Andrew Rice is on the ballot

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 2, 2008 10:59 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Andrew Rice for U.S. Senator

Today, I filed my declaration of candidacy for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate with the Oklahoma Election Board.

After several months of campaigning, it represents an important moment as we work to give Oklahoma voters a choice in the November election.

As of today, more than 1,300 of you have joined Team Rice as volunteers, forming the backbone of my campaign by walking neighborhoods, placing phone calls, hosting house parties, and helping out at headquarters. You will help me overcome the advantages of incumbency that my general election opponent enjoys.

Now that the candidate filing period has signaled the official beginning of our state's election season, I am glad we can focus more time on this important campaign.

As we move forward, I carry with me the friendship and memory of an Oklahoma teenager who lost her courageous battle with brain cancer in the closing weeks of the state legislative session. Steffanie Collings and her family have helped define what this campaign is all about: fairness, accountability and leadership.

Steffanie's father, Monty Collings, asked for my help and I was honored to join his fight to make health insurance companies act responsibly and reward hard-working families who pay our premiums in good faith.

State House Republicans successfully blocked my bipartisan initiative to force private insurance companies in Oklahoma to continue covering routine medical expenses for patients who enter potentially life-saving clinical trials. However, I am now even more determined to win this election so I can continue Steffanie's fight at the federal level. After all, nearly half the states already have similar laws in place with little or no impact on insurance rates.

If you believe that our government should reflect the same values that we teach our children, such as fairness and accountability, I hope you will volunteer to help this campaign.

My opponent, Sen. Jim Inhofe, has held public office for 40 years. He is determined to protect the status quo that he has invested a lifetime creating. Thanks to his support from Washington special interests, he will enjoy a monetary advantage in this campaign.

However, with thousands of Team Rice volunteers walking neighborhoods, calling your friends, and appearing at rallies, we can create a groundswell of support that no amount of money can overcome.

I encourage you to review the volunteer opportunities and find a way to join this campaign. It's a campaign that is about each one of you and I will be grateful for your investment of time, effort, and enthusiasm.

Sincerely,

Andrew Rice
State Senator

P.S.   I personally met and contacted 20,000 voters in State Senate District 46 during the 2006 election because I recognize the value of a person-to-person campaign. I can't possibly knock on every door statewide, but with your help, we can try. Become a Team Rice volunteer - receive our popular blue t-shirt for the volunteer discount price and wear it proudly! We are going to change the direction of this country!

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