Editor’s Note: Matt Pinnell was unable to respond to the questionnaire in time for this section. We have researched candidate’s website, Facebook pages and other sources to do our best to provide an overview of the candidate’s platform. Below is a sampling of that material.
Editor’s Note: Matt Pinnell was unable to respond to the questionnaire in time for this section. We have researched candidate’s website, Facebook pages and other sources to do our best to provide an overview of the candidate’s platform. Below is a sampling of that material.
Political Party: Republican Hometown: Tulsa Current Town: Tulsa Age: 42 Candidate Background: Matt Pinnell was elected as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of the State of Oklahoma on November 6th, 2018. In that role, he serves as President of the Oklahoma State Senate, and is a member of multiple constitutional boards and commissions. Lt. Governor Pinnell also serves as Secretary of Tourism and Branding on Governor Kevin Stitt’s cabinet.
Pinnell oversees the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and the state’s efforts to promote tourism, the third largest industry in Oklahoma. Pinnell also currently serves on the Department of Commerce executive committee focusing on small business growth, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Pinnell has a background in entrepreneurship and is a small business owner with his wife, Lisa, who is an inventor and entrepreneur.
What are the top three messages of your campaign?
1. Improving Education, Empowering Students 2. Stronger Local and Small Businesses 3. Expanding Business Recruitment and Tourism What are the top three most pressing issues facing rural Oklahoma? How would you address these issues if elected?
1. As Lt. Governor, Matt has been a tireless advocate for small business growth across the state, including better skills training for the incoming workforce and programs that will “accelerate” local businesses with capital investment; as well as, cutting taxes and bureaucratic red tape.
2. Starting in 2019, our state has seen greater investment and focus on bringing new businesses and visitors to Oklahoma, but we must continue this expanded investment and focus on bringing new businesses and visitors to Oklahoma.
3. We’ve seen what happens to other states when the people relinquish too much power to big government bureaucrats. We’ve seen what happens when our values are compromised in the name of liberalism. This will NOT happen in Oklahoma. Matt’s top priority has always been protecting our families and Oklahoma’s values.