Mike Bockus

Biography

Mike Bockus is running for House District 41. In regard to education, he wants to invest in the future of Oklahoma by addressing the dismally inadequate and consistently reduced funding budgeted for our schools. He will also respect educators and seek to honor their opinions regarding proposed education legislation and how the consequences of such legislation would affect our children and school systems when put into action. Bockus also wants to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare is available to all Oklahomans, including members of vulnerable populations such as minorities, women, and those belonging to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Additionally, he wants to reduce the cost of life saving medications necessary for thousands of Oklahomans and invest in mental health and disability programs that provide Oklahomans access to these vital services. Regarding voting, he wants to expand early voting (in-person absentee voting) by increasing the number of polling places that participate in early voting, thereby increasing Oklahomans’ opportunities to participate in our state and local governments. Bockus vows to uphold accountability and transparency in providing information and service.

Survey Issues

1. What do you feel should be the government’s role in public health and welfare?

The government’s role in public health and welfare should be centered on ensuring access to quality healthcare and essential services for all citizens. This includes providing affordable healthcare, investing in mental health and disability programs, and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the care they need. The government should also work to reduce the cost of life-saving medications and improve the safety and accessibility of healthcare facilities. Ultimately, the government’s role is to create a foundation that allows every citizen to achieve their full potential in a healthy and supportive environment.

2. What are your views on individuals being able to safely and securely access sensitive medical procedures in privacy and without state control?

I firmly believe that individuals should have the right to access sensitive medical procedures, such as reproductive healthcare, safely, securely, and in privacy. The government should not interfere with personal medical decisions, especially those involving reproductive health, gender-affirming care, or other deeply personal medical needs. Protecting this privacy ensures that all citizens can make the best choices for their health and well-being without fear of state control or external judgment. Personal health decisions should remain between individuals and their healthcare providers.

3. What changes would you make to ensure every Oklahoman has the chance to participate meaningfully in the electoral process?

To ensure every Oklahoman can participate meaningfully in the electoral process, I would advocate for measures that expand access to voting and remove barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. This includes implementing automatic voter registration, expanding early voting options, and ensuring that all polling locations are accessible. Additionally, I would support legislation that protects against voter suppression tactics, such as gerrymandering or restrictive voter ID laws, and push for more robust voter education initiatives to help Oklahomans understand their rights and the voting process.

4. Currently, only one political party in Oklahoma allows Independent voters to participate in primary elections. What will you do to ensure that all registered voters are able to fully express their political preferences?

To ensure that all registered voters in Oklahoma can fully express their political preferences, I would advocate for the implementation of nonpartisan primaries and ranked-choice voting. Nonpartisan primaries allow all candidates to run in a single primary regardless of party affiliation, with the top candidates advancing to the general election. Ranked-choice voting empowers voters to rank candidates in order of preference, which ensures that the winning candidate has broad support. These changes would encourage greater voter participation and more accurately reflect the preferences of all Oklahomans.

5. Research from Pew Research Center indicates that “the role of money in politics” is consistently one of the top concerns of American voters across the ideological spectrum. What will you do to address this growing issue?

The influence of money in politics is a significant concern for many voters, and I believe it’s crucial to address this issue to restore trust in our democratic process. To combat the growing influence of money in politics, I would support measures such as strengthening campaign finance laws, increasing transparency in political donations, and advocating for publicly funded elections. These changes would help reduce the power of special interests and ensure that elected officials are accountable to the people they serve, rather than to wealthy donors or corporations.

6. Many Oklahomans experience discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and other factors; how would you address these problems as an elected leader?

Addressing discrimination in Oklahoma requires a commitment to creating policies that promote equality and protect the rights of all citizens. As an elected leader, I would work to strengthen anti-discrimination laws, ensuring they are rigorously enforced across all sectors, including employment, housing, and education. Additionally, I would support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, such as expanding cultural competency training for public servants and fostering community dialogues. By actively addressing these issues, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone in Oklahoma.

7. How will you ensure that First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, speech, protest, and press are protected from infringement?

To ensure that First Amendment rights are protected, I would strongly oppose any legislation or policies that infringe upon freedom of religion, speech, protest, or press. I would advocate for clear and consistent enforcement of these rights, ensuring that all citizens can express their beliefs and opinions without fear of government interference. Additionally, I would support educational initiatives to promote understanding of First Amendment rights and the importance of protecting them in a diverse and democratic society. Protecting these freedoms is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy.

8. What issues do you see in our criminal legal system that could be reformed to be more equitable and efficient?

To create a more equitable and efficient criminal legal system, several reforms are necessary. First, we need to address the disparities in sentencing, particularly those affecting marginalized communities. This includes revisiting mandatory minimum sentences and promoting alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenses. Second, I would advocate for expanding access to public defenders to ensure fair representation for all, regardless of income. Additionally, I support reforms to end cash bail, which disproportionately affects low-income individuals, and increasing transparency and accountability in policing to build trust within communities.

9. What measures would you take to address food insecurity in Oklahoma?

To address food insecurity in Oklahoma, I would advocate for expanding access to nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC, ensuring they reach more low-income families. Additionally, I would support initiatives that promote local food production, such as community gardens and farmers’ markets, to make fresh, affordable food more accessible. Strengthening partnerships between food banks, nonprofits, and government programs would also be essential to addressing immediate hunger needs. Finally, I would work to address the root causes of poverty, which are closely linked to food insecurity.

10. How would you protect people renting in Oklahoma from predatory landlords and expand affordable housing options in our state? 

To protect renters in Oklahoma from predatory landlords, I would advocate for stronger tenant protections, including clearer lease agreements, caps on rent increases, and improved enforcement of housing codes. Establishing a statewide rental registry could help ensure that landlords maintain safe and habitable properties. Additionally, I would support expanding affordable housing options by increasing funding for low-income housing projects, providing incentives for developers to build affordable units, and enhancing programs that assist first-time homebuyers and renters with housing costs.