Kendra Horn Took the 5th, But Can She Keep It?

Before the 2018 election the last time Oklahoma's 5th congressional district had a democratic representative was 1975. The guy was named John Jarman and he had held the seat for 25 years. Jarman was what you'd call a democrat in name only. The running joke back in those days of yore was that before he would vote on anything he would give the local arch conservative media mogul, E.K. Gaylord a call to seek out which side of the issue he should be on.

As strange as it might seem now, ages ago Oklahoma was solidly blue, at least in local elections. However, by the 1970's the voting public was making a hard right turn. Jarman might not of been the brightest of bulbs, but he realized the wind was changing. In January of 1975, hoping to save himself, he became a republican. It didn't work. Within a year he knew his goose was cooked, so he retired.

Over the years the district's boundaries have shifted as they all do. For the last decade, or two it has encompassed nearly all of Oklahoma County, which means Oklahoma City, Pottawatomie County to the east, and Seminole County, even further out in the woods.

Then another shift began creep through the district ever so slowly. As Oklahoma City's population grew and became more diverse increasing numbers of voters started casting their ballots for democrats. So much so, even though the seat remained in the hands of republicans, democratic candidates for the office were winning in OKC proper by small margins.

Last year, the worm, as they say, at long last turned. Two time republican incumbent Steve Russell was stunned when he lost to new comer democrat, Kendra Horn. It was a razor thin victory. Horn garnered 50.7% of the vote to Russell's 49.3%. The difference was less than 3,500 ballots.

There were a couple of factors in play during that election. First, Russell--whose main claim to fame was pissing off a bunch of his suburban supporters by not being conservative enough--ran what could best be called a somnambulant campaign. Second, because of Russell's nonchalance and it being a mid term election nearly 42,000 fewer 5th district voters showed up at the polls than they did in 2016.

Congresswoman Horn will not have those advantages in 2020.

Donald John Trump will loom like a great orange whale over next November and his base will be whipped into a frenzy. Ms. Horn has already drawn seven republican opponents and each one of them is a certified rip roaring right wing fire breather.

As of right now they are, Janet Barresi, a former State School Superintendent who lost her bid for a second term in office. Dan Belcher, who is demanding Horn resign if she votes in favor of impeaching the President because, according to him, doing so will violate her oath of office. Plus there is former State Senator Stephanie Bice, who has been endorsed by Oklahoma Right to Life and has received an, "A" rating by the NRA.

Then there is David Greene who bills himself as, "The lean mean freedom fighting machine." He claims stats prove only 0.4% of all American deaths are by firearms while 24% are the result of abortions. David Hill brags he has never held political office before and tells us Horn has ignored the rising cost of American health care while supporting, "socialized medicine." Businesswoman Terry Neese wants to lower taxes--she isn't clear for who--make the borders strong and promote Oklahoma, "values." And finally there is Merideth VanSant who simply wants to defend the second amendment and get, "big government," out of our lives.

There is also talk former OKC Mayor, Mick Cornett might make a run, but he is currently mum on the prospect.

In addition to all the aforementioned yahoos, Horn will have to deal with the Gaylord family's former publication, The Oklahoman. Despite a couple of ownership changes it remains virulently conservative. Periodically the paper likes to run front page stories with headlines such as, "Horn Votes With Democrats," and "Horn Supports Pelosi." Previously, keeping us up to date on the votes of 5th district representatives, at least on page one, wasn't, let's say, a priority for them.

Yes, 2016 might be a difficult year for Kendra Horn to survive. She could well be doomed no matter how she votes on impeachment. After all, just being a democrat will be enough for her eventual opponent to accuse her of Marxist politics and acts of pedophilia in the basements of pizza joints.

Hey, that's how the GOP rolls these days--there are no lies too savage and outlandish to tell. It is a fact of life all of us, including the Congresswoman, are just going to have to deal with.


10-8-19