Challengers On The Rise: Democrat And Independent Aim To Unseat Kevin Hern In First District

A Democrat and Independent are running for the First District Congressional seat held by Republican Kevin Hern.

Both of Herns’ opponents believe they can take votes from the Republicans, and both say they believe voters are looking for choices, despite a Republican majority among voters.

Democrat Dennis Baker has the advantage of the two, with the backing of a major party and the familiarity that brings with voters.

“We knew this would be hard when we started out,” he said, at his campaign headquarters near the University of Tulsa, where volunteers were busy assembling packets of information to hang on voter doors this weekend.

Baker is a retired FBI Agent, who said the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol galvanized his decision to run for office.

“I think if we get the issues out to voters and when people go in the booth they're not voting for a d or R, it's Keven Hern or Dennis Baker, we will win,” he said.

Mark Sanders, an Independent, says he’s been able to convince Republicans that they need to consider a moderate.

“They're ready for a change, but not willing to vote for a Democrat to do it. But they are willing to vote for an independent who is America first, a person of faith, to replace Hern,” he said, adding he’s swaying Democrats too. “What I'm hearing from Democrats is that they're tired of losing and they recognize someone in the middle who could draw votes across the spectrum has a chance of winning.”

Baker says he supports a secure border, a higher minimum wage, and unions as a way to build up the middle class. “What we talk about, these aren't Democrat or Republican issues; they are Oklahoma issues.”

Baker's campaign website can be found here, and Sanders' campaign website can be found here.