Motherhood Puts Oklahoma's Gubernatorial Race in National Spotlight

Oklahoma's gubernatorial race was thrown into the national spotlight after a debate between the two candidates last week.

Monday, October 25th 2010, 11:02 pm

By: News 9


By Rusty Surette, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's gubernatorial race was thrown into the national spotlight after a debate between the two candidates last week.

Critics said Mary Fallin has been playing "the mother card" leading up to next week's election, but the Congresswoman said her statements have been taken out of context. Either way, it had people all across the country talking about Oklahoma.

The issue came up during last week's debate in Edmond at the University of Central Oklahoma when Mary Fallin was asked what's the difference between herself and her opponent Jari Askins.

"Being a mother and a wife is an important part of who I am as a person. I have been a businesswoman and served in both state and federal government, but I think my proudest achievement is raising my wonderful children," Fallin said during the gubernatorial debate. "If I am asked what 'defines' me, either as a candidate or as a person, I can't ignore being a mother or being a wife any more than I could my gender, my Christian faith, my conservative values, or my experience in both the private and public sector. All of those things affect who I am and how I see the world. They have absolutely nothing to do with my opponent, who is free to explain how her life experiences qualify her to be governor."

Fallin's opponent, Jari Askins, is single and has no children.

The mother-comment from Fallin has ignited a media firestorm. Major newspapers have written about it and shows like "The View" have covered it. One of the networks invited both candidates to appear on their morning show Tuesday morning. Askins accepted the invitation, but Fallin declined.

Fallin issued a statement Monday on the hot-topic stating, "If I am asked what 'defines' me, either as a candidate or as a person, I can't ignore being a mother or being a wife."

Fallin's campaign insisted her comments were taken out of context, but when Askins was asked her opinion on the comments she responded, "I think she said exactly what she meant."

Askins also added, "When you think about it, none of Oklahoma's governor's have ever been mothers."

However, Askins said she doesn't think being a mother is a qualification for being Oklahoma's next governor.

"I was surprised it came up in the debate itself under qualifications for the job. I've said from the very beginning that with two women running in the race, it was not a race about gender, it was a race about qualifications," Askins said during a campaign stop in Shawnee Monday.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

October 25th, 2010

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 27th, 2024

March 27th, 2024