Friends of COM Run for Office

Posted in Central Oklahoma Mensa on July 28, 2002

COM member Donna Davis has announced she is running as an Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the Fifth District. Donna frequently contributes artwork, poetry, and political satire to the Mensokie, under her pen name D.K. Oklahoma.

Donna’s husband, Richard Prawdzienski, is also running for public office. Chairperson of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, Richard is running as an Independent for Oklahoma State House Seat #39. Richard recently spoke at a very lively COM speaker meeting. Click ‘Read More’ below for more information on the candidates.

Donna Davis (from 7/10/02 press release):
“Donna C. Davis, Independent candidate from Edmond, brings maturity, brains and a common sense approach to government into her race for Fifth District, House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress.

“Davis, 65, (D.O.B.: 9/4/36 Place: Oklahoma City, OK) retired from the Air Force Civil Service in l991 with 16 years experience as a contracts negotiator on the MILSTAR Program, Electronics Systems Division. She graduated magna cum laude from OCU; completed her Masters degree training in Communications Disorders from the OU Medical School and is currently a member of MENSA, the international high-I.Q organization. A former elementary school counselor for emotionally disturbed children in Indiana, Davis also taught public school in Oklahoma City while raising her family of three daughters and a stepson. For several years she worked as feature editor for newspapers in Oklahoma and Indiana and wrote a restaurant column in additional to freelance writing for a number of publications. She is currently a political humorist and travel feature writer with frequent contributions to AAA’s Home and Away and numerous newsletters, including MENSA’s Mensokie.

“Under the penname D.K. Oklahoma, she is a national awarding-winning, published playwright, and member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers. She owned Donna Oklahoma Studio and Art Gallery on Paseo for several years and participated in many art shows and craft fairs with paintings and originally designed jewelry. She currently maintains a home studio where she continues to paint and create original stained glass art for sale in various galleries. Her plays and musical comedies are regularly performed in community theaters and schools across the country. In the year 2001, the Francis Wilson Community Theatre of Clearwater, FL presented two sold-out runs of her original comedies with ticket sales in excess of $50,000.

“I am grateful for a busy and interesting life,” says Davis/Oklahoma. “My governmental, educational, cultural and business experience along with my personal level of maturity offers a unique perspective on the complex problems of our challenging world. I come from a long-lived line of American pioneers and I hope to contribute something back to this beautiful, wonderful country which has afforded us so many rich opportunities for happiness and success.”

“Davis is married to Richard Prawdzienski, a Purple-Heart U.S. Marine and son of Polish immigrants. She is also a member of the Edmond Art Association and the Oklahoma Writers Association and is a frequent speaker and teacher of the various arts.

“Campaign Headquarters phone (405) 844-7577 (FAX) 844-1404 (CELL) 613-3513 Campaign Address: 1712 Timber Ridge Road, Edmond Ok 73034

“Platform: Advocate individual rights, opportunity and responsibility. Stop the misdirected Drug War and put drugs back into the hands of medical professionals, not police. Modernize drug approval processes to reduce drug development costs and subsequent cost of medications. Reduce taxes for seniors and military. Support a free market economy. Strengthen American families with community support and counseling.”

Richard Prawdzienski (from 7/11/02 email):
“Libertarian, Richard Prawdzienski is running as an Independent for Oklahoma State House Seat #39 against incumbent Jim Pettigrew. Pettigrew was elected in Nov 1994, faced a democrat challenger in 96, and ran uncontested in 1998 and 2000.

“In the last two years Pettigrew introduced some controversial bills. A bill to levy 4.5% state tax on groceries that are sold on Indian land. Prawdzienski needs expert to get him up to speed on this issue. Pettigrew introduced a bill to require poor folks to be fingerprinted if they apply for welfare. Pettigrew tried to increase state diesel fuel tax by 50% and gasoline tax by 12.5%

“In the recent Oklahoma Libertarian Index for 2002, Pettigrew scored 39; 100 is pure Libertarian.

“Prawdzienski, if elected, will be allowed to introduce eight bills. His initial plans call for bills to:

• Remove income restrictions for senior to qualify for property assessment/valuation freeze.
• Provide veterans one additional income tax exemption for their service.
• To restrict state administrators from prohibiting smoking on private property.
• To insure all retirees, regardless of source of income, to have the same income tax exemptions.
• To end the insane drug war.
• Remove state sales tax on groceries and non prescription drugs.

“Prawdzienski is open to suggestions and consider model bills and ideas on:

• Gay rights?
• Woman rights?
• Tort laws?
• Criminal laws?
• Insurance? Consumers are not told exact reason for denial.
• Motor vehicle laws?
• ????

“Citing Oklahoma Statute Title number and proposed wording changes will be helpful.

“In order for Richard Prawdzienski to win he will need to run an active campaign. He will need to raise a minimum of $32,000 to get on the radar screen. If you can help, help with time, help with a cash donation small or big, please email him at: decision1776@aol.com or call 405-844-7577.”