One of the most interesting primary races this season will play out this Tuesday in Oklahoma. Kalyn Free is taking on an establishment candidate about 2 clicks right of the DLC - Dan Boren, the 31 year old son of former governor David Boren.
Free has strong progressive positions on labor and education and an admirable biography. A native American (the district has one of the largest Native American populations in the country), Free put herself through college and law school before becoming, at 23, the youngest lawyer ever hired by the Justice Department. She made her reputation prosecuting crimes against women and children. She's an Emily's List featured candidate, a Dean Dozen candidate, and a 21st Century Democrats "Ten for Tomorrow" candidate.
Boren has taken funds from Haliburton and Pfizer and campaigned with Toby Keith. A deficit hawk, he's been endorsed by the NDN. He supports Oklahoma's "right to work" legislation.
No one thought Free had a chance a few months ago, but I've heard that Boren's internal polls show a competitive race. The campaign has turned decidedly negative, with Boren accusing Free of being soft on child molesters and Free accusing Boren of cutting funds for the elderly. (Neither charge seems to have much merit.)
It's hard to tell from the outside who is getting the better of these exchanges, though the media reporting clearly favors Boren.
Is anyone watching this race? It's a fairly safe Democratic seat - Brad Carson is the incumbent - and a Free victory might change the conversation about the potential of progressive/populist candidates in the South.