With the Oklahoma attorney general primary just one week away, Republican candidates Jon Echols and Jeff Starling are making their cases to voters. Echols, a fifth-generation Oklahoman and business owner, spent 12 years in the state legislature, where he helped pass legislation targeting illegal marijuana grows and created the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT).

Candidates’ Backgrounds

Starling, who served as the secretary of energy and environment for Oklahoma, has decades of experience in the private sector as an attorney handling both civil and criminal cases. He emphasized his unique perspective as an outsider and his dedication to leaving a legacy as attorney general.

Echols highlighted his support from law enforcement and conservative groups, saying, ‘I’m the proven conservative that is the law enforcement-backed candidate.’ He also emphasized his experience in the state legislature and his commitment to accountability, particularly in ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent correctly.

Priorities and Goals

Both candidates discussed their top priorities, including tackling illegal marijuana and corruption in government. Starling also emphasized the need to get politics out of the office of attorney general, while Echols focused on holding state government accountable.

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Nick Coffey in the general election. As Echols noted, ‘I’m the one that has the majority of the conservative groups around Oklahoma behind them. My combination of legislative experience, business experience, and legal experience is the right fit for this home state that I love.’

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.