Rice campaign visits Pontotoc County

Judd Morse Staff Writer

Ada July 09, 2008 04:21 pm

— United States Senate hopeful Andrew Rice will arrive in Ada Wednesday evening and be on-hand Thursday morning as the Rice Family Caravan makes its way through Pontotoc County on its six-day state tour. On Thursday morning at around 7:30 a.m., Rice will have breakfast at J.D.’s Restaurant and Cafeteria. Afterwards the Oklahoma state senator from Oklahoma City and his supporters will canvass local neighborhoods to introduce Rice to potential constituents from around 8:30-10 a.m.
“As an underdog in this campaign, I know how hard I will have to work to win in November,” Rice said. “As I go around Oklahoma, I meet a lot of people who are concerned about the economy, our veterans and the opportunities we are able to provide our children.
“I want anyone with a question about me or our government to be able to ask me directly, which is why I will be traveling the state that week.”
Rice, who at one point in his life had aspirations to become a teacher and later a journalist, entered the political arena after his brother David was killed in the terrorist attack of New York’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. From Rice’s campaign Website: “As a result of that tragic loss, Andrew re-dedicated his life to individual rights advocacy and common-sense public policy. He joined other families who lost loved ones on 9/11 to oppose the War in Iraq, instead encouraging America’s leaders to re-focus on the terrorist network that perpetrated the heinous attack. He also served as a strong advocate for creating the 9/11 Commission to examine events that led to the attack.”
In 2003, Rice established the Progressive Alliance Foundation which was designed to advocate fairness and equity in public policies. In 2005 he made a bid for Oklahoma’s District 46, defeating two Democrat challengers in the primary election and winning the general election in a landslide with 70 percent of the vote.
“Leadership is doing what you think is right whether it’s politically safe or not,” Rice said. “Our country can overcome the economic and security challenges we face if our leaders are willing to make the tough choices.”
Rice is one of several contenders for the Oklahoma U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Jim Inhofe.
Before the general election in November, both candidates will square off against members of their own parties in primary elections to be held July 29. Incumbent Inhofe will fight for the GOP nod against fellow Republicans Dennis Lopez, Evelyn L. Rogers, and Ted Ryals. Rice will be competing for the Democrat nomination against Jim Rogers. Winners of the primary elections will join independent candidate Stephen P. Wallace in a three-way battle for the senate seat.
During a previous visit to Ada in May, Rice stopped by the AEN newsroom and sat down for an interview before his scheduled appointment with the local Rotary Club. A transcript of the interview in its entirety can be found on the AEN web site (www.adaeveningnews.com).