Drew Edmondson in Past and present Governor candidates from Oklahoma


On Abortion: No state in women's decisions regarding reproduction

A Republican forum asked in a survey if each candidate would sign legislation banning all abortions except in the cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Drew Edmondson, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, did not respond to the group's survey. Edmondson's campaign manager said last week, "Drew believes in health care access for all Oklahomans. That includes women's decisions regarding their own reproductive health. Those decisions are intensely personal and should not involve the Legislature."

Two years ago, Gov. Fallin signed bills with abortion restrictions that were later struck down. One bill would have required a physician to perform an ultrasound test using either a vaginal probe or an abdominal transducer and explain to the woman what the ultrasound was depicting. Another would have required doctors at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

Source: Press-Reader on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Jul 15, 2018

On Homeland Security: Services for veterans instead of for corporate donors

"Our legislative leaders still have a chance to set Oklahoma back on solid financial footing to fund education, health care and services for veterans," Edmondson said. "If they aren't willing to stand up to their corporate donors and their corporate lobbyists and do what's right, I said in July 2017 that as governor, I'll put a plan before the people and let them vote to secure these critical services and put Oklahoma back on track."
Source: Tulsa World on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Jun 4, 2018

On Immigration: Don't back federal government deporting DREAMers

Democratic candidate Drew Edmondson said that he would see no compelling reason to help the federal government deport so-called "Dreamers" if he is elected governor. "I don't know if that's still going to be an issue in January 2019 or not, but that is an area where I would see no compelling reason for the state of Oklahoma to assist federal authorities in taking action that we might not feel is just," Edmondson said at a forum on the campus of the University of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Mar 8, 2018

On Government Reform: Blames revenue shortfall on corporate donors and lobbyists

Edmondson said he will "put Oklahomans first and take on the outside interests and partisan politicians who are trying to hurt our way of life." He said the legislature had a chance to set Oklahoma back on solid financial footing but the state has been hit with its 4th straight year of revenue shortfall. "If they aren't willing to stand up to their corporate donors and their lobbyists and do what's right, I'm prepared to put a plan before the people and let them vote," he said.
Source: Sequoyah County Times on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Mar 7, 2018

On Technology: Use tobacco settlement to fund school technology

While serving as AG, Edmondson was one of 8 attorneys general to negotiate a settlement with tobacco companies. He then led efforts to establish the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, which protected the settlement money and ensured it can only be spent on public health.ĸ He negotiated a settlement in 2001 with then Southwestern Bell to establishĸ the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust. The trust has invested more than $12 million in technology and training into Oklahoma schools.
Source: Sequoyah County Times on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Mar 7, 2018

On Drugs: Backs new drug law making possession of drugs a misdeameanor

Edmondson said recent drug law changes by 2 state questions make simple possession of drugs a misdemeanor--even a 2nd or 3rd offense. "So people's whose offense that is the simple possession of marijuana are not going to be prison eligible," he said. "Now possession with intent or actual distribution--that's another matter. It's the DA's discretion as to whether to file that as a felony." Edmondson said such measures will eventually help reduce the prison population.
Source: Edmond Sun on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Feb 20, 2018

On Crime: Remove profit motive from the prison system

Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates on Tuesday slammed the state's incarceration rate--and its reliance on private prisons--at a forum that also focused on education, health care and the budget. Democrat Drew Edmondson said it was "immoral" to have a profit motive connected to incarceration. The state is spending 10 times as much to keep people in prison as it would to treat them, he said.
Source: Tulsa World on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2018

On Abortion: Supports abortion rights for women, part of his platform

Drew Edmondson, a former prosecutor and four-term Oklahoma attorney general from one of the state's most well-established political families, announced Monday he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018. A supporter of the death penalty and abortion rights for women, Edmondson served for 16 years as the state's attorney general before running for the state's open governor's seat in 2010. He lost the Democratic primary race against then Lt. Gov. Jari Askins by less than 1%.
Source: KOCO News5 on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race May 1, 2017

On Environment: As AG, created the Environmental Protection Unit

In 1996, Edmondson created the Environmental Protection Unit to provide agencies with specialized legal advice and representation on environmental issues. Since then the unit has filed lawsuits and drafted numerous AG opinions on environmental issues, including biomedical waste, discarded tires, animal-feeding operations, groundwater use, county zoning authority, solid waste and wildlife issues.
Source: Tulsa World on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Jan 9, 2011

On Gun Control: Long history of being an advocate of the Second Amendment

"The right to keep and bear arms is a crucial part of our history. Resources attacking that right would be better utilized to promote responsible gun ownership and to educate our children about firearm safety," said Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who joined the effort to uphold the Second Amendment.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Jun 27, 2008

The above quotations are from Winners and Losers
Gubernatorial candidates from Oklahoma.
Click here for other excerpts from Winners and Losers
Gubernatorial candidates from Oklahoma
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Page last updated: Aug 13, 2018