By ELY NOBLE
Senior Reporter
Woods County elections are drawing near, and voters are getting ready to make key decisions across offices, including the race for county sheriff.
Two candidates are running for sheriff positions: Randy McCullough, a Republican, and Keith Dale, an Independent.
Both candidates bring different perspectives and priorities to the table, giving voters options for how law enforcement in their county should be handled.
Randy McCullough, a seasoned law enforcement officer with over 20 years of experience, is running on a platform of public safety and community policing.
McCullough believes that a strong connection between law enforcement and the local community is key to reducing crime.
“One of my main goals is to make sure that out officers are out there working with the people they serve,” McCullough said. “We need to invest in the right tools and training for our deputies to do their jobs effectively.”
McCullough is also pushing for an increase in funding to better equip the sheriff’s departments technology.
“We need to make sure our officers have the tools they need to keep the people safe,” McCullough said.
Keith Dale, the independent candidate and current undersheriff in Woods County, offers a different approach putting his focus toward justice reform and rehabilitation for non-violent offenders.
Dale said he believes the current system needs to change in order to reduce the number of offenders who repeat and provide people with opportunities to rebuild their life.
“We need to move away from simply locking people up and throwing away the key.” Dale said. “There are many cases where rehabilitation, rather than punishment, is the right solution.”
Dale also stressed the importance of fairness in law enforcement.
“My focus is on ensuring that justice is served in a way that treats everyone equally, regardless of their background,” Dale said.
While the county sheriff race has gained a great deal of attention, it’s only one of contests on the ballot this year.
Another critical statewide race is for Oklahoma’s Corporation Commission, which regulates utilities, oil and gas industries.
The candidates for this role include Republican Chad Williams, current Commissioner J. Brian Bingman, and Harold D. Spradling, who is running as an Independent.
Chad Williams is focusing his campaign on modernizing the state’s energy policies and ensuring fair rates for consumers.
Current commissioner J. Brian Bingman, has a record of balancing the needs of Oklahoma’s energy industry with regulatory oversight, positioning himself as an experienced leader in this field. Harold D.
Spradling, on the other hand, is aiming to challenge the current system and bring new ideas for managing Oklahoma’s utilities and resources.
Election day is set for Nov. 5, with early voting beginning on Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.
Voters are encouraged to learn about the candidates and issues before heading to the polls.
