Editorial: Shane Saunders best choice in Tuesday GOP runoff
BY World's Editorials Writers
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
8/22/12 at 3:52 AM
Republicans in District 70 will decide Tuesday who will represent all of the district in the state House of Representatives. Two Republicans, Shane Saunders and Ken Walker, are on the runoff ballot. There is no Democrat or independent in the race.
Saunders is clearly the best choice in the race and for District 70. Saunders is a lifelong Tulsan and an alumnus of Bishop Kelley High School. He received undergraduate degrees at Washington and Lee University and returned home to receive a master's degree in business administration from the University of Tulsa.
Establishing his own successful oil and gas exploration and production company, Trident Energy Inc., gives him sound business experience. Saunders, 31, is married with a 1-year-old daughter. Both he and his wife have been active in philanthropic causes.
District 70 generally runs from 21st to 81st streets between Lewis and Harvard avenues, with a triangular extension east of Harvard to near 31st Street and Memorial Drive. It is a solid Republican district. The seat was held by Ron Peters, who had to relinquish the office due to term limits.
Saunders understands that he represents all of this district, not only Republicans. He is bright, articulate and enthusiastic about serving his constituents. He also has that important and too-rare ability to listen to opposing viewpoints.
Saunders finished second by only a few percentage points to Walker in the June 26 primary. Only 4,100 of the district's 14,000 Republicans showed up at the polls. Runoffs traditionally draw even fewer voters than primaries. That makes every vote for Saunders an important one.
Saunders says that, if elected, he will champion the cause of education. He says a standstill budget for education is not good enough.
Tuesday's vote is important for the district and for the state. Republican voters in District 70 ought to go to the polls and elect Shane Saunders to the House of Representatives.
Original Print Headline: For Saunders
