GEARY – The City of Geary is currently represented in the Oklahoma House by Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, but that’s all set to change next year when redistricting takes effect throughout the state.
That’s when Geary will move over to House District 55 and have a hand in choosing the replacement for incumbent Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, who is term-limited after this session.
One early contender for the seat is Clinton-area farmer and rancher Jeff Sawatzky, a self-described conservative who announced he would file for the race in a news release on Wednesday, Feb. 16. In the release, Sawatzky assails “radical liberals” and says he will “defend the U.S. Constitution, stand for the Second Amendment and fight for the rights of the unborn.”
“I’m a patriot,” he says. “Like President Trump, I know firsthand that putting America First is key to saving our economy.”
According to the news release, Sawatzky is a Bessie volunteer fireman who attends church in Clinton. Bessie is just 10 miles south of Clinton, but Bessie will be in the new HD55 while Clinton will remain in HD57.
Sawatzky says he is a “lifetime member” of the National Rifle Association and the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association who serves on the board of Conservation District 86. His wife Amber is a teacher, and the couple has three children.
“I know that our rights do not come from the government, they come from the Good Lord,” Sawatzky says. “My values will always be a part of how I listen and lead at the State Capitol.”
Sawatzky joins a growing group of western Oklahoma conservatives who model themselves on Trump as they seek to enter state politics for the first time. State Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, has drawn two primary challengers from the right.
Watonga will remain in HD59 after redistricting. Incumbent Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, is seeking reelection while independent candidate Paul Laubach recently announced a run against him.
In Blaine County, Greenfield will serve as the boundary between districts, with everything south of it in HD55 and all areas to the north in HD59.
The new HD55 will span several counties and include Elk City, Carter, Canute, Foss, Burns Flat, Dill City, Cordell, Corn, Hydro, Geary and Calumet.
The filing period for state races is in April.