer leaves the state, becomes incapacitated or resigns. He or she serves as Oklahoma State Senate president, casts a vote in the event of a tie and presides over joint sessions of the state Legislature. The lieutenant governor serves a four-year term of office and has no term limitation.

*Source: ok.gov