[Ed. note: Wade Burleson of Enid has authorized the Times & Free Press to publish the following paid political announcement of his candidacy for U.S. Congress, Third District, subject to the June 28 Republican primary election.]

Wade Burleson, a Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District, currently held by Frank Lucas for the past 28 years, will be speaking at two upcoming events in the Kingfisher area.

The Cedar Gate, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday May 11, and at a candidate forum at the Kingfisher County Farm Bureau at 7 p.m. Tuesday May 17.

The Republican primary will be held on June 28, and the last day to register to vote in the primary election is June 3.

Wade’s maternal and paternal ancestors lived in Oklahoma before statehood, and he was born in Oklahoma City in 1961. Wade attended Business School at Baylor University where he met his wife, Rachelle, and he later graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Finance from East Central University in Ada.

Wade and Rachelle were married in 1983 and they have four adult children and four grandchildren. Rachelle Burleson, DNP, APRN, CNS, is currently the chief nursing officer of Enid’s regional medical center.

Wade served as the lead pastor of Emmanuel Enid for 30 years until his retirement in January 2022. He served two terms as president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Wade is a successful author with several published books and articles on American history and biblical theology.

Wade is a vocal champion for informed consent in medicine, parental choice in education, free and open markets in business, and non-governmental interference in ranching and farming. He has a broad knowledge of history, and a belief in the concept of Natural Law: “Do all you have agreed to do, and do not encroach on other persons or their property”.

In a recent letter addressed to “Dear Future Constituent,” Burleson wrote: “When I decided to run for Congress, I called my opponent, Frank Lucas. I told him that I respected his service as our 14-term, 28-year Congressman. I also explained that as I begin to draw a distinction between his voting record and my conservative principles, I would never attack him personally. Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neal were great friends who respected each other, even though they had two different visions for our country.

“Frank Lucas speaks conservatively, but I came to realize that his voting record does not actually reflect the conservative values of myself, or of the many constituents who asked me to run for office. His lifetime voting scores from independent agencies that rate Congressmen in terms of conservative values are as follows: Freedom Index – 58%; Heritage Action – 62%, Club for Growth – 62%, Citizens Against Government Waste – 66%.

In light of this, why did former President Donald Trump recently endorse Frank Lucas? “It is complex, but if you are able to join me at one of these local speaking events, I will have enough time to explain.

“If the Lord allows me to win a Congressional seat, it will not be due to the Washington establishment, PAC funding, or high-level endorsements. It will be because the good Lord has convinced you that I am a man of my word, and I will go to Washington, D.C., to protect your life, your liberty, and your private property from increasing federal encroachment.

“I am not a career politician. But I know the people of western Oklahoma. I am one. We are strong, independent believers in God and the rule of law. Oklahoma doesn’t need Washington. Our nation’s capital needs the values and character of the people of Oklahoma. I’ll make sure they get it.”

“I invite you to join me at one of these events so that I can hear what is important to you: The Cedar Gate, 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, County Road N2740, Kingfisher, or the Farm Bureau at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 117 W. Sheridan Ave, Kingfisher, for a candidate forum.”