Two candidates on ballot for Oklahoma Senate District 6

DURANT, Okla. (KXII) - Two candidates are on the ballot for Oklahoma State Senate District 6: incumbent Republican David Bullard and Democrat Patrick Southerland.

Candidates discuss their campaigns

Bullard is seeking reelection after eight years in office.

“That last four years of your term are your best. That’s your best chance to get more things done for my constituents. So we are running for reelection to finish up our term to continue to be exactly who I said I’d be,” Bullard said.

Southerland said he wants today’s students to have the same chances he had.

“We are now in the lower epsilon of education and I want that to be the main priority thing of getting it fixed. And I want us to have an education system that our kids can look forward to and grow up to,” Southerland said.

Candidates’ priorities

Bullard said he would continue fighting for constitutional rights and prioritizing infrastructure and water.

“Every town has that same concern right now on fresh water and wastewater infrastructure. It’s insanely expensive and the state needs to step in and help on that. That’s a proper role of government that we can step in and help on,” Bullard said.

Southerland said he would prioritize education and health care by restructuring corporate incentives.

“We have schools that are shutting down. We have health care centers that are shutting down. And I think we restructure where our tax dollars are really being spent. These aren’t going to be shut down,” Southerland said.

Candidates offer this message to voters

Bullard said: “I have done exactly what I said I’d do. I have kept all of my promises and I’ll continue to fight even harder for these last four years your freedoms.”

Southerland said: “Rather than being red and blue, we should really be looking at this as a purple standpoint. That way we can really get what everybody wants done in a way that we truly believe should be the right way it happens.”

Early voting

Early voting begins Wednesday and runs through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.