Oklahoma has just come through 16 years of sorry leadership from the governor’s mansion.

Democrat Brad Henry and Republican Mary Fallin raised taxes, introduced casino gambling, increased the state debt by hundreds of millions of dollars and defeated legislation to stop abortion in Oklahoma.

Their legacies are shameful.

Now Oklahoma has a chance to take another giant step backwards with the candidacy of liberal Democrat Drew Edmondson. Edmondson is an old school Democrat, a politician that wants to tax and tax and tax and grow the size and scope of government.

Edmondson proved that over and over again as attorney general. He made sure that any conservative legislation – particularly against abortion – would not withstand his legal and immoral opinion. Edmondson thinks it is a waste of time to try to stop this slaughter of unborn babies.

Democrats ran this state for 100 years and now Republicans leaders who act like Democrats are in charge.

That must change if the state is to prosper.

Kevin Stitt is a highly successful businessman. He is a conservative family man who values his faith in Jesus Christ.

His candidacy is proof that Oklahomans are fed up with career politicians like Edmondson. They see the economic victories of President Trump – also a successful businessman – and they want to see that replicated in the Sooner State.

Edmondson would raise taxes, liberalize public education and appoint activist judges who could damage the state for a generation. Oklahoma needs business acumen at the top and a governor who will provide moral direction from his bully pulpit.

The Tulsa Beacon endorses Kevin Stitt for governor of Oklahoma.