On August 25, voters in Oklahoma Senate District 24—covering parts of Moore and North Norman—will decide which Republican will advance to the November general election. The runoff pits former optometrist Jon Painter against drilling‑industry entrepreneur Robert Keyes, and both candidates have made affordability and education the centerpiece of their campaigns.
Painter focuses on property taxes and insurance costs
Painter, who practiced optometry in downtown Moore for 32 years, says his top priority is easing the financial burden on families. He highlighted three areas: property taxes, rising home‑insurance premiums, and the overall cost of living. “Working on property taxes — looking into insurance rates, why Oklahomans are paying such high rates on their insurance,” Painter told local reporters.
He noted that Oklahoma homeowners are paying more than double the rates of neighboring states, attributing the disparity to hail damage without clear evidence. Painter also shared a personal story about his son’s family buying their first home, using it to illustrate how inflation has driven up housing costs for first‑time buyers.
Older residents are another concern for Painter. He argued that seniors should be able to enjoy their golden years without “pinching pennies.”
Keyes puts education at the forefront
Robert Keyes, who founded a drilling company in 1992, says education is the district’s most pressing issue. “People are sick of Oklahoma being the bottom of the list,” he said, emphasizing a push for stronger STEM programs and better reading outcomes.
Keyes referenced a recent state law that requires public schools to intervene when students fall behind grade‑level reading standards. He suggested Oklahoma look to the “Mississippi Miracle” for ideas, noting that the state secured a federal variance to replace No Child Left Behind with a reading‑comprehension focus.
He also advocated for micro‑credentialing of teachers to specialize in learning challenges such as dysgraphia and dyslexia, arguing that targeted expertise could reduce student turnover.
Both candidates agree on economic pressures
While their policy emphases differ, Painter and Keyes concur that the cost of living is a top concern for constituents. Keyes described parts of central Moore as having “hungry people” who are being squeezed by taxes and insurance costs, and called for legislative action to lighten those burdens.
The runoff will determine which Republican will face Democrat Jonathan Morales and independent Melissa Elder in the November general election. Both parties will be watching the district closely, as its outcome could signal voter sentiment on affordability and education issues across the state.
What voters need to know
The runoff ballot will list Jon Painter and Robert Keyes as the Republican choices. Early voting locations are open throughout Cleveland County, and absentee ballots can be requested through the Oklahoma State Election Board. Voters should verify polling locations ahead of the August 25 election.
For more information on the candidates’ platforms, residents can attend a scheduled town hall in Moore on August 12 or review campaign literature posted on the district’s official website.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
