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OC alumna aims for United States Congress

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

Corporate Commissioner and Oklahoma Christian University alumna Patrice Douglas announced her desire to run for Congress, citing her mission to bring conservative values to the U.S. government.

“I’m running because I want to take this business experience that I have – as a gal who helped her dad run the family business and as a banker – and take that business sense to Washington,” Douglas said at the press conference held on Oklahoma Christian’s campus. “I can honestly tell you that when I was five years old I came in and told my dad that I had just learned that there was a president of the United States. He sat me down on his lap and told me I could be that.”

As Douglas continues to climb the political ladder with a long history of business experience and education under her belt, she promises to apply the values she learned in her past to make a difference in the political realm.

“This particular role I have given some thought for a few months,” Douglas said. “I had to make a decision whether I was going to run for corporation commission or this, and when this opportunity came up, I decided this was the place I needed to go.”

Douglas emphasized how her ideologies reflected in both her personal and professional life strengthened her bid for Congress.

“As a mom, I want to go and exemplify family values and the values that we have here in Oklahoma,” Douglas said. “As a former mayor and banker, I want to continue to push back against federal intervention in how the state … governs itself.”

The potential change in the political environment between Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C. doesn’t seem to alter Douglas’ plan of action in working closely with the Democratic Party.

“I have conservative values, I’m a conservative girl and I intend to take those conservative values with me to Washington,” Douglas said. “So I’m certainly willing to talk, but I’m not going to compromise my values.”

Douglas’ eldest son, freshman Patrick Douglas, is set to follow his mother’s example in the political realm.

“I always get compared to my mom because we’re both kind of that outgoing personality type,” Patrick Douglas said. “I actually kind of want to follow in her footsteps and eventually become a politician … she has passed down a lot of her beliefs to me, not only religious beliefs but also ethics and moral values.”

As he reflected on the past few years alongside his mom’s political success, Patrick Douglas viewed her path as a  blessing.

“For the longest time, until about the time I was in sixth grade, she wasn’t in politics,” Patrick Douglas said. “And out of nowhere, she thought God wanted her to help Edmond out, so she ran for mayor.”

In April 2009, Patrice Douglas was elected the mayor of Edmond. While in office she proved instrumental in the creation of the Small Business Task Force, launched a youth volunteerism program and fought to reinstate the senior meal program, according to the Oklahoma Corporate Commission website.

“She didn’t really talk about moving jobs, but when Congressman Lankford decided to run for U.S. Senate, she felt like that’s what God was calling her to do,” Patrick Douglas said. “My dad was kind of worried because if she does win, she’ll be in D.C. for three or four days a week. So that’s kind of tougher on my dad and little brother … but she’ll be back for all the major family events.”

The contrast between working in the community and working in a different state changes the scale of campaigning.

“When she ran for mayor, I was in charge of her teenage board and we would go knock on doors and place signs and stuff like that,” Patrick Douglas said. “With this election, since I’m old enough to vote, I’m kind of in charge of campaigning at OC. So I’m looking forward to that.”

Overall, Patrice Douglas has the full support of her family, reflected in their literal position standing behind her at her press conference announcing candidacy for Congress.

“I’m really excited for her and I’m nervous for her because this is a big deal,” Patrick Douglas said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for her and a great opportunity to take a step up and show what a leader she is.”

Patrice Douglas’ path after graduating from Oklahoma Christian is an encouraging example for current students’ career paths, according to sophomore political science major Alexis Farrell.

“It makes me realize that women can actually do things in politics,” Farrell said. “It’s not just a man’s world. I think she’s an inspiration to people that start little and work their way up … her career choices encourage me to take the same path and go to law school. The opportunities are kind of endless from there.”

Douglas’rag-to-riches story can be an inspirational example for people nationwide.

“The American dream is not dead because I am just a living example of it,” Patrice Douglas said in her press conference. “I’m the daughter of a sheet metal worker, and yet with the values he and my mother taught me and the opportunity to go to school at this great university, I learned the value of working hard to earn what I got and I’ve carried those family values, those hard-working values, with me: and I’ll take them with me to Washington.”

As she closed the press conference, Patrice Douglas encouraged the public to join her in praying for the long road ahead.

“I am so excited to represent Oklahoma at a national level,” Patrice Douglas said. “Say a prayer for me and my family as we go on this journey.”

 

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