Stanley, Bracht face off in District 42 GOP Primary

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

One of eastern Oklahoma County’s most closely watched legislative primaries will be decided June 16 as Sen. Brenda Stanley defends her seat against conservative challenger Malana Bracht in the Oklahoma Senate District 42 Republican primary.

The district covers much of Midwest City, Choctaw and Jones in eastern Oklahoma County.

Stanley, who chairs the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, is seeking a third term in office. She emphasized her deep roots in the area.

“I have lived in Eastern Oklahoma County for the past 46 years, worked as an educator, a principal, and a project manager at Rose State College, and been active in community organizations for decades,” Stanley said. “This deep network of friends and colleagues empowers me to serve the people of District 42 better.”

Bracht, a cosmetology school graduate, former youth pastor and business owner, grew up in Midwest City. She said her connection to District 42 is deeply personal, recalling that she moved to Midwest City as a preteen after attending eight public schools across three Oklahoma County districts and experiencing what she described as an impoverished and difficult childhood.

“Midwest City was the safest and nicest place I had ever lived,” she said. “It was a dream come true.”

Bracht graduated from Midwest City High School and Mid-Del Technology Center in 2013. She later married, bought a home in the city and spent nearly a decade serving at-risk youth as a pastor alongside her husband, who worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 12 years.

“My life is proof that District 42 is the place where the American Dream, or better yet, the Oklahoma Dream is possible,” she said.

Bracht argues the district needs a stronger conservative voice at the Capitol. She has made Stanley’s voting record a central issue in her campaign, focusing on votes she said illustrate a philosophical divide between the candidates.

“My values and community advocacy experience of Pro-Life, Pro-Law-and-Order, and Pro-Lower Taxes reflect the values of the larger portion of the voter base,” Bracht said.

Bracht accuses Stanley of voting twice to allow driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants through HB 1519 in 2022 and SB 669 in 2023, and of voting against HB 3214, the Right to Conscience Act, in 2024.

Stanley disputes both characterizations. Regarding the driver’s license votes, she said she agreed to keep the legislation alive at the request of law enforcement and the governor to address high rates of uninsured motorists, but told the governor the provision would need to be removed for her to support final passage.

“I told the Governor that I would help keep the conversation going, but if that provision wasn’t removed, I would be a ‘No’ on the final vote,” Stanley said.

On HB 3214, Stanley said the bill would have created a loophole rather than closed one.

“Instead of creating a loophole where abortions and child sex changes could continue, I voted down HB 3214 and then completely banned abortion procedures and child sex change procedures for all physicians, not just those with a religious objection,” she said.

The race has also been marked by negative advertising.

Bracht addressed attack ads targeting her that raised questions about unpaid taxes, past support for Black Lives Matter while living in South Carolina and a campaign donation from former state Rep. Gus Blackwell.

“I want to be very clear: every one of those claims are misconstrued and a distraction from the real issue, which is my opponent’s voting record,” Bracht said, adding that she has posted documentation on her campaign website responding to each claim.

Stanley is no stranger to primary challenges. When asked what she learned from her 2022 contested primary, Stanley said campaigning has reinforced the importance of listening to voters.

“I learn something every time I have a conversation with my constituents – running for office the first time, to now for the last time, is basically a big conversation with the people,” Stanley said.

Stanley said she enjoys meeting residents throughout the district, whether reconnecting with longtime supporters or getting to know new voters.

“If I had to say one thing about the experience of running for office, it is that you have to be a good listener; the voters will tell you exactly what their problems are if you are willing to listen long enough,” she said.

Both candidates cited cost-of-living concerns and property taxes among the top issues raised by voters, though they differ on how to address them.

Stanley pointed to her support for a constitutional amendment limiting property tax growth and for eliminating the state sales tax on groceries.

Bracht called for an immediate freeze on property taxes for homeowners age 65 and older, regardless of income, and said her long-term goal is to eliminate property taxes entirely for homeowners who have paid off their mortgages.

“I shouldn’t have to then rent my paid off property to the government for the rest of my life at a variable rate,” Bracht said.

Bracht said voters also frequently ask about support for President Donald Trump and road conditions.

She said she voted for Trump three times and credits him with securing the southern border, eliminating ISIS and pursuing what she described as a peace-through-strength foreign policy. However, she said unconditional loyalty is not part of her campaign message.

“The beautiful part is I don’t have to worship or agree with everything the President does,” she said. “I have no control over him or his cabinet. My influence is local.”

Bracht said she has compiled a list of at least 15 locations in the district with significant pavement damage and called for better communication and a centralized tracking system for pothole repairs.

She also criticized what she described as inappropriate involvement by local mayors in the race, saying their opposition stems from uncertainty about working with a new legislative partner.

“I’m very disappointed with how the mayors have misused their offices to try to influence the election,” she said, while adding that she hopes to work constructively with local officials if elected. “Unity, not conformity is key for a thriving community.”

The winner of the June 16 Republican primary will advance to the November general election against Democrat Chris Jones.