Oklahoma 1st District
Kevin Hern (R) gave up the seat to run for U. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussJohn Croisant
Democrat · Tulsa school board member and former teacher
B-Liberty Score B-82 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Croisant has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Croisant.
Raised $217,469 since January 2025: 99% from people, 1% the candidate’s own money, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Mark Tedford
Republican · Oklahoma state representative and insurance executive
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Tedford has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Tedford.
Raised $2,490,274 since January 2025: 62% the candidate’s own money, 24% from people, 12% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mark Tedford. Mark Tedford: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. John Croisant: B-, 82 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Oklahoma: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
John Croisant, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Croisant, so the grade above comes from this list: what Croisant has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Said voters are tired of the war in Iran.
“They're tired of the war in Iran”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He names the war but no policy such as a deal, sanctions or a vote, so it is unclear.
-
Says America should not be starting or continuing forever wars and spends too much on other militaries.
“not starting nor continuing forever wars around the world”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No country, Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO is named, so it does not settle the measure.
-
Says government should not dictate the media and criticises lawsuits that silenced differing views.
“The government's role isn't supposed to be dictating the media, as it should remain independent, without restriction of opinions, nor the truth”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government control and pressure on the press is the anti-censorship side.
-
Asked what Representative Hern had done to stop the tariffs and tied them to higher food prices.
“Has Kevin Hern done anything to stop the tariffs? I haven't seen anything”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the free-market side of the free markets test.
-
Says he believes in the separation of church and state.
“I believe in the separation of church and state”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Separating church and state, with no favoured religion in public schools, is the secular side.
-
Believes in a secure border and holding people who break the law accountable.
“I believe in a secure border and that people who are actively breaking the law should be held accountable in order to keep our communities safe”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a secure border and enforcement of the law is the border-security side.
-
Wants long-term residents to have a real, accessible path to citizenship.
“Long-term residents who pay taxes, contribute to their communities, and have built their lives here should have a real, accessible path to citizenship”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people living here, including those without status, is on the against side.
Mark Tedford, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Tedford, so the grade above comes from this list: what Tedford has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Says the United States should stand with Israel and support its right to defend itself.
“The United States should stand with Israel, protect our shared security interests, and support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself is with liberty on free nations.
-
Says foreign policy should put national security first, support key allies and avoid entanglements without a clear American interest.
“avoid foreign entanglements that do not serve a clear American interest”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He names no country, NATO, Ukraine or Taiwan, so the words do not settle a side.
-
Says that in the state house he helped pass the largest tax cut in Oklahoma history.
“In the statehouse, Mark helped pass the largest tax cut in Oklahoma history”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Passing a named tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
-
Says males should not compete in women's sports or use spaces reserved for women.
“Males should not compete in women’s sports or occupy spaces reserved for women.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
-
Says America should maintain a strong military.
“We should maintain a strong military, support key allies, and avoid foreign entanglements that do not serve a clear American interest.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Maintaining a strong military is with liberty on defense.
-
Says sanctuary cities weaken the rule of law and that immigration laws should always be enforced.
“Immigration laws should always be enforced, and local governments must cooperate with federal authorities to protect citizens.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies and backing enforcement is with liberty on borders.
-
Lists support for deporting criminal aliens as part of his immigration plan.
“Support deportation of criminal aliens”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who break the law is with liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Oklahoma 1st District
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