Rep. Gann applauds Inola trustees’ unanimous vote to extend smelter moratorium

Gann Applauds Inola Trustees’ Unanimous Vote to Extend Smelter Moratorium

INOLA, OKLAHOMA (Sept. 15th) — State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, today praised the Inola Board of Trustees for unanimously extending the town’s moratorium concerning the proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter through April 7, 2027.

Gann said the vote represents an important exercise of local self-government and protects the right of Inola citizens to help determine the future of their own community.

Muskogee faces $29.25M judgment, weighing options on taxpayer impact

The City of Muskogee is paying the piper for some awful management decisions nearly twenty years ago. The City is about to be on the hook for over $29,000,000 in judgments on three lawsuits over derelict properties that were condemned and demolished by the city in 2007.

Apparently, multiple mayors and city councils have punted on wrapping these particular cases up, to the point that what was probably "damages" well under a million dollars have now turned into over twenty nine million dollars that Muskogee taxpayers are now somehow going to have to pay. I wonder how much of that sum is interest – and legal fees. 

The impact to Muskogee taxpayers, and property owners in particular, could be extreme. Among the options some have floated include a temporary 25% property tax hike.

Here's a letter explaining the situation from the man with the most unenviable job in town right now, City Manager Kendal Francis:

Muskogee Public Schools seeks input on proposed 2027 Bond projects

MPS Seeks Input On Proposed 2027 Bond Projects

MUSKOGEE (August 24, 2026) – Muskogee Public Schools is seeking public input from patrons as it considers projects and priorities for a proposed 2027 bond issue. The district’s Long-Range Planning Committee, composed of community members, district leadership, staff, and other stakeholders, has been intentional in considering both the district's needs and the financial impact on local taxpayers.

A community survey will be available August 24 through September 4, 2026, allowing patrons to provide feedback on potential bond priorities and help the committee determine which needs should be prioritized.  Patrons may take the community survey at https://forms.gle/cbFc7iJPeRzAhso79

Final hours: Mazzei endorsed by Markwayne Mullin, OK Freedom Caucus

In the closing hours of the Republican runoff election, gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei held a "tele-rally" with President Donald Trump. During the call, Trump announced that Oklahoma's Markwayne Mullin was joining him in endorsing Mazzei for Governor.

AG to Muskogee schools: 1st Amendment did not require canceling prayer walk

Drummond tells Muskogee schools the First Amendment did not require canceling prayer walk, offers future support

OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 21, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond today advised Muskogee Public Schools that it was under no constitutional obligation to cancel a community prayer walk earlier this month, and offered this Office’s assistance to any Oklahoma district that receives a similar demand.

Muskogee 6th and 7th Grade Academy had scheduled a Back to School Community Prayer Walk for the morning of August 12, the day before classes began. A Wisconsin-based advocacy organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, sent the district a letter the day before the event demanding its cancellation. The district canceled the walk, removed the announcements and notified parents.

In a letter to Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall, Drummond concluded that no student was required to be on campus that day, that no student faced any consequence for staying away, and that the walk was scheduled at an hour when no instructional period existed to interrupt.

2026 Runoff Election Day: Links and Resources

Tomorrow (Tuesday, August 25th) is the Oklahoma Primary Election. If you haven't voted yet either by absentee or early in-person, you will have from 7:00am to 7:00pm to cast your ballots. If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.

Below is a brief summary of my picks on various Republican runoff races and the state questions, as well as some links to additional resources about the election and GOP candidates that you may find helpful.

My Picks for the 2026 Oklahoma Runoff and State Questions

Tuesday, August 25th is the Oklahoma Runoff Election, and voters all across the state will be heading to the polls to decide nominees in a number of statewide and local races, as well as two State Questions. Hopefully the information in this post will be helpful with your voting plans. If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.

Below are a few of my voting picks. I have included links to additional helpful resources, endorsements, and voter guides at the bottom:

State Sen. Shane Jett endorses Mazzei for Governor

State Sen. Shane Jett, head of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, is backing Mike Mazzei for Governor, joining a host of other conservative legislators and activists in picking Mazzei over Drummond:

🇺🇸 JETT ENDORSES MAZZEI 🇺🇸

As one of the most conservative senators in the Oklahoma Legislature, my focus has always been representing taxpayers, not state agencies and certainly not lobbyists.

I endorse Mike Mazzei for Governor because I value integrity and put policy above… pic.twitter.com/8682HoFS10

— Shane David Jett (@shanejett) August 18, 2026

Desperate Drummond demands drug test

As a sign of how desperate and flailing his campaign is in the closing days of this gubernatorial runoff, Genter Drummond is now demanding that Mike Mazzei submit to the same drug test that he took. It's worth noting that the physician quoted in this press release is a rabid Drummond supporter, who actively mocks Mazzei on social media.

I think it's interesting that the Drummond campaign feels that they're losing to someone who, in their mind, simply must be a drug-addled weirdo. That's the clear indication that they're giving off. Childish and unbecoming of someone who wants to be your governor.

DRUMMOND RELEASES CLEAN HAIR FOLLICLE TEST, CALLS ON MAZZEI TO DO THE SAME

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (August 17th) — Republican candidate for Governor Gentner Drummond today released the results of a clean hair drug test capable of detecting drug use over an approximately 90-day period and challenged Mike Mazzei to take and release the results of the same test.

Don't fall for smears: Win with Quinn on August 25th

Marty Quinn, candidate for Insurance Commissioner, has responded to shameful smears by his opponent, attacking Quinn for being born in Arkansas (I wish that was just a joke... as if one can do anything about where you are born!) and for moving to Arkansas to care for aging parents in their final days.

Yes, Bob Sullivan and his supporters are attacking Marty Quinn for prioritizing ailing family a few years back. That's a real jerk move.

I have known Quinn for over fifteen years. He is a man of sincere character and real integrity, the kind of man who would give the shirt off his back if you needed it. He's devoted to his church and his family. This man believes in service and putting others first. He's not the kind of man to malign and besmirch his opposition, because he believes in a positive vision for Oklahoma and setting an example for others.

Drummond's "Deplorables"

I ran across this observation from Karen Hardin of  Awake Oklahoma, and it was too good to not pass along:

DRUMMOND CALLS SOME REPUBLICANS FASCISTS

Much like the ill-fated statement of Hillary Clinton, when she stated half of Donald Trump's supporters belonged in a "basket of deplorables," so gubernatorial candidate, Gentner Drummond stepped in it big time after he called some Republicans "fascists."

Drummond, who is running as a Republican after years of... donating to Democrats, evidently let his true feelings be known. 

There's plenty of reasons to oppose Gentner Drummond's candidacy, but you can add him being the Antifa candidate to the list!

Jake Merrick, Rep. Jim Shaw endorse Mazzei for Governor

As the runoff election draws closer, Mike Mazzei continues to win endorsements from grassroots conservative activists and legislators across the state. Two of the latest are conservative champion State Rep. Jim Shaw (R-Chandler) and Jake Merrick, who placed fourth in the June primary for governor. are choosing Mazzei over a floundering Gentner Drummond who is increasingly appealing to moderates and liberals with his campaign rhetoric.

Merrick made his support known in this video released on the 12th: