OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — Candidates from across the state gathered this week for Candidate School, a one-day program designed to give prospective officeholders a practical, real-world look at what it takes to run — and win — a campaign.
Rick Vernon, a candidate for State Senate District 38, said the experience reinforced both the scale of the work ahead and the value of learning directly from people who have been through it.
“I really enjoyed the day today,” Vernon said. “I enjoyed all the speakers and the programs. I learned a lot of useful information.”
Throughout the day, participants heard from campaign professionals, elected officials, and policy leaders on topics ranging from campaign structure to voter outreach and governing. According to Emily Crouch, State Chamber of Oklahoma senior vice president of government affairs, the program is intentionally built around realism rather than theory.
“Our goal is to help candidates understand what it takes to run a disciplined, ethical, and effective campaign,” Crouch said. “Candidate School gives first-time and returning candidates a solid foundation and a realistic look at the day-to-day demands of campaigning.”
For Vernon, the biggest takeaways weren’t flashy tactics, but fundamentals that often determine whether a campaign succeeds.
“The strategy is to listen to your consultant,” he said. “Another strategy is to knock on doors. Knock on doors. Surround yourself with people you trust, put in the work, leave it all in the field, and try to win.”
Vernon also drew connections between Candidate School and his participation in the Leadership Exchange Academy, noting that both programs emphasize preparation, perspective, and understanding the full scope of public service.
“This past summer, I learned a lot about being a candidate,” he said. “We also learned about the whole process — public policy, the state Capitol, governing, and what the issues are. We talked about some of that today too.”
He said hearing from current and former legislators helped ground the discussion in real-world experience, including what happens after a campaign ends and governing begins.
“There are tremendous resources here and tremendous experience,” Vernon said. “It helps you understand not just how to run, but what it means once you’re elected.”
When asked what ultimately motivated him to run for office, Vernon pointed to a desire for steady, issue-focused leadership at the Capitol. “I just feel like there’s a need for leadership in Oklahoma right now,” he said. “We need people who are serious about governing and focused on the issues.”
