Key Takeaways
Oklahoma families are feeling the pinch. Groceries cost more, insurance bills keep climbing, and good jobs are harder to find, especially in rural towns. With a poverty rate of 15.7 percent, one of the highest in the nation, and oil prices dipping near 50 dollars a barrel, threatening energy jobs, Oklahomans want relief.
Leisa hears you loud and clear. She has a straightforward plan to help families stretch every dollar without raising taxes or growing government. Rooted in faith and family values, Leisa’s conservative approach puts Oklahoma first, ensuring your hard-earned money goes further.
The Struggle: Families Under Pressure
Life isn’t cheap in Oklahoma today. Inflation is eating away at paychecks, and the state’s minimum wage, still at 7.25 dollars per hour until a 2025 increase to 9 dollars, doesn’t cut it for many. Rural counties, where 71 out of 77 saw unemployment rise recently, are hit hardest. Small businesses, like mom-and-pop stores in Enid or Lawton, are closing as costs soar.
Leisa met a single mom in Durant who skips meals to pay for her kids’ school supplies. “That’s not right,” Leisa says. “Families work too hard to be this stretched.” She knows Oklahoma’s energy wealth should lift everyone, not just the connected few, and she’s ready to act.
Leisa’s Plan: Smart Relief, No Handouts
The plan is all about practical help. First, she’s launching a Small Business Relief Fund. This uses extra revenue from oil and gas taxes to offer low-interest loans to small shops, diners, and farms in rural areas.
These loans, capped at 25,000 dollars, help businesses cover rent, hire workers, or buy supplies, keeping jobs local. “When a store in Alva stays open, it’s not just a business,” Leisa explains. “It’s a family’s livelihood.” She’ll partner with local banks to manage the fund, avoiding big government red tape, and ensure every loan is repaid to keep the program running.
Second, Leisa wants a temporary sales tax freeze on essentials like groceries, medicine, and baby formula. This would save families about 100 dollars a year, maybe more for bigger households. To pay for it, she’ll cut wasteful state spending, like unused office leases or duplicate programs, which eat up millions. “We don’t need new taxes,” she says. “We need to spend smarter.”
Her transparency promise means every cut will be public, so Oklahomans know where their money’s going. It’s a direct boost to your budget, letting you keep more at the store.
Finally, Leisa’s pushing for a Job Training Boost. She’ll redirect existing workforce funds to create short-term training programs at community colleges, focusing on high-demand skills like welding, healthcare, and tech support.
These six-month courses, free for unemployed workers, aim to get folks back to work fast, especially in counties hit by oil job losses. “A good job changes everything,” Leisa says. “It’s hope for a family.” Her plan prioritizes rural areas, ensuring places like Woodward aren’t left behind.
The Impact: Stronger Families, Thriving Towns
What does this look like? Imagine a family in McAlester buying groceries without wincing at the total, thanks to the tax freeze. Picture a cafe in Idabel hiring a new cook because a relief loan covered equipment costs. See a dad in Guymon landing a welding job after a quick training course, paying his bills with pride.
Leisa’s plan isn’t about handouts; it’s about giving Oklahomans a hand up. By saving small businesses, her fund could preserve thousands of jobs across rural counties. The tax freeze puts money back in your pocket, easing the stress of rising costs. And job training means more Oklahomans earn steady wages, not just scrape by.
Leisa’s faith drives her. “God calls us to care for each other,” she says, “and that starts with fair chances.” Unlike leaders who let inflation run wild or funnel energy wealth to insiders, Leisa’s focused on families. Her experience as a city manager taught her how to balance budgets without burdening taxpayers.
She’s not promising miracles—just results. In 2026, she’s asking Oklahomans to trust her to make every dollar count. “We’re tougher than these tough times,” she says. “Let’s build an Oklahoma where families don’t just survive, they thrive.”
