The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

July 21, 2010

Experience makes Ryan Leonard a solid AG choice in upcoming GOP primary

Two men touting their conservative credentials will be on Tuesday’s Republican ballot for Oklahoma attorney general.

Ryan Leonard and Scott Pruitt will vie for their party’s nomination to replace Drew Edmondson, who has been attorney general for 16 years. The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Jim Priest in November.

We urge Republicans to vote Tuesday for Leonard.

While both candidates have strong conservative values, there are differences in their backgrounds.

Leonard has valuable experience as a prosecutor in Canadian County and has tried cases in both state and federal courts. That’s important because the attorney general is, first and foremost, the state’s attorney. Solid legal advice, effective prosecution and strong ethical standards are far more important in our next attorney general than sharp political rhetoric and grandstanding.

The attorney general also must be a champion for transparency and openness in government throughout the state, a role where education and information can be as powerful as litigation.

Leonard was born and raised in northwest Oklahoma, where he gained his work ethic and values and became an Eagle Scout. He seems less caught up in the glamour of statehouse politics than Pruitt, a former state senator and unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor four years ago.

Leonard and Pruitt share similar views on immigration enforcement, state’s rights and other key issues.

Pruitt, from Broken Arrow, gained much of his political experience as a state legislator and 2006 candidate. Leonard worked four years in Washington, D.C., for U.S. Sen. Don Nickles, serving as the senator’s chief aide for issues involving agriculture, transportation, the federal judiciary, natural resources and Indian affairs.

Ryan Leonard has the experience to be Oklahoma’s next attorney general. We urge Republicans to vote for him Tuesday.

Text Only
Opinion
Featured Ads
AP Video
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is... Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty' Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore. Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
NDN Video
Super Bowl ads: The best and the worst Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady' Gisele's Super Bowl Potty Mouth Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase Randy Travis Arrested Ping Pong Baby Phenomenon LeAnn Rimes Recovers From Surgery Katy Perry Kisses a Boy at Pre-Super Bowl Concert Raw Video: Blast Kills Utah Mom's Husband, Kids Online OT: Super Bowl XLVI recap Airbag saves snowboarder from avalanche Super Bowl 2012 Security Measures Raw Video: Santorum Visits Sweater Vest Factory Interview with Ron Paul SB XLIV: Playmate Picks Demi Moore Is in Rehab SB XLVI: Game Preview Karina Smirnoff's Bikini Body Romney Takes Strong Lead in Nevada GOP Victory
Seasonal Content
House Ads