Patrick's Priorities
Patrick Southerland's stated campaign priorities are focused on putting Oklahoma families first.
Strengthen Our Public Schools
Strong communities start with strong public schools.
The Issue
Oklahoma schools continue to struggle with teacher recruitment, retention, classroom resources, and ensuring students in rural communities have the same opportunities as students across the state.
Patrick's Priorities
- Recruit and retain great teachers
- Support competitive teacher pay
- Put resources back into the classroom
- Support students, educators, and local public schools
- Protect educational opportunities in rural Oklahoma
- Keep public education dollars in public schools — not private school subsidies
“Our teachers should want to stay in Oklahoma, and our children should have every opportunity to succeed right here at home.”
Accessible & Affordable Healthcare
Healthcare isn't accessible if you can't afford it, can't reach it, or your insurance won't pay for it.
The Issue
Rural hospitals and healthcare providers are under tremendous pressure while families face rising costs, limited access to care, insurance delays, and claim denials.
Patrick's Priorities
- Hold insurance companies accountable for unreasonable delays and denials
- Protect rural hospitals and healthcare access
- Support patients and the healthcare professionals caring for them
- Improve access to affordable care close to home
- Put patients before insurance bureaucracy
- Invest in keeping rural hospitals open instead of subsidizing large corporations
“Your ZIP code or insurance company should never determine whether you can get the care you need.”
Lower Costs for Everyday Families
A full-time paycheck should help you build a life — not just survive until the next one.
The Issue
Oklahoma families are being squeezed by the rising costs of housing, utilities, healthcare, childcare, insurance, and other everyday necessities.
Patrick's Priorities
- Expand access to affordable housing
- Protect consumers from unreasonable costs and fees
- Fight unnecessary increases in household expenses
- Support affordable childcare options
- Make state policies work for working and middle-class families
- Raise the minimum wage to keep pace with the rising cost of living
“Government cannot control every price, but it can stop making life harder for families who are already doing everything they can to get by.”