Political State Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Political State is a weekly podcast from The Oklahoman featuring discussions, interviews and analysis of Oklahoma politics. From the Oklahoma Legislature to the state’s DC delegation, Political State offers listeners a closer look at the politics and polities shaping their lives, hosted by The Oklahoman’s political reporters.
The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Molly Young talk about the impact of the Native American vote on state's races leading up to November's general election.
The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Carmen Forman break down what you need to know about the state's races leading up to November's general election.
As the Oklahoma Legislature nears the end of session, final budget negotiations are underway. The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Carmen Forman discuss.
Oklahoma's Department Tourism and Recreation has come under fire for allegedly paying Swadley's Bar-B-Q excessive amounts throughout the state's contract with the company. Dave Cathey, the Oklahoman's Food Dude, joins Ben Felder and Carmen Forman to discuss.
Candidates flocked to the Oklahoma state Capitol this week, filing to run for state and federal offices. Reporters Ben Felder and Carmen Forman break down the first two days of filing.
Candidates running for offices across Oklahoma will officially file next week. The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Carmen Forman discuss this and more.
Former Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jena Nelson joined the race for state superintendent this week, joining candidates Ryan Walters, April Grace and John Cox. Education reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel joins Ben Felder to discuss.
Multiple Oklahoma bills made headlines this week, but only some survived. Co-hosts Ben Felder and Carmen Forman discuss this week's top news from the state Capitol.
The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Carmen Forman recap which bills made it out of their initial committees this week, as well as the tidal wave that ensued after Sen. Jim Inhofe announced he will be leaving office next January.
The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Carmen Forman discuss the state's top political stories of the week.
Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall said he does not plan on hearing the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, potentially shutting down a bill that would allow students to use state funds to attend private schools or homeschool. The Oklahoman's Ben Felder and Carmen Forman discuss.
The 2022 Oklahoma legislative session begins Feb. 7. Reporters Ben Felder and Carmen Forman discuss what to expect.
The Oklahoman's Chris Casteel sits down with Congresswoman Kendra Horn to talk about growing up in Oklahoma, her interest in politics, and the issues facing the state and the nation.
Chris Casteel with The Oklahoman talk to U.S. Senator James Lankford and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe as the Senate prepares to conduct the trial for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole spoke to The Oklahoman's Chris Casteel on whether Trump needed congressional authorization for killing Iranian leader
The Oklahoman's Chris Casteel sat down with Governor Kevin Stitt and First Lady Sarah Stitt to review their first year in office.
U.S. Representative Tom Cole joins Chris Casteel to talk about the impeachment hearings, government funding, Alzheimer’s research and buffalo.
Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert discusses mental health and addiction services included in the MAPS 4 proposal, along with the idea that voters might be asked to fund a new jail.
In this special episode of Political State the proposed MAPS 4 projects are discussed along with possible political reaction from the council and public.
The Political State crew discusses Gov. Stitt's push to replace the higher education chancellor, the effort to repeal permitless carry and a week of congressional town halls.
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe sits down with Ben Felder and Chris Casteel to discuss current events.
Congresswoman Horn discusses her first several months in office, where she falls on the political spectrum and her thoughts on the crisis at the border.
The Oklahoman’s Carmen Formen and Ben Felder welcome Tres Savage, editor in chief of NonDoc, to discuss this week’s state Supreme Court ruling on a Medicaid expansion petition and to discuss whether journalists should vote in the elections they cover.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who has been in office for nearly 14 months, discusses his time as mayor and also plays some Twitter trivia.
Rep. Stone from Oklahoma City announced he will not seek reelection in 2020. He joined the podcast to discuss his time in office and the future of the Democratic party in Oklahoma.
Carmen and Ben talk with Michelle Oberman, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law who wrote the book "Her Body Our Laws," which includes research into the political dynamics of abortion in Oklahoma.
Chris Casteel, Carmen Forman and Ben Felder discuss the 5th congressional district race, which now includes State Sen. Stephanie Bice. Plus, the podcast crew discusses Gov. Kevin Stitt's first 100 days in office.
After 10 years on the OKC council, Meg Salyer is leaving office next month. She reflected on her time on the council and how the city has changed over the last decade.
Rep. Cyndi Munson, Democrat from Oklahoma City and Minority Caucus Chair, talks about establishing herself as a leader in the party and continuing to find election success.
State Sen. Julia Kirt returns to Political State to discuss the first month of session and her first term in office.
Rep. Jon Echols, the House Majority Floor Leader, discusses his role in shaping policy and the big issues in front of the Legislature.
JoBeth Hammon won her Ward 6 council race this week, drawing attention for beating a better-funded opponent and running a campaign focused on homelessness, public transportation and sustainability.
OKC Councilman Ed Shadid discusses his eight years on the council as he prepares to leave office.
Sen. Treat discusses his new role as leader of the Senate, his career and his hopes for 2019.
John Budd, Gov. Stitt’s chief operating officer, and David Ostrowe, Stitt’s secretary of digital transformation and administration, join the podcast to discuss their business background and new roles in government.
Justin and Ben discuss Gov. Stitt’s first week on the job, bills filed this week and the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Ben Felder and Justin Wingerter speak with Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt and Rep. Trey Caldwell at the Pre-inaugural Bison Bash in Lawton, Oklahoma on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019.
Oklahoma County commissioner Carrie Blumert joins the podcast to discuss the county jail and the entire crew offers New Year’s resolutions for several Oklahoma politicos.
Dale, Justin and Ben discuss the top three federal and state political stories of the year in Oklahoma.
As Gov. Mary Fallin leaves office, Justin, Darla and Ben discuss her legacy and her recent work on criminal justice reform.
State Sens. Carrie Hicks and Julia Kirt, both Democrats from Oklahoma City, joined Political State to discuss their elections and next year’s legislative session.
New OKC Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice joined the show to discuss her goals in city office. Justin and Ben also discussed Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt’s transition team and his balance of insiders versus outsiders.
Former state senator AJ Griffin joined Ben and Justin to talk about the 2018 elections and whether the Legislature has seen a shift towards more moderate lawmakers.
Representative-elect Kendra Horn joined Justin and Ben to discuss her election to congress and the flipping of the 5th District to Democratic control.
In the first of two episodes this week, Justin and Ben discuss the Oklahoma governor’s race, the election of Kevin Stitt and what we can expect from his administration.
Bailey Perkins, Legislative director for Oklahoma Policy Institute, joins Ben and Dale to discuss the gubernatorial election with 11 days to go.
In this week’s episode the Political State crew discusses the latest gubernatorial polls that show Kevin Stitt in the lead, but Drew Edmondson close behind. Adam Luck, a member of the Oklahoma State Board of Corrections, also discusses the changing political tone concerning criminal justice.
Chris, Dale and Ben discuss the first debate between Edmondson and Stitt and the ongoing race for governor.
Ben welcomed Clark Frailey, executive director of Pastors for Oklahoma Kids, to talk about his organization and the changing role religion is playing in Oklahoma politics.
The Political State crew welcomes Carrie Blumert, who won the runoff for the Democratic nomination for District 1 Oklahoma County commissioner on Tuesday night. They discuss her race and other runoff results.
Ben Felder and Justin Wingerter talks about the run off election for the Governor’s race.
The Political State crew discusses the final weeks of the runoff race for the Republican nominee for governor and the commercial battle that is underway.
Justin and Ben discuss what type of strategy the winner of the Republican nomination for governor might take in the general election. Also, Oklahoma City council candidate James Cooper discusses the difference between running for a city council seat compared to one in the state Legislature.
Meg, Dale, Justin and Ben discuss the latest with the state’s new medical marijuana law, including the political implications that are driving some of the policy discussions.
On this week’s episode the two remaining Libertarian candidates for governor discuss their party and their positions ahead of next month’s runoff.
This week the Political State crew discusses new medical marijuana rules set by the state Board of Health and the political firestorm that was created.
The Political State crew discuss the resignation of Scott Pruitt as EPA administrator, plus the debate over a possible special session to establish medical marijuana regulations continues.
Political State: Primary election recap Oklahoma witnessed a historic primary election this week and the Political State crew breakdowns the results and what it means moving forward
Dale, Justin and Ben discuss the upcoming Oklahoma primary. Plus, Bud Scott, executive director of New Health Solutions Oklahoma, talks about State Question 788 (medical marijuana).
Chris, Dale and Ben discuss the coming primary elections and a state question added for later this year.
With the primary fast approaching, Rep. Emily Virgin joins the Political State crew to talk about some of the most interesting (non-governor) races to watch on June 26.
Dale, Chris and Ben discuss the homestretch of the Republican primary for governor and the coming wave of change to the state Legislature.
Ben, Dale and Justin discuss the likelihood of Gov. Mary Fallin vetoing a few high-profile bills on her desk. Justin also breaks down the Democratic primary for the fifth congressional district.
Liz Waggoner, executive director of the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition, discusses last month’s teacher walkout and the gender issues involved. Ben, Dale and Justin talk about the end of the legislative session and speculate what the mood of Republican voters is headed into the primary election.
Meg Wingerter discusses her investigation into the health department’s finance, while Ben, Dale and Justin preview Monday’s forum between Republican candidates for governor.
This episode of Political State discusses the last two weeks of a teacher walkout and its political impact moving forward.
Amber England, a consultant with the Oklahoma Education Association, talks about the pending teacher walkout on Monday and the politics surrounding it.
Justin and Ben talk about the election in Oklahoma’s 5th district and how much of a change Democrats have.
Ben, Dale and Justin talk about who is feeling the pressure with a pending teachers strike. Justin also talks about possible shifts in a local race for Congress.
Ben, Dale and Justin talk about the pending teacher strike and a series of criminal justice reform bills in the Legislature.
Ben, Justin and Chris talk about the race for governor and the long list of candidates seeking the Republican nomination.
Dale and Ben discuss recent budget votes at the state Capitol and how it sets the table for an interesting political showdown next week.
The Political State crew reviews Gov. Mary Fallin’s State of the State address and the start of the 2018 regular session.
With a new state legislative session beginning on Monday, the Political State crew discusses what to expect.
Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association teachers union, discusses her groups support for a teacher pay raise plan. Justin, Ben and Dale talk about the upcoming legislative session and why a budget proposal might run into some political roadblocks.
Julia Kirt, executive director of Oklahomans for the Arts and Democratic candidate in Senate District 30, talked about her campaign. Ben, Justin and Dale discussed the state and federal budget situations and some parallels between the two.
Rep. Leslie Osborn discussed the likelihood of the Legislature passing a slate of tax increases to fill the state budget hole, and Ben and Justin talked about the responses from some Oklahoma lawmakers to President Trump’s controversial comments on immigrants.
In the first Political State of 2018, Bailey Perkins from Oklahoma Policy Institute discusses what to expect from the Legislature in the coming year. Dale, Just and Ben look at the latest in the governor’s race and the coming medical marijuana vote.
Justin and Ben talk about the governor’s veto, another special session and the tax debate in DC.
Ben and Dale discuss the latest on the budget fight at the state Capitol, and Brianna Bailey talks about her reporting on the financial crisis at the state Department of Health.
The podcast crew discusses the continued war of words in the ongoing budget debate at the state Capitol, along with Rep. Scott Inman’s resignation and what’s next for the Legislature.
Ben, Dale and Justin visit with Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, who is also running for governor. The podcast crew looks to get Lamb’s take on the continued budget stalemate at the Capitol.
Ben, Dale and Justin discuss the deal and then no deal between the House Democrats and Gov. Mary Fallin. The crew also discusses the congressional response to this week’s gun attack in Las Vegas.