Former U.S. bobsledder, teacher pledges to support open gov't if elected to state House

The Democratic candidate for state House District 93 has promised “to support legislation to strengthen the letter and the spirit” of Oklahoma’s open government laws if elected. In signing FOI Oklahoma’s Open Government Pledge for legislative candidates, Mickey Dollens also promised “to support at every opportunity” the state’s public policy 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.”

Dollens faces Republican Jay Means in the Nov. 8 election. Republican incumbent Mike Christian chose not to seek re-election and is running for Oklahoma County sheriff.

House District 93 covers part of south Oklahoma City.

Dollens taught English at U.S. Grant High School for two years until being laid off this year because of budget cuts.

Dollens also is the founder of Tree Trunx, which sells knee sleeves to weightlifters and other athletes. For each pair sold, the company ensures that a tree is planted, Dollens told FOX25 in April. He said he developed the sleeves while a member of the USA bobsled team from 2012 to 2014.

Before becoming a bobsledder, Dollens had played football at Southern Methodist University.

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

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