Republican primary for House District 95 features incumbent, former official, newcomer

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

A sitting lawmaker, a comeback politician with a controversial past and a political newcomer are squaring off in the Republican primary for House District 95 on June 16.

Rep. Max Wolfley is facing primary challengers Brent Rinehart, a former Oklahoma City councilman and Oklahoma County commissioner, and newcomer Alexander Yoder.

The district includes much of Midwest City, Tinker Air Force Base and parts of far northern Cleveland County.

Wolfley, a retired educator, was first elected in 2020 when he defeated Democratic Rep. Kelly Albright. He said he’s driven to provide opportunities for future generations.

“[I am] working to make sure our citizens, especially our kids and grandkids, have opportunities for good jobs and home ownership so they can fully enjoy the blessings our Constitution protects,” he said.

Wolfley said his experience sets him apart from his challengers.

“The lessons gained from teaching school for four decades and raising a family of eight kids with Brenda, my high school sweetheart and wife of 52 years, give me insight into how we create the best environment for everyone to succeed.”

He also highlighted his record in office, including education funding and tax policy.

“We’ve made huge investments in education, in particular, two teacher raises and the Strong Reader’s Act along with a focus on the classroom environment with the cell phone ban. All of this without a tax hike. In fact, we’ve eliminated the grocery sales tax, cut income taxes by a half per cent and allowed everyone to make more before they even begin to pay tax. In addition, we’ve put Oklahoma on a path to eventually have no income tax.”

Wolfley said affordability remains the top concern he hears from voters.

“Ever escalating property taxes and rising insurance premiums squeezing the budgets of young families, seniors and everyone in between.”

Challenger Rinehart, who owns a heating and cooling business, said he decided to enter the race after speaking with voters in the district.

“I did not make the decision to run until the evening prior to last filing day, after going door to door through the district verifying voters were as fed up with business as usual as I was,” he said.

He framed his candidacy as a break from establishment politics.

“I was motivated to run for the state legislature to expose the waste, faint-heartedness and establishment rubber stamping, defining our current representative,” he said. “My local record proves I cut spending, streamlined public operations and fought corrupt systems.”

Rinehart contrasted his approach with Wolfley’s.

“My opponent settles for the ground fruit — bruised, useless legislation like naming a state mushroom. He brags about the low hanging fruit, like hiking 911 fees, that accomplishes nothing,” he said. “I look to the top. Reaching that pristine fruit is dangerous. It means fighting the establishment, braving threats, and being called names by the good ol’ boy network.”

On government spending and reform, Rinehart said bloated bureaucracy diverts tax dollars before they reach the public.

“Think of the best charities: they spend only 10% on overhead. So 90% of your donation goes straight to the cause. Government does exactly the opposite. Massive bureaucracy and bloated staffing swallow your tax dollars before tangible benefits even reach the public. From whence they came.”

He also said he would push to make state efficiency reports binding rather than advisory.

“The Oklahoma legislature can easily ignore or block their reports. I am running to change that and turn these good ideas into binding real reform.”

Rinehart was a controversial figure during his time as county commissioner. He was accused of firing county employees in favor of political supporters, produced a comic book attacking political foes and, most notably, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor campaign contribution violation in October 2009. He was fined $1,000 and received a deferred sentence. Because the violation was a misdemeanor and did not involve embezzlement, state law does not preclude him from running.

Asked about those controversies, Rinehart said the system retaliated against his record rather than defeating it.

“Because voters need to know the system didn’t defeat my record — it retaliated against it, exactly like what happened to Donald Trump. The good ol’ boys thought that voting me out after a relentless smear campaign would silence me permanently. But as I run for House District 95, voters should not look at manufactured baggage; they should be looking at my exact warnings about the county jail that history has proved 100% correct. Now that same group wants to soak the taxpayers for $900 million! I lost an election because I dared to shine a light on their backroom shenanigans, but my legacy of building infrastructure and fighting corruption remains undefeated. Donald Trump was pushed out of office in 2020 by an entrenched establishment that used every weapon in its arsenal against him. Yet, he launched a comeback. My current legislative bid is about finishing what I started. Taxpayers support me because a lost election wasn’t a failure — it was proof that I am the only outsider willing to take the hits required to protect Oklahoma families. It’s not baggage; it’s scars earned during the fight.”

Wolfley challenged voters to do their own research.

“Before casting your ballot, I encourage you to research my voting record and then Google: County Commissioner Brent Rinehart followed by any of the following words or phrases- pleads guilty, rezoning, Walter Ray Pelfrey, bridge to donor, tax liens, mortgage, investigations, comic book,” Wolfley said.

Yoder, who challenged Wolfley in the 2024 primary, is running on a platform centered on transparency and direct citizen engagement with government.

“I want to step up and get people involved in governance, as the government is supposed to serve the people, and with that create a more direct interface between the two, requiring absolute transparency,” Yoder said.

He said his experience working and living in the area informs his perspective.

“I’ve lived in Midwest City proper for about 4 years now, though I had lived near Midwest City (Spencer) for about 10 years, and I graduated from Choctaw High School. My Dad has lived in the area for more than 15 years and I had my daughter born here. I have roots in Midwest City and its surrounding area.”

Yoder said voters are focused heavily on government spending and accountability.

“The biggest concern I hear about is how their local and state government spends their money. How more money goes to the schools but the kids aren’t getting any better,” he said.

He also criticized the pace of public projects and government decision-making.

“The biggest hurdle that District 95 faces is to not be pawns of someone’s game, but to actually get projects we need done on time and not as part of some ploy,” Yoder said. “District 95 should be furious, not grateful. This is why we need FULL transparency.”

The winner of the primary election will face Democrat Tegan Malone and independent candidate Ryan Gardner in the November general election. If none of the Republican candidates receive a majority of the votes in the primary, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the runoff primary in August.