Steidley announces re-election bid, cites progress in her district

A District Attorney under fire and under a grand jury investigation has announced her bid for re-election.

Janice Steidley came under fire last Fall when several police officers and deputies gathered for a press conference to blast her conduct as D.A. and to request an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Steidley, whose district includes Rogers, Mayes, and Craig Counties, soon fired back with an exclusive interview with KRMG.

She said lawmen in the district like to cut corners at times, and when she refused to play ball, they decided to push her out of office.

The grand jury and OSBI investigations continue, and so far no charges have been filed.

Meanwhile, on the political front, Steidley switched affiliation to Republican after winning office as a Democrat in 2010.

Her only announced opponent so far is also Republican, attorney Matt Ballard.

Her campaign website says Steidley has "proven her toughness by challenging the status quo and refusing to accept short cuts."

It lists some of her accomplishments as cutting costs in the D.A.'s office, improving the collection system for bogus checks, and adding an experienced sex crimes investigator to the office.

Candidates for the office will officially file in April.

The primary will take place June 24, and the general election Nov. 4 of this year.