October 13--Thad Balkman: How to be an informed voter:
Thad Balkman is a district judge for the District 21 Court in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. He was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin to carry out the remainder of Judge Tom A. Lucas's term, who retired in August 2013.  Balkman ran for re-election in 2014 to the 21st District Court. As an unopposed candidate, he was automatically re-elected without appearing on the ballot.  His term expires on January 13, 2019.  Balkman earned a B.A. in political science from Brigham Young University in 1994, and a J.D. from Oklahoma University School of Law in 1998.  He and his wife Amy have 4 children. It's always good to have you Thad! You are a wealth of information in helping us find information to be a more informed voter on the candidates and the state questions.