Pryor Daily Times - "It's A Race Now;' Dorman Runs for Governor

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By Cydney Baron

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Dorman is calling this his CCBB Tour.

"Courthouses, coffee shops, barber shops and beauty shops," Dorman said. "It's where people are the most comfortable chatting about their problems and their ideas for solutions. People are more relaxed in these atmospheres, and willing to speak their minds."

Dorman said he's a local at his hometown coffee shop and people know to find him there to voice their concerns.

His CCBB tour is bringing him to the Mayes County courthouse Aug. 14, at which time he said he hopes to hear from Mayes County on what they want from a governor.

Dorman said there has not been much discussion on the office of governor this election season, a decrease that has been a state-wide trend.

Dorman said the main reason, he thinks, is that early in the campaign season many people didn't think he stood a chance. Recent polls, he said, have showed Gov. Mary Fallin coming in at less than 50 percent.

"Now the focus is shifting. People are starting to see there is a race here. People haven't gotten the chance to get to know me," said Dorman, who added that the office of governor controls appointments to the board of education.

In addition, governors appoint to all state-agencies, boards and commissions and serve as the chief executive officer for the state.

"It is vital we have a governor that will be responsive to the needs of all Oklahomans, that a voice be given to the blue collar people of Oklahoma that need someone to advocate their needs," said Dorman.

Dorman has worked in public service for over 20 years. He began his service to the State of Oklahoma as a mail clerk, then working his way up to an executive staff member at the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Since 2003, he has served as a state representative.

Having grown up in Rush Springs, a rural farming community of about 1,500, Dorman says he understands the needs and interests of people like those in Mayes County.

"Often people that live away from the capitol are over looked," said Dorman. "That's why I want to be the governor for all Oklahomans."

Dorman has been quoted publicly criticizing Fallin's "mission accomplished" mentality and says the work is far from over.

"We have one in six Oklahomans living in poverty and one in four Oklahoma children are going to bed hungry. I don't know how any governor can say we have a healthy economy looking at those numbers," said Dorman. "I support creating a living wage so Oklahoman's don't have to live paycheck to paycheck."

He said there will always be work to do.

"I've always lived by the old adage that we should leave the wood pile a little higher," said Dorman, adding that this means working on quality of care for seniors, including keeping nutrition centers open as well as ensuring that veterans centers are properly staffed with trained personnel.

Another "must" on his to-do item is increasing infrastructure, fixing Oklahoma's roads and bridges. The state must reach budget restraints, he said, and in his opinion Fallin and the current administration have fallen short.

"One thing I'll enforce as governor is transparency in budget discussions. I'll make sure they are done in a meeting room with live streaming video and audio. We require it of municipalities with open meeting acts, so it's only fair that we do the same," said Dorman. "I will not tolerate back room deals."

Another simple solution he says he plans to implement is a monthly meeting of all 149 legislators.

"Currently, they never meet as a group. I want to have a monthly breakfast with everyone, paid for by me, so they can get things off their chest, voice their concerns and give updates. This will keep things in perspective and foster a good working relationship that is vital to Oklahomans getting what they deserve from their elected officials."

Dorman said the current education system, and its funding, are major concerns to Oklahomans. Dorman said he is an advocate of increasing per pupil spending and increasing teacher pay.

"The governor has tried to implement a tax cut for the wealthiest Oklahomans every year and has failed every time. Should the judiciary throw that out, I'd use that revenue for education," said Dorman. "In my Classrooms First proposal, I also propose applying state franchise tax revenue straight to per pupil funding."

Dorman said this would mean an additional $35 million in education funding.

"I believe in common sense legislation to help all Oklahomans," he said.

Dorman said when he was four years old his father was injured and his mother had to quit work to take care of her husband. Their only income, he said, was social security and disability.

"I want to work at the capitol to make sure Oklahomans like that are not run over by the system," said Dorman. "During that time, I never noticed we were poor though, my parents made sure I always had the opportunity to be in scouts and 4-H."

Dorman, who was a national 4-H winner, said it's principles he learned from his 4-H experience that keep him focused as an elected official.

"We have to keep focused and not lose sight of who we are representing," he said.

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