JIM Roth is right on the money in surmising that his nomination to serve on the Oklahoma State Election Board is being scuttled because of “politics run amok.” There's plenty of that going on these days in and around the Capitol.

Roth would bring to the election board a bright mind and great passion, just as he did as an Oklahoma County commissioner and a member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. We would argue that Roth was one of the best elected officials in the county's history. Government needs more people like him, not fewer.

Gov. Mary Fallin recognizes Roth's abilities, which is why she plucked his name from the 11 submitted by the state Democratic Party to be considered for the election board post. In her view, he was the most qualified.

If members of the Senate Rules Committee would spend 10 minutes with Roth, they would come away impressed by his professionalism and ability. Our guess is some members may know him already or know of him — including the fact Roth is gay. Could that possibly be the reason why his nomination isn't being heard? Committee Chairman Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher, insists the answer is no.