Sam Graefe, the former vice chair of McClain County Election Board will be on the November 5 ballot as a Democrat for Senate District 43. He’ll face Republican Kendall Sacchieri, who beat incumbent Jessica Garvin in the June 18 primary.
Graefe was born in St. Louis, Missouri, into an extended family with a long history of public service. His father served in WWII in the Battle of the Bulge, an uncle was a USNA Annapolis graduate, lost at sea over Korea, and another served in the Korean War. Graefe’s son served with the Air Force during the Iraq war.
Graefe moved to Oklahoma in 2012 after retiring as an engineer in the refining, natural gas, and other industries. He raised a family in St. Louis. He is a proud father of four adult children, grandfather of 9, and uncle of 14. During retirement Sam served as a STEM educator as a longterm substitute teacher certified in Math, a GED instructor, and Community College Adjunct Instructor. Graefe had various other jobs which included being a Post Office Rural Carrier Associate.
Graefe said serving as a County Election Board member and Conservation District Director was a natural fit for a retired natural gas manager and engineer.
Voting is very important to Graefe. He said he has voted in every election since 1971 when the voting age was lowered to 18 years old. Making sure the polls run efficiently and without incident is a skill he honed over many years as a manager, and during his time as a Precinct Inspector going back to 2008.
Issues important to Graefe include conservation of natural resources and adapting to Climate Change.
Graefe lives in Dibble in Mc-Clain County, where he enjoys the Dibble Senior Center and attends Methodist and United Church of Christ churches. He has used his bass voice in praise for Baptist and Episcopalian choirs.
Graefe said his campaign is based on three messages. These include public education, infrastructure and everyday living, and his being a consensus conservative.
He said, “My most important priority is to hold politicians like Ryan Walters accountable. We do not have enough officeholders who are willing to work hard with each other to ensure the checks and balances are obeyed by every politician.”
Graefe said rural schools are being targeted by an agenda to replace public schools with private schools.
“Instead of making sure every dollar is leveraged to prepare the workforce for rural communities, we have officeholders like Mr. Walters who are leaving money on the table, wasting it on losing legal battles, or sending it to political insiders and private schools,” Graefe said “I will work with anyone of any party to make sure public schools get the funds and support they need to be successful.”
Graefe said Main Street and workforce development as well as diversifying the Oklahoma economy are critical to preserving the way of life in Oklahoma.
“We cannot neglect to make sure Oklahoma is preparing future workers and making them feel secure in staying in Oklahoma,” Graefe said. “We’ve got to reduce the waiting list in our career tech system. We’ve got to work with industry to reduce unnecessary barriers to young people eager to learn a trade. We’ve also got to stay up to speed on new industries that Oklahoma could embrace to conserve, but also maintain our most valuable resources and maximize the resources that we have in abundance like wind and solar.
Graefe said the political rhetoric and activities of many of Oklahoma’s elected officials is out of hand.
“We need to calm things down and build consensus. I’ve observed the power of consensus in the business world to find solutions that work for people,” Graefe said. “Extreme positions do not reflect a majority of the people’s priorities. Legislators need to step back from extreme politically divisive agendas and find solutions to the vitally important issues that matter to their constituents.”
Graefe said he will serve people; not the agendas of politically powerful operatives.
The Democrat candidate for SD-43 said there will be a meet and greet for him from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at Libby’s Cafe in Goldsby. The public is invited to attend.
