In his lemon yellow shirt with socks to match, Clark Duffe may have been the odd man out at a forum in Del City for candidates for Oklahoma's fifth congressional district. Nevertheless, voters gave the independent candidate a chance to explain his views, even though many did not agree with what he had to say.

Duffe, a member of the Libertarian party, along with Republican James Lankford and Democrat Billy Coyle attended the forum Sept. 23 at the Del City Community Center. The event was hosted by the Del City Chamber of Commerce and directed by Ken Bartlett, a member of city council for ward three. The candidates are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, who is vacating her seat to run for governor.

Each candidate gave a five-minute introduction. The audience of about 50 was then split into three groups. Each candidate spent 20 minutes with each group answering questions and clarifying their platforms.  

With his first group, Lankford was asked about issues ranging from immigration reform and the federal deficit to health care reform. Lankford told the group he is a proponent of private insurance and individuals having control of their health care, rather than it being controlled by the federal government. He said he would have voted against recent health care legislation.

"This is not the way to go," he said.

Lankford defeated former Del City State Rep. Kevin Calvey in a runoff election Aug. 24. Seven Republicans vied for the seat in the July primary election. Lankford placed first, and Calvey finished second, which necessitated a runoff. Lankford has spent his career as the director of the Falls Creek Youth Camp, one of the largest Christian summer camps in the country. He stepped down as head of the camp in Southern Oklahoma to run for office.

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Coyle, an attorney and former Marine, was asked about his stance on the United States supporting Israel, especially in light of threats toward the country by Iran. One woman said she felt President Barack Obama has not shown enough support for Israel.

"The U.S. needs to support Israel," Coyle said.

When confronted with questions of a preemptive strike on Iran, Coyle said he does not support such measures based on what so far have been empty threats by that country's president. However, as a former Marine, he said, the United States will have to make a decision if it wants to fight a war with Iran, if that becomes inevitable.

"If Iran is dumb enough to challenge us, there will be consequences," he said. "But I don't think we're there yet."

Duffe, a state employee, received a polite, but often chilly reception, when he touted such measures as allowing adults to possess a certain amount of controlled substances. He said drug laws on the books have failed, which has led to ongoing drug-related violence. Duffe shrugged when one man told him that he would definitely not get his vote Nov. 2.

Other participants questioned Duffe about his convictions to run, and if he felt he was hurting the other two candidates by potentially taking away their votes.

"Anyone who votes for James Lankford is taking a vote away from Billy Coyle," he said. "That's just how it works."

Virgil Tague of Del City said he was voting for Lankford, but appreciated the chance to hear from all three candidates.

"It was interesting," Tague said."Kelley Chambers

top photo James Lankford talks to attendees at the Sept. 23 candidate forum hosted by the Del City Chamber of Commerce. Photo/Kelley Chambers
bottom photo Clark Duffe (from left), Billy Coyle and James Lankford take part in a candidate forum Sept. 23 in Del City. Photo/Kelley Chambers