10/12/2026
From Kelly Forbes- When hired ( voters are the hiring committee) as the next Lieutenant Governor, I’ll work with people who disagree with me, I will also represent people who didn’t vote for me, but they will deserve my attention and respect just as much as anyone who did. The way I campaign is how I intend to lead and I am laser focused on Oklahoma.
I believe character matters and integrity matters. I also believe people should be measured against how we actually treat our fellow neighbors. This campaign is for all of us.
You can’t promise to bring Oklahoma together while treating whole groups of Oklahomans as the enemy. This morning on KOCO, my opponent spoke about the need for a Lt. Governor who can unite us. I want Oklahomans to consider that promise alongside his other statements.
What my opponent says about unity on television is difficult to reconcile with how he treats people on social media.
When a Republican constituent brought up my travels across Oklahoma, he dismissed the comment with “ty for the unsolicited advice.” When a woman asked why he hadn’t answered her question, he responded, “You could have behaved like a civilized adult.” He has called for the mass deportation of legal refugees based on national origin, demonized faith groups different from his own. Oklahomans deserve to ask how those responses square with his promise to bring us together.
One of the key pillars of this campaign is accountability, and if I am being honest: my opponent is speaking out of both sides of his mouth and that matters, Oklahoma.
Those examples of his leadership and interactions matter because there are people on the receiving end, and unity includes all, not some, and definitely not those just voting for you.
Yes, I am the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, but I don’t care what letter is beside your name, I am an Oklahoman ready to work for all of you, Oklahoma. I have said this entire campaign that the way I campaign is the way I will lead. If we apply this same theory to my opponent, I think every Oklahoman should be concerned.
I serve on Palomar’s board of directors, supporting its work with people affected by violence and abuse because safety matters to me, protecting people matters to me, and accountability matters to me. As a teacher and principal, I worked with families and colleagues across different beliefs and backgrounds. We didn’t agree on everything. We still had children to serve, resources to manage, and problems to solve. That required listening, professional judgment, and respect, especially when a conversation was difficult. That’s the experience I’m offering Oklahoma.
When hired as the next Lieutenant Governor, I’ll work with people who disagree with me, I will also represent people who didn’t vote for me, but they will deserve my attention and respect just as much as anyone who did. The way I campaign is how I intend to lead and I am laser focused on Oklahoma.
I believe character matters and integrity matters. I also believe people should be measured against how we actually treat our fellow neighbors. This campaign is for all of us.
I believe our best days are ahead. I love you, Oklahoma. All of you.