Could Oklahoma be the next Iowa?
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Think "presidential primary," and Iowa immediately comes to mind since the state weighs in first with its picks. But what if instead of Iowa, it was Oklahoma?
"So Oklahoma is throwing our hat in the ring and we’re applying," said Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
Applying to be part of the shakeup that the DNC is undertaking as they look to put a fresh perspective on the presidential primary process. Cause right now when it comes to Oklahoma...
"We’re just lumped in on Super Tuesday and what we’re trying to do is get in early," she said.
Early could translate into more people turning out to vote if they knew the rest of the country was waiting to see what we think.
"It is my hope, the reason why I’m applying is I want to generate more interest in just the general population in Oklahoma in participating in the presidential process," she said.
As for her hopes of getting the Republicans on board with the plan?
"They don’t have to go along with it, but because it’s attention on our state I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t," she said.
"I’m very comfortable with Super Tuesday," said Ronda Vuillemont-Smith, Chair of the Tulsa County Republicans. She says there's nothing wrong with the way things are now.
"Back in 2012 when we had Santorum and Gingrich and I mean everybody came into Oklahoma because it was a Super Tuesday primary," she said.
Democrats could go it alone if the state legislature approves it. And if not Iowa, Andrews would be happy to place in any of the other top five pre-Super Tuesday positions.
"It would be awesome if we could have the first position but I’m willing to take any of the first five positions," she said.
"I don’t see it happening Burt, I really don’t," said Vuillemont-Smith.
