Andy Fugate

Biography

Andy Fugate is seeking re-election for House District 94. He will fight for quality public education and criminal justice reform. He will also fight for mental health and addiction services, and for disadvantaged and special needs citizens.

Survey Issues

1.What do you feel should be the government’s role in public health and welfare?
I believe the overriding responsibility for government is to ensure opportunity and stability for people. 

2. What are your views on individuals being able to safely and securely access sensitive medical procedures in privacy and without state control?
Doctors should be allowed to doctor, subject to oversight by a medical board comprised primarily of professional peers.

3. What changes would you make to ensure every Oklahoman has the chance to participate meaningfully in the electoral process?
1. Remove legislative control over redistricting. Legislator should not be permitted to draw their own districts.
2. Require unchallenged incumbents to stand for retention (HB1917 2023) and advance the top two in a single-party race to the general election (HB1916 2023). Both of these changes would provide voters with a true choice in November.

4. Currently, only one political party in Oklahoma allows Independent voters to participate in primary elections. What will you do to ensure that all registered voters are able to fully express their political preferences?
I have previously authored legislation (HB1918 2023) to require closed primaries to be paid for by the party. The people should not be required to foot the bill for a closed party selection process.

5. Research from Pew Research Center indicates that “the role of money in politics” is consistently one of the top concerns of American voters across the ideological spectrum. What will you do to address this growing issue?
Unfortunately, it’s not directly within the power of the state legislature, but the very best way to address this issue is to revise federal law to end Citizens United. Corporations are not people and political speech should not be hidden. 

6. Many Oklahomans experience discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and other factors; how would you address these problems as an elected leader?
The most important action we can take is to call it out when it happens. 

7. How will you ensure that First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, speech, protest, and press are protected from infringement?
I have a proven track record of standing for the rights of people to freely assemble to protest and to keep government out of religion. Regarding the free press, I strongly support additional transparency and sit on the board of Freedom of Information Oklahoma

8. What issues do you see in our criminal legal system that could be reformed to be more equitable and efficient?
1. Stop funding justice on the backs of those who are justice involved.
2. Fund SQ 781 resources to provide mental health and drug treatment across all 77 counties. In turn, those resources could then be used to provide greater access to diversion options.

9. What measures would you take to address food insecurity in Oklahoma?
We could start by accepting federal dollars for needy kids during the summer months. It’s shameful that our Governor has provided made up excuses for two years instead of accepting these dollars.

10. How would you protect people renting in Oklahoma from predatory landlords and expand affordable housing options in our state?
I support expanding low income housing tax credits and tiny home communities to build affordable housing capacity. I fought against reducing the eviction timetable.