An Oklahoma City Libertarian has pledged to comply with the letter and spirit of Oklahoma’s open government laws if elected as the county clerk. In signing FOI Oklahoma’s Open Government Pledge, Chris Powell also promised “to support at every opportunity the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government so that they can efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power.”

Powell will face Republican David B. Hooten in the Nov. 8 general election. Hooten defeated longtime incumbent Carolynn Caudill in the runoff election Tuesday.

The clerk's office is the primary record-keeper for the county government and serves as the secretary for county boards.

FOI Oklahoma invites all candidates for state, local and legislative seats to sign the pledge. Instructions and lists of signers can be found on FOI Oklahoma’s website.

FOI Oklahoma began the Open Government Pledge in spring 2008 as part of a national effort to spur public commitments to government transparency from candidates for president down to city council contests.

Joey Senat, Ph.D. Associate Professor OSU School of Media & Strategic Communications Mass Communication Law in Oklahoma

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, its board of directors or the commentator’s employer. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.