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Republican voters in southeast Tulsa's House District 79 will decide June 26 whether to retain incumbent Rep. Weldon Watson or go with Tulsa Public Schools board member Lois Jacobs.
With no Democrat or independent filing for HD 79, the GOP primary will determine the winner of the seat.
Watson, 64, is a three-term incumbent and chairman of the House Republican Caucus. A former television newsman and ONEOK executive, Watson is retired.
Jacobs, 61, is a dental anesthesiologist who was elected to the Tulsa school board in 2010.
She has been criticized during her time on the school board for abstaining from votes, avoiding meetings with parents and district administrators and a general lack of participation, although that pattern has changed in recent months, according to news reports.
Jacobs was elected to the school board and is being touted for the Legislature by tea party groups.
Jacobs said she is particularly concerned about regulations on stormwater management being formulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
"As the stormwater falls from the sky, you and I will be overregulated," she said. "How you handle your storm runoff, your rain, will affect every city, state, county and you. However you have your water put away at your house, it will affect you."
The EPA is developing rules for "integrated" stormwater planning involving local, state and federal authorities.
Jacobs said she also is concerned about "normal legislative issues," including prisons and public safety.
Watson said some constituents he's heard from were "a little frustrated" by the last legislative session, but he said, "I don't know that anyone is all that unhappy."
He said he's had only a few calls, and most of those have been related to education.
Watson said his pitch for re-election is pretty simple.
"I've served now for six years," he said. "I'm part of the leadership. And my focus ... is what's best for Tulsa and for Oklahoma.
"For me, this is public service time."
Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
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