Kevin Wright

1. You have been mayor of Jennings for 12 years, describe yourself as a 28-year businessman, and founded the Promise, Literacy, and Education Foundation. Walk readers through your professional and civic background — what businesses you have run, what your mayoral tenure involved, and what the foundation does.

I am the founder and owner of A-Affordable Design, LLC, The Fan Stop, LLC and A-Affordable Properties, LLC. When I became mayor of Jennings, the city was in financial difficulties — at the time we had around $50,000 in our entire fund balances, and when I retired Dec. 31, 2025, we had built that up to $265,000. I felt like I left Jennings in a very good position to continue moving forward.

The Promise Literacy and Education Foundation exists to expand access to literacy and educational opportunities by empowering individuals through reading, learning, and lifelong educational support, strengthening families and communities for a brighter future.

2. Oklahoma's individual income tax is the single largest source of revenue for state government, contributing about one-third of the General Revenue Fund, which funds essential state services including education, corrections, and health care. Your campaign calls for eliminating it. What is your plan — would you replace that revenue through other means, cut services to offset the loss, or some combination of both?

3. Oklahoma lawmakers and voters are debating proposals to limit property taxes. Because property taxes are the primary funding source for public schools in Oklahoma, what is your position on property tax reform, and how would changes affect school funding in District 35?

I think it needs to be a triggered, phased income tax and property tax reduction. Rather than eliminating income and property taxes immediately, it should happen gradually as revenue grows. Expand economic growth, deregulate businesses, use growth in gross production taxes, pursue government efficiency through modernizing technology systems, consolidate duplicated state functions, limit growth in administrative spending, and eliminate fraud. I do believe that property taxes on our senior citizens need to be eliminated immediately.

4. You ran in the December 2025 special primary and were eliminated. What has changed about your campaign or your message since then, and why do you believe this race has a different outcome?

Our message is the same. I'm running on protecting conservative values — I stand for family and faith, a pro-life commitment, Second Amendment rights, a strong economy, law and order, local control and fiscal responsibility. Together we can protect our conservative values, preserve our freedoms and ensure Oklahoma remains the place where faith and family come first.

In the first election there was very low turnout of registered voters in the district. Since there are more candidates and issues on the ballot for this normal election cycle, we feel like the turnout will be much greater. Our message to our constituents is a positive message about the opportunities in District 35 and to make our towns strong so they not only can survive but thrive. I have the experience, the ability, the willpower, and the fight to make District 35 first.

5. Of all the issues facing your district, which two do you believe matter most to your constituents, and what specifically would you do to address them?

1. Lowering the tax burden and growing local jobs. Families are feeling the pressure of inflation, rising costs and government taking too much of what they earn. I support a responsible path toward eliminating state income tax, reducing unnecessary regulation on small businesses, and ensuring taxpayers get a greater value for every dollar spent. As a business owner I understand what it takes to create jobs, meet a payroll, and grow an operation. I will fight to make Oklahoma the best place in the country to start and expand a business.
2. Protect rural communities, agriculture, and infrastructure. District 35 depends on strong roads, reliable infrastructure and policies that support farmers, ranchers and working families. I will work to improve rural roads and bridges, protect private property rights, support law enforcement, and ensure rural communities receive their fair share of state resources. Decisions made in Oklahoma City should strengthen our communities and not burden them with more mandates and bureaucracy.

My commitment is simple: defend conservative values, protect taxpayers, and make sure the voices of District 35 are heard at the Capitol.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar, spelling, and AP style. Substance and positions have not been altered.