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POLITICS: Economy to be focus of Calvey's campaign for Congress

By Erin Boeckman

Managing Editor

(POL) When asked what would be his focus during his campaign for the Fifth Congressional District, Republican Kevin Calvey replied: economy, economy, economy.

Calvey, a former state representative, officially filed for the congressional seat with the Oklahoma State Election Board, joining an already crowded race that, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, included two Democrats, four other Republicans and two Independents.

The economy leads the issues Calvey said he hopes to address if elected to represent Oklahoma in Washington D.C. Specifically, he said he wants to stop massive spending by the federal government. Calvey has also spoken critically of bailouts sponsored by the federal government.

"This cycle of printing money out of nowhere and bailing out every bank, company and country that gets in fiscal trouble has to stop," Calvey said in a news release. "Eventually all this debt has to be paid. Instead of pushing the problem off on the next generation, we have to start making the hard decisions and cut the size of our government. In Congress I will work to balance our budget here at home and keep our government from bailing out irresponsible countries abroad. No matter how hard it is to balance our books today, the problem will only get worse if we refuse to act."

National security will also be a focus of Calvey's campaign. He said the United States cannot ignore the threats posed by Islamic extremists.

Federal health care reform, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, has also gained Calvey's attention. He called the reform an "intrusion into the lives of Americans." If elected, he said he hopes to repeal the legislation or de-fund its programs.

Calvey has also filed suit to oppose the federal health care reforms and has invited others to become plaintiffs in the legal challenge, which claims that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

Although Calvey may face multiple opponents for his party's bid for the fifth district, he said he has already been blessed with a lot of support. His campaign is already in full swing, having announced his candidacy in March 2009, and he said he has made thousands of voter calls.

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As a former state representative, Kevin was known as a strong advocate for conservative values. Kevin served as the representative for District 94 in Del City from 1998 to 2006. He is the only Republican ever to win the district.

In 2005, Kevin authored House Bill 1547, the largest tax cut in state history, which saves Oklahoma taxpayers over $400,000,000 each year.

As the budget negotiator for the House Republicans during the 2003 revenue shortfall year, Kevin insisted on common-sense government spending discipline, and helped trim 7% from the state budget.

Kevin was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Disabled American Veterans. Kevin was also honored by the Oklahoma Rifle Association for his advocacy on Second Amendment issues. Kevin fought for pro-life legislation throughout his career. Kevin also received awards from the Oklahoma County Republican Party, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, the State Chamber of Commerce, and the National Federation of Independent Business.

After leaving the Legislature, Kevin served his country in Iraq during the 2007 troop surge. Right after the start of the Iraq War in 2003, Kevin sought a commission in the Army National Guard at age 37, "old" by Army standards. Kevin's mission in Iraq was to prosecute al Qaeda leaders and other terrorists in the Iraqi court system. Kevin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service.

Kevin is running for Fifth District Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Mary Fallin, who is running for Governor. As a member of Congress, Kevin will work to promote conservative, Constitutional free enterprise policies and to impede the liberal agenda being pushed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama.

Kevin is a member of the downtown Oklahoma City Rotary Club, Leadership Oklahoma, and Leadership Oklahoma City. He has taught a church youth class since 1996, except when deployed.

Several prominent conservative organizations have already endorsed Kevin: the Club for Growth, America's leading advocacy group for fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and limited government; the Oklahoma Rifle Association, the state's NRA affiliate; and the president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, the nation's premier advocate for border security and enforcement of immigration laws.

Calvey currently is a small businessman who lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Toni, and their baby daughter, Anastasia. Toni and Anastasia will travel back and forth with Kevin to Congress to stay together as a family as much as possible, and so Kevin and Toni can watch Anastasia grow.