Message to Rhonda's Constituents

As my campaign begins, I feel energized by a community that has shown me support and has shared with me their needs and desires. We must unite as a community to face the ever-changing challenges that lie ahead. We must understand that we need to listen to every voice in our district, regardless of color, creed or race. I believe that because of the life I have led and the challenges I have overcome, I can be the voice my district needs to guide us into the future.

I am presently the Precinct Chair of Precinct 483. I have worked on several campaigns including being a paid employee of the No on 695 campaign, the campaign against Right to Work. In addition, Jay Parmley, the former Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair, appointed me to the Affirmative Action Committee of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

I believe I am the best candidate to represent my district because I can truly relate to the diverse groups of people that are District 46. This district is unique in its diversity. It incorporates all of Bricktown, downtown Oklahoma City and the surrounding neighborhoods. It encompasses a wide range of socioeconomic classes. It is also home to the Asian community and a large percentage of Hispanics. The average age of my district is forty-five years old. The experience I have gained living in Oklahoma City and this community for the past twenty-nine years has shown me that the best way for me to make a difference is to stand up and be strong for the people in my district, to be a voice for those whose voices continue to be muted.

Because of my life experiences, I can relate to a variety of beliefs and lifestyles, embracing the similarities we share and respecting the differences that are present in our society. In talking to many of my constituents, I have come to realize that they want and need a State Senator who knows what their life is like. I believe I am that person because I have lived through many trials and tribulations and have come out on top.

As a working mother, I know what it is like to go from one week to the next unsure of whether I would have a job. I know what it is like to not know whether I would have enough money to buy groceries and pay my bills.

I am running for State Senate because I am angry that my father cannot afford to pay for his medication and instead, has to go to the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and wait in line to see if they will cover his prescriptions. I am running for State Senate because the economic impact and cost of untreated, under-treated and unserved mental illness, substance abuse and domestic violence is more than $8 billion annually, just in Oklahoma. I want to be a Senator and address this growing and serious problem. I am running for State Senate because I am tired of our state not paying our teachers a competitive salary and, therefore, our children are being crowded into classrooms because there are not enough teachers to teach our children. I am running for State Senate because the status of women in this state is forty-fifth in the nation when it comes to their education level, healthcare and jobs, but we are first in the nation when it comes to the incarceration of women and teen pregnancy.

I am a mother, daughter, sister, friend, minority; I have been a student and an employee; I have struggled and I have known success; I am one of you and I will be your voice at the State Capitol. To be a successful Senator, I believe it takes character, commitment, and courage. I believe I am just the person with those qualities to be the most efficient leader and representative of my district.

Please join me in my run for State Senate and be a part of my message of hope and endless possibilities. I am one of you; let us stand together and help lead Oklahoma into the future. Let me be your voice in the Senate in 2006. I would appreciate your support very much.