A Libertarian candidate has pledged that the state's executive branch will comply with the letter and spirit of Oklahoma's open government laws if he is elected governor. In signing FOI Oklahoma’s Open Government Pledge for statewide candidates, Chris Powell 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.”

Since FOI Oklahoma began the pledge in 2008, 186 candidates have signed — with 95, or 51 percent—being elected at least once.

Powell of Bethany is a former chairman of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party. The party primary is June 26. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election on Aug. 28. The general election is Nov. 6.

In 2016, Powell received just over 89,000 votes -- 36 percent of the total -- in the general election when he ran against a Republican for Oklahoma County clerk.

Powell also signed the pledge when he campaigned for that office.

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 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.