Nelson fundraiser set January 16 in OKC

It seems like the last campaign just ended but the next election is less than ten months away and I already have a serious general election opponent who has begun raising money and organizing. My opponent is already working hard and will be well-funded.

I am asking everyone who plans to contribute to my campaign to please join me and Speaker T.W. Shannon this Thursday.  I must raise funds now to be ready to effectively campaign this year. By contributing what you can, you help me demonstrate the strength of our campaign not just in the money raised but in the number of people supporting my efforts.

If you are not able to contribute at the levels listed on the invitation below, please contribute what you can. I’m grateful for any amount and will put your resources to good use as the campaign heats up.

If you are unable to attend but would like to help financially you can mail your contribution to 4117 NW. 58th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Click here to download a contributor statement to complete and return with your support.

The fundraiser is this Thursday, January 16 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

At the home of Gerald and Jane Jayroe Gamble
8200 Waverly Avenue
Oklahoma City

For more information or to RSVP email jasonnelson2014@gmail.com or call 405-641-3255.

Serving as a member of the State House of Representatives has been a true honor for me and for my family. Serving my constituents is a rewarding experience I cherish and look forward to each day. Representing nearly 40,000 Oklahomans in the legislature has been a humbling responsibility I take very seriously. It has made me a better person, and I hope it has made Oklahoma a better place to live. It may sound cliché, but I can’t think of a better way to say it.

Since my election in 2008, I have tried to serve in such a way that while some may disagree with me, they know I work hard and always do what I think is right — not what is politically expedient.

I have spent much of the past five years tackling some of the most persistent and complex challenges in state government. My work on these issues has turned what I expected to be a part-time job into one that is more than full-time. These are not the sort of issues that are easily addressed or that encourage political contributions. That is why I am so grateful for the strong support of so many.

I have focused on championing government reforms that improve our education system, reorganizing our state’s Department of Human Services to help ensure Oklahoma’s children are protected and that the state is not subject to future expensive federal class action lawsuits, and giving parents of special needs children the ability to educate their children as they see fit. I am committed to continue working hard on behalf of Oklahoma’s families.

I am also proud of our efforts to reform the workers’ compensation and tort systems and to modernize our government, making it more transparent and responsive to the public.

I have supported legislation lowering the tax burden on Oklahoma families and businesses. Oklahoma’s unemployment is well below the national average and our Rainy Day Fund is full! Washington could learn a lesson or two from our state.

Nelson Wins! Final Results 55.4% to 44.6%

Oklahoma House District 87 - I received a friendly concession call from my opponent Nick Singer around 10 p.m. Election Day. He ran an aggressive race and was a formidable candidate in a diverse district. 

Thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement. I look forward to continuing the important work I began during the last four years. 

Precinct	Nelson #	Singer #	Precinct #	Nelson %	Singer %
12	785	511	1296	60.6%	39.4%
14	507	300	807	62.8%	37.2%
15	525	323	848	61.9%	38.1%
171	494	472	966	51.1%	48.9%
172	545	510	1055	51.7%	48.3%
176	562	327	889	63.2%	36.8%
177	695	406	1101	63.1%	36.9%
178	491	301	792	62.0%	38.0%
182	207	305	512	40.4%	59.6%
183	479	429	908	52.8%	47.2%
184	465	537	1002	46.4%	53.6%
195	658	661	1319	49.9%	50.1%
Early	174	357	531	32.8%	67.2%
Mail	461	243	704	65.5%	34.5%
Totals	7048	5682	12730	55.4%	44.6%

In 2008, I won with 50.6% of the vote and in 2010 I won with 54.1% of the vote. 

Jason Nelson Campaign Victory Watch Party Planned

Supporters and well-wishers are invited to our Campaign Victory Watch Party after the polls close on Election Day. 

When:
Election Day, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. 

Where: 
OKC Marriott, Suite 1615

3233 N.W. Expressway

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112

Volunteers will be reporting the vote count results directly from the polling locations around House District 87 to the watch party. We will have the final results long before they are reported by the Election Board and the media. Please make plans to stop by and join us for a victory celebration. Thank you for your support!

If you can't make the party but want to follow the results, we will be posting them on this blog and on Facebook and Twitter @jasonnelsonok. We will begin posting precinct results around 7:30 p.m.

Vote early!

The Oklahoman reporting that lines had formed at the Oklahoma County Election Board before early in-person absentee voting opened this morning at 8 a.m. 

You can vote early at the County Election Board office in the county where you are registered to vote from 8 AM to 6 PM on Friday and Monday before all elections.  For state and federal elections only, you also can vote early from 8 AM to 1 PM on Saturday before the election.

Voters in House District 87 can vote early at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4202 Lincoln Boulevard (North of the Capitol).

Election	Early Voting Dates and Hours

General Election	Friday, November 2	8 AM - 6 PM
November 6, 2012	Saturday, November 3	8 AM - 1 PM
	Monday, November 5	8 AM - 6 PM

Is my ID valid for voting in Oklahoma?
FAQs about proof of identity for voting

Nelson Reelection Bid Endorsed by Small Business Group

Oklahoma City -- The National Federation of Independent Business, Oklahoma’s leading small business Association, recently announced its endorsement of my bid for reelection to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

“Representative Jason Nelson has received the endorsement of NFIB Oklahoma because he has a proven record in support of small and independent businesses,” said Jerrod Shouse, NFIB Oklahoma State Director. “Representative Nelson clearly understands the importance of small businesses to the economy of Oklahoma and has shown he will consider the needs of small business in the legislature. We are proud to endorse his candidacy and look forward to working with him in the next legislative session.”

NFIB’s endorsement brings with it the powerful support of thousands of small business owners across the state. “Our members, the independent business owners, know and appreciate the importance of an ally in legislature,” said Shouse.

This endorsement comes from the Oklahoma SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, NFIB’s political action committee. The National Federation of Independent Business bases its political support on candidates’ positions and records on key small business issues.

My wife and I have parents who started and continue to run successful small businesses. Lori and I also have a small business. Small, independent businesses are the backbone of our economy. As a State Representative I believe small business should be protected from high taxes and burdensome regulations. I will continue to be a champion of our state's main economic engine - small, independent businesses that provide the bulk of the jobs in our state. 

I'm honored to have the endorsement of the NFIB - a well respected champion of small business. 

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb Hosts Nelson Fundraiser Tuesday, Oct. 25

Picking-up yard signs

I'm out in the district picking-up my campaign yard signs after the election yesterday. When you're placing them during the camapign it never seems like you have enough signs out. You have a different attitude when it is time to pick them up. Where did all these signs come from?

Jason Nelson Re-election Vote Totals

9,514 total votes cast in House District 87 Race.

5,147 votes    54.1%.    Nelson
4,367 votes    45.9%.    Orwig

Support and volunteer help made the difference - especially in the major surge of activity during the last week. 

Will post more tomorrow after some sleep. 

WIN: Nelson 54% to Orwig 46%

Four of thirteen precincts reporting: Nelson 59.2% to Orwig 40.8%

Polls open for next two hours

If you live in House District 87 please cast your vote for Jason Nelson. This will be one of the closest legislative races in the state.

Friends of Jason Nelson watch party tonight

Please remember to vote and don't forget to stop by our Election Day watch party in Suite 1508 at the OKC Marriott on NW Expressway after the polls close at 7pm. 

Campaign watch party planned, Election results will be posted here

Our campaign watch party is schedule from 7 to 8:30 pm tomorrow, Tuesday, November 2nd in Suite 1508 at the Marriott at NW Expressway and Independence.

Friends and supporters are welcome to attend.

If you are unable to make the watch party you can keep-up with the returns here. We will be posting our election results here as they are called in by volunteers beginning at 7 pm. We will have the results for our race posted here much quicker than anywhere else. Hopefully we will have the final results by 7:45 pm.

Halloween surprise: Late tactics target pro-lifers

By Patrick B. McGuigan at CapitolBeatOk.com

Strongly pro-life legislators, including two with “perfect” answers on the Oklahomans for Life survey of candidates for positions in the state Legislature, have been targeted with late mailers, radio spots and/or television advertisements. The communications which hit Friday and Saturday of last week, were designed to mislead voters about their records on pro-life issues.

One of the state’s leading advocates of pro-life protections, Oklahoma Family Policy Council Executive Director Mike Jestes, issued a statement saying attempts to use his critical analysis of one bill last legislative session were unwelcome and inaccurate.
In statement sent to CapitolBeatOK, Jestes said:

“Oklahoma Family Policy Council regrets the way in which our previous comments, which were internally directed at members of the Oklahoma Legislature, are now being used in partisan, political ways to scare concerned Oklahoma voters about the pro-life values of some very fine conservative, pro-life Oklahoma legislators.

“Unfortunately, many fine state legislators, including Rep. Ann Coody, Rep. Steve Martin, Rep. Jason Nelson, and possibly others, are being incorrectly characterized for partisan purposes as not pro-life.

“Their votes in 2010 over Senate Bill 1902 were about the regulation and control of Oklahoma's equine and animal husbandry industry. There were not then — nor are there now — any documented problems in Oklahoma about veterinary drugs being used for back-alley abortions or date rape.

“The bill in question, S.B. 1902, was later, at our suggestion, amended in the Senate to correct any possible deficiencies and is now consistent with federal law.”

Jestes concluded: “Voters in these affected districts should exercise their common-sense about politics in the last few days before an important election. Check out the records of these legislators directly, or via well-known pro-life organizations like Oklahomans for Life. Don't rely on charges by unknown political action committees. Don't be fooled.”

Rep. Nelson, the incumbent in west Oklahoma City’s District 87, garnered a perfect “pro-life” rating on the 12-question survey of Oklahomans for Life (LINK), as did Ann Coody of Lawton (District 64).

Nelson’s opponent, Dana Orwig, did not answer the pro-life questionnaire; nor did Coody’s foe, Michael J. Corrales. Both Orwig and Corarales are Democrats.

Steve Martin, the Republican incumbent in District 10 (Nowata, Osage and Washington counties), answered 11 of 12 questions in agreement with the Oklahomans for Life survey. His Democratic opponent, Nick Brown, agreed with Oklahomans for Life on ten questions, disagreed on one and did not answer another.

A key critic of S.B. 1902 who asked not to be identified told CapitolBeatOK on Saturday “it was the Dem [Democratic] House Political Action Committee who paid for the brochures.” Veterinarians involved in the fight over S.B. 1902 have also told CapitolBeatOK the mailer is distorted and inaccurate.

In interviews with CapitolBeatOK, Jestes made clear his earlier concerns about legislation relating to misuse of prescription medicines relating to veterinary medicine had been addressed in a series of Senate amendments.

Family Policy Council Answers Bogus Charge From My Opponents

For Immediate Release: Oct. 29, 2010

Contact: Mike Jestes (405) 787-7744, cell (405) 990-5888

Oklahoma Family Policy Council Executive Director Mike Jestes today released this statement about political campaign literature, radio spots, and television ads being released in a few selected markets across Oklahoma:

“Oklahoma Family Policy Council regrets the way in which our previous comments, which were internally directed at members of the Oklahoma Legislature, are now being used in partisan, political ways to scare concerned Oklahoma voters about the pro-life values of some very fine conservative, pro-life Oklahoma legislators. Unfortunately, many fine state legislators, including Rep. Ann Coody, Rep. Steve Martin, Rep. Jason Nelson, and possibly others, are today being incorrectly characterized for partisan purposes as not pro-life. Their votes in 2010 over SB 1902 were about the regulation and control of Oklahoma's equine and animal husbandry industry. There were not then — nor are there now — any documented problems in Oklahoma about veterinary drugs being used for back-alley abortions or date rape. The bill in question, SB 1902, was later, at our suggestion, amended in the Senate to correct any possible deficiencies and is now consistent with federal law. Voters in these affected districts should exercise their common-sense about politics in the last few days before an important election. Check out the records of these legislators directly, or via well-known pro-life organizations like Oklahomans for Life. Don't rely on charges by unknown political action committees. Don't be fooled.”

--30--

Report on Recent Candidate Forum on Disability Issues

This post links to an www.ecapitol.net news story written by Clint Sloan who covered the recent candidate forum I attended where issues important to Oklahomans with disabilities where discussed.

I quickly hit the high points of the work I've been doing since being elected in 2008 within the five minutes each candidate had to speak and answer questions. I thought the forum went well and I appreciated the opportunity visit with those in attendance.

I continue to work with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division at DHS to address the huge number of Oklahomans on the Waiting List for disability services. I will be attending the Waiting List Meeting tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at DHS.

I also mentioned the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program that became effective the day before.


POLITICS: Candidates discuss disability issues

08/30/2010 by Clint Sloan

"(POL) Seventeen candidates - along with one liaison to a candidate - running for state and federal offices spoke at a Saturday forum discussing issues affecting disabled citizens.

"The event occurred at the Oklahoma History Center and was sponsored by the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council and the Heartland Council for the Blind. The candidates discussed education, transportation, budgetary matters and job creation, along with other issues."

Click here to read the complete eCapitol story.