Oklahoma House of Representatives District 64 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Oklahoma, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 64 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 64

Incumbent Rande Worthen defeated Kyle Meraz and Zachary Walls in the general election for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 64 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rande Worthen (R)	54.6	3,818
		Kyle Meraz (D)	40.2	2,816
		Zachary Walls (Independent)	5.2	363

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,997
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

I'm a young optimist with a fresh perspective.

I am more than willing to work for a nonpartisan solution, as long as it holds the best interest for the constituents.

I want, more than anything, to give the people their voice back and hold accountability for elected officials.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Education and Teacher's Support

Firearm Literacy and Storage

Healthcare Advancement for Rural areas and Veterans

Criminal Justice (Reducing Recidivism/Increasing Rehabilitation)

Equality and Civil Rights

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

My father. There's few people I know who can deliver front porch philosophies and bad puns in the same breath. I follow my dad's example, because he exemplifies something I think plenty of us forgot. He exemplifies being human and understanding that falling short isn't the end. He exemplifies that being humbled is a better lesson learned than remaining oblivious to our own faults. He exemplifies that each day is a gift and it is better to be grateful to have woken up than to miss out on tomorrow.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

-John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

-Seneca's "Moral Epistles" -Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man"

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Personable, direct, compassionate, and understanding.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Open-Minded

Witty Optimistic Innovative

Understanding

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

To draft legislation that supports the people of Oklahoma, work with other elected officials to improve the lives of and communities of the constituents, and to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

That I made tomorrow safer for the future citizens of my state and country. That I can say I encouraged people to not be afraid to be themselves and that society came together to snuff the evils of religious and racial supremacy.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

The 2008 Presidential Election. I was 9 years old and remember participating in a mock election at the school to see how the students voted. It was my first exposure to ballot based voting.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Working as a camp counselor since 15 every summer provided a constant sense of adventure and a drive to always help out someone in need. Whether it was on a 5 story climbing tower, breaking in a horse, watercraft repair, or social media oversight for the OK/AR area I have always went into the task at hand with a desire to do my best and help where I can.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

"Wisdom of Our Fathers" by Tim Russert. This book is a collection of letters sent to Mr. Russert that detail experiences of sons and daughters with their fathers. It is a great read and one that I hope to pass down to my own children.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Any of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring (except Boromir). To go on a years long adventure in the company of diverse friends (even if it is to destroy an ancient evil) is surely an unforgettable experience.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

"Rich Spirit" by Kendrick Lamar

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Tolerating hateful and vile remarks. Sitting idly by and being told to accept racist/sexist/homophobic remarks without holding those ugly people accountable for their behavior.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

The legislature has the role of being the voice of their constituents and the governor has the role of leading the state in all the capacities charged to their office. Between those bodies of government, the relationship needs to one of partnership, active accountability, and implementation of the voice of the constituents.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Overcoming the flagrant laws recently signed by Gov. Stitt that directly target women, LGBTQ+ individuals, Indigenous Peoples, and other at-risk groups.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Citizens benefit from a unicameral legislature in instances where the state population is lower. The existence for a bicameral legislature in areas where there is more land area than people is slim to none. This gives the people a closer view and influence in their elected bodies. A bicameral legislature, however, is needed for areas with high populations over the state area.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Prior experience in any field is good, however an outside perspective and new ideas can greatly benefit any body of government. If given the choice between a career politician and a fresh baby-faced candidate, I'm choosing the person who has my best interests in mind. What is their platform, what are their goals, and what can they do for the people they represent?

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Zachary Walls (Independent)

As long as the partnerships with other legislators does not directly conflict with the representation of your constituents, then it is fine.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

An outside arbitration group that uses census data should draft the proposed redistricting lines. This proposed map should then be given to the Election agency of the state for approval. Before final approval, there should be a period of time to allow any civil right agencies, fair election agencies, etc. to look over and bring up any concerns. If there no complaints on the proposed map, it will then be approved and used on the next available election and thereafter.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Health Services Public Health Public Safety Common Education Tourism Veterans and Military Affairs

Wildlife

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Former OK Gov. Frank Keating served in the OK House and Senate before his tenure as Governor. His time spent in the OK government was crucial as he led strong progressive pushes for increasing teacher's pay, infrastructure, and relief funds for victims of the OKC Bombing.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

While not an immediate goal, if the constituents believe I'd be a great fit for a U.S. legislator or governor of OK then I will look into the possibility of running for something different.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

As I was driving a man from Lawton to OKC for a hospital visit, the man informed me he was a combat veteran and did not have a car or close relatives. He told me about his military career and health problems, his dreams and goals, and what he would like to see in Oklahoma in the future. That man was wise and we had excellent conversations on the drive to OKC. His story had left me with motivation to see the changes he had wanted, and on the drive back to Lawton going down I-44 with a thunderstorm overhead, I found the reason for my running and who I represented in this district.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Zachary Walls (Independent)

A young man is getting ready for prom in the early morning before the big dance is supposed to happen later that night, and he realizes he forgot to pick up all the important things you need for a prom date.

So the young man rushes off in his car and immediately drives to the tuxedo store. When he finds a parking space, he sees that there is a line stretching outside the tuxedo store and to the neighboring store next door. So the young man waits for some time before he is finally able to go inside, get fitted, and purchase his tuxedo.

After getting his clothes, the young man runs back to his car and drives to the floral shop to pick up the corsage for his partner. Upon arriving at the only open florist in town, he sees that there is an even longer line out coming out of this building. This line is long enough to wrap around the building. So, like last time, the young man waits and waits and waits until he is FINALLY able to go inside, get the flowers, and pay the busy florists.

The young man having obtained what he needed, he gets back into his car and realizes that he spent all day waiting in line, because it is now 5PM. The young man begins to drive back home and decides to take the faster way home through the highway. However, the young man forgot that this is prime rush hour traffic and he is stuck in a traffic jam for hours on end in a line of cars. The young man is able to get home with minutes to spare on picking up his date.

The young man and his date make it to their school's auditorium after everyone else showed up. The young man and his date wait in the line of other students for what seems like a lifetime until they ultimately get inside to the prom dance floor. The young man and his date, both exhausted at this point, elect to sit down before dancing. The young man offers to get some refreshments from the nearby table and punchbowl.

The young man is able to get the drinks with no wait, of course, as there is no punch line.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

Only in circumstances where it is absolutely necessary.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Zachary Walls (Independent)

The world does not work in objective "this or that's". Compromise is foundational and necessary in everything.

See also

More about these elections:

• Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2022

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