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Oklahoma democrat seeks DNC Vice Chair after overturned election
News
June 19, 2025
Oklahoma democrat seeks DNC Vice Chair after overturned election
By BLAKE MADDEN GAYLORD NEWS

WASHINGTON— Kalyn Free — a Native American attorney and longtime Oklahoma Democrat — is running again for DNC vice chair, hoping to reshape the party’s focus on rural and Indigenous communities following last week’s decision by the Democratic National Committee to toss out its February election.

The February ballot was thrown out following a 294–99 vote by DNC members to hold new elections after Kalyn Free, who lost the initial vote, challenged the results, saying the election violated the party’s gender parity rules and charter.

In her challenge, Free claimed that the process gave male candidates a mathematical advantage and violated the party’s gender parity requirement, which requires equal male and female representation in the DNC’s executive committee.

“We stand for free and fair elections, and so it was important to me that this be corrected,” Free said.

The DNC’s vote last Wednesday upheld Free’s challenge, leaving the vice chair seats previously held by Malcolm Kenyatta and David Hogg up for grabs. Following the decision, Hogg dropped out of the re-election bid, leaving one male and three female candidates, including Free, competing for the two positions.

Of the two vice chair seats, one must be held by a man — a position Kenyatta is expected to retain. That leaves Free, Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass, and Washington Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad to compete for the remaining seat.

The new election will take place on Tuesday, June 17, when the party’s roughly 500 national committee members — including state party chairs, elected officials, and organizational delegates — will cast their votes.

Free is seeking to become the first Native American elected as DNC vice chair, arguing that the party has long neglected red states and Indian Country. In recent years, Democrats have struggled to maintain trust among rural voters, a challenge that she says the party must urgently address. Because of her rural upbringing near Red Oak, Oklahoma, Free says she understands “what the needs are in rural America.”

“The blue wall has crumbled,” Free said, referring to the party’s reduced support in states that have historically been reliable Democratic strongholds. “There are rural parts of this country in every state, and we have to start talking, and not just talking to those people, but listening to those folks.”

Free said Native American support is an integral part of the Democrats’ “winning strategy”, not just for the presidency, but also for gaining control of Congress. She pointed to key battleground states like Arizona and Nevada, where Native turnout has proven decisive, as evidence that investment in tribal communities can shape electoral outcomes.

If elected, Free plans to work with tribes across the country to “build a year-round organizing effort” that goes beyond shortterm outreach and campaign fundraising, such as recruiting tribal candidates and engaging voters on issues that matter to Native communities.

“They deserve to be supported, but that is an educational effort, and that takes resources,” Free said. “It is an opportunity, for the first time in the history of the Democratic National Committee, to build a program that truly integrates the Democratic Party into Native communities.”

At a time when trust in the Democratic Party has eroded in rural regions and among key voting blocs, Free said the party’s long-term success will depend on its willingness to engage communities that feel overlooked.

“The Democratic party’s goal is not solely to elect the President of the United States, although that is a primary function of the National Party,” Free said. “But it’s also to build in states and to build strong parties in the states. It’s very difficult to operate, not just in Oklahoma, but in other red states, if we don’t have a strong party apparatus.”

She pointed to Tulsa Major Monroe Nichols, a Democrat, as an example that progress is possible for Democratic candidates when they speak directly to local concerns and don’t “shy away from issues that other candidates would have shied away from.”

“I think it’s very important for the party, not just on the national level, but on the state and local level, to recruit candidates and vet candidates that are true to our values, and that will run as Democrats and will win as Democrats,” she said.

City of Checotah prepares fireworks and family fun
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City of Checotah prepares fireworks and family fun
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
June 26, 2025
The City of Checotah is gearing up for the greatest Fourth of July Freedom Fest celebration the community has ever seen. There will be plenty of sights and sounds to see this year during their allday ...
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Ex Pittsburg County jailer charged with attempting to rob Lakeside Pharmacy
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 26, 2025
A former Pittsburg County jailer, who was named a Detention Officer of the Year in 2024, has been arrested and charged with attempted robbery with a weapon and child neglect. Jose Kirkes, 33, of McAle...
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Woman barefoot and pulling toy wagon fights officer
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 26, 2025
A barefooted 23-year-old Oktaha woman was walking near I-40, pulling a toy wagon missing its front wheels, has been arrested for assault and battery on a police officer, conspiracy to perform an act o...
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Smelser to become county treasurer July 1
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Smelser to become county treasurer July 1
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 26, 2025
Kimberly Smelser has been first deputy in the McIntosh County Treasurer’s Office since January 2021. On Tuesday, July 1, she will become county treasurer, replacing Betty Whisenhunt, whose final day i...
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Checotah Alumni to host reunion this weekend
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Checotah Alumni to host reunion this weekend
June 26, 2025
The Checotah High School Alumni Reunion is finally here and will be two days reminiscing over high school days gone by too quickly. On Friday, June 27, everyone is invited to the Katy Depot to catch u...
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Minor leads lawmen on wild chase
June 26, 2025
A juvenile driving a stolen 2020 white Jeep Compass led lawmen on a chase that exceeded 110 miles per hour on U.S. 69 shortly after midnight on Friday, June 20. After the Eufaula Police Department was...
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Bingo Night blazed a trail for suicide awareness
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Bingo Night blazed a trail for suicide awareness
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
June 26, 2025
Bingo Night blazed a trail for the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk on June 12. Many patrons and volunteers came out to help raise money for the walk set for September 20. All the proceeds of the fun...
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Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
News
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
June 26, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This award was presented to an ...
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When death steals a first-class friend
News
When death steals a first-class friend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
June 26, 2025
I may have been the last person—other than her murderer—to talk to Selby Minner before her murder on Monday, June 9. She and I planned to meet that day, but when we talked by phone around 4:30 p.m., w...
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We celebrate the 250th anniversary of our United States Army
commentary
We celebrate the 250th anniversary of our United States Army
June 26, 2025
We Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Our United States Army Happy 250th birthday to the United States Army. Thank you to all my many friends and family who bravely served and to all the soldiers toda...
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Forgiveness for all
commentary
Forgiveness for all
June 26, 2025
Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice to extend forgiveness for all. So God, why is forgiveness so hard? Why do bad things happen to us and those we love? Why is there so much anger and animosity in the ...
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