OKGOP has second best off-year fundraising year on record

OKGOP Announces Successful Fundraising Year

(Oklahoma City)- Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell today announced the completion of one of the most successful fundraising years in an off-election year in Oklahoma Republican Party history. Over the course of 2011, the OKGOP set new records for amounts raised in two of the four fundraising quarters, and ended the year with the second best off-year on record raising over $454,000, second only to the 2007 off-election year under then Chairman Gary Jones and Victory Director Matt Pinnell.

The OKGOP is bound by both Oklahoma Ethics Commission and Federal Election Commission rules which limit the amount an individual can contribute and bans corporate contributions.

"To be able to raise over $450,000 in an off-year with the strict contribution limits we have is very rewarding," said Chairman Pinnell. "This puts us ahead of schedule as we enter one of the most crucial election cycles in a generation. It's going to take money and boots on the ground to ensure that Barack Obama is a one-term President. The fact that Oklahomans have generously contributed to our Party--and continue to do so--puts us on strong financial footing. Oklahomans have said loud and clear with their financial investment that Obama must go. We look forward to working with voters and activists all across this state to make that a reality."

Saturday: George Faught for Congress Kickoff Rally, 2nd District GOP meeting

George Faught for Congress Kickoff Rally

(Muskogee, OK) - The George Faught for Congress campaign invites the public to its kickoff rally this Saturday, July 30th, to announce his run for the 2nd District Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Dan Boren in 2012.

“America faces challenging times ahead that will require tough decisions,” Faught stated. “I am ready to take Oklahoma’s common sense, conservative approach to tackle the difficult issues in Washington D.C.”

The rally will be held at the Muskogee Civic Center outdoor pavilion (4th and Okmulgee) at 11:00am.  The press is invited to attend. Following the rally will be the quarterly 2nd District GOP meeting held at the Farm Bureau building (28 East Shawnee Road). An optional lunch is provided for $5 per person.

The Saga Continues: Cherokee Election Part II

After weeks of recount after recount, with Chad Smith and Bill John Baker alternating leads, the Cherokee Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot determine who really won the June 25th election for principal chief.

A date has not yet been set for a re-vote. Baker has called for Smith to set the election on August 13th, the day before the original inauguration for the new chief.

Final tally shows Smith up by 7 votes [UPDATE: Recount has Baker by 266]

In what is sure to be a hotly contested issue, the Cherokee Election Commission announced that, contrary to the unofficial results released Saturday evening, Principal Chief Chad Smith did in fact beat challenger Bill John Baker by seven votes (Smith 7,609 to Baker 7,602). The original tally on Saturday showed Baker winning by eleven (Baker 7,600 - Smith 7,589).

There were about 250 challenged ballots, which will be the focal point of an expected recount.

UPDATE: an official recount ended up showing Bill John Baker with 7,613 votes, and Chad Smith with 7,347 - giving a Baker a victory margin of 266 votes. Smith is appealing for an electronic recount.

Nailbiter: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Election

The Cherokee Nation voted today on a host of offices and questions, from term limits changes, to Tribal Council, all the way to Principal Chief. The results are still coming in, and they are interesting.

As of 10:45pm, incumbent chief Chad Smith had 7,567 votes and challenger Bill John Baker had received 7,559.

Honestly, I have never paid any attention to tribal politics, so I didn't expect Smith to be in any trouble. Baker had been leading all evening until about 10:30pm (and at times was leading by over 700 votes). We will see how the final results shake out by morning - I would assume that there would be a recount, given how close the results are so far.

UPDATE: Bill John Baker appears to have won the election, at least for the time being. The unofficial results show Baker with 7,600 votes, and Chad Smith with 7,589. There will more than likely be some legal wrangling over the ballots, so don't expect it to be over too soon.

Rivals in everything: Checotah, Eufaula mayoral races decided by one vote

Eufaula, population 2605. Home of the Ironheads. McIntosh County seat.
Checotah, population 3049. Home of the Wildcats. Think they should be the county seat.

Rivals in everything. And now, it would seem, rivals even to the point of election results. Both towns held a mayoral election on Tuesday; Checotah had four candidates, Eufaula had three.

Checotah mayoral results:
Marvin Nichols: 331 votes (37.49%)
Jay Hayes: 330 votes (37.37%)
Bernita Rittenhouse: 191 (21.63%)
Bruce Hammontree: 31 (3.51%)

Eufaula mayoral results:
Selina Jayne-Dornan: 294 (39.3%)
Nancy M. Mouser: 293 (39.1%)
Chad French: 162 (21.6%)

Talk about a cross-county rivalry!

McLarty Endorses Wagner for RNC Chair

RNC Chair candidate Ann Wagner (a former Missouri GOP chair, US Ambassador, and RNC Co-Chair) picked up an endorsement by the Oklahoma GOP's third RNC vote - National Committeewoman Carolyn McLarty on Sunday. OKGOP Chairman Matt Pinnell and National Committeeman James Dunn, the other two votes Oklahoma has, both endorsed Reince Priebus last week.

McLarty issued the following letter to RNC members, announcing her intent to support Wagner.

After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to commit my support to Ann Wagner for RNC Chairman. I believe she is the most completely qualified and capable candidate running.

Ann holds her conservative values dearly. She is right-on on the issues. She knows the dangers of letting our freedoms slip away to big government control. She observed this directly during her ambassador service in Europe. As a result, she has a deep-seated concern about the direction our country is going.

Ann has firsthand experience on the RNC as a member and as Co-Chair. She has the political and managerial experience of running the State Party and a statewide campaign in the powerful swing state of Missouri.

Ann Wagner has the diplomatic skills to be a persuasive spokesperson and professional representative for the Republican Party to the press, to the major donors, to the legislative leadership, and to the public.

Ann is a person that can be trusted to use our dollars wisely and efficiently. She can inspire the confidence of major donors and of Mom and Pop donors around the country.

The election of Ann Wagner as RNC Chairman will clearly demonstrate the RNC’s determination to recover from controversy, to unify, and to set a steady, forward course to Victory in 2012.

According to National Review's Hotline On Call blog, the race currently stands as follows: Reince Priebus is first (30 votes), Michael Steele in second (15 votes), Ann Wagner in third (12 votes), Saul Anuzis in fourth (10 votes), Maria Cino in fifth (6 votes). Over half of all RNC voting members are still uncommitted, so this could go to any of the current candidates.


You can visit Wagner's website here, and watch her announcement video below.

Pinnell, Dunn Endorse Reince Priebus for RNC Chair

Wisconsin GOP Chairman and RNC Chair candidate Reince Priebus picked up two of Oklahoma's three Republican National Committee votes, as State GOP Chairman Matt Pinnell and National Committeeman James Dunn endorsed Priebus.






State Chairman Matt Pinnell: "We have a number of qualified candidates for RNC Chair - but at the end of the day I was most comfortable with Reince's qualifications and vision for the RNC. Reince is a Young Gun GOP rising star, and represents the best and the future of this Party."





National Committeeman James Dunn: "Reince Priebus has consistently demonstrated his ability and desire to work with all Republicans with differing views to find the common ground required for the RNC to achieve victory in 2012.  Reince has a long history of leading his state party to record election victories and organizational fund raising while upholding the integrity and honor of Republican values.  His commitment to lead with a servant's heart convinces me that Reince Priebus is the right Republican for the 2012 campaign cycle as RNC Chairman."



Currently, National Committeewoman Carolyn McLarty is undeclared as to her support.

According to National Journal's Hotline On Call blog, Priebus leads the field of six candidates in public commitments thus far with 22. Current chairman Michael Steele is in second place with 12 commitments. It takes 85 votes to win the election; last time, it took six rounds of voting to whittle the candidates down enough for Michael Steele to emerge as victor.

Watch Priebus' YouTube candidacy announcement video here:

Coburn Endorses Greg Treat in SD47

Dr. Coburn endorses Greg Treat for State Senate

Says Treat is “committed to limited government, passionate about pro-life issues, and dedicated to making Oklahoma a better place to work…”

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today announced his endorsement of Greg Treat to be Oklahoma’s next State Senator for District 47.

“In the special election for Senate District 47 on January 11, I am proud to endorse Greg Treat for Senate,” Dr. Coburn said.  “Greg Treat has worked with me for several years and I know he is committed to limited government, passionate about pro-life issues, and dedicated to making Oklahoma a better place to work and raise our families.

“The voters of Senate District 47 can trust that Greg Treat has the courage and integrity to fight wasteful spending, hold politicians and bureaucrats accountable to taxpayers, and do what is right and best for the long term future of our state,” Dr. Coburn said.  "On Tuesday, January 11, I encourage the voters of Senate District 47 to elect Greg Treat to the Oklahoma State Senate."

Greg Treat welcomed Dr. Coburn’s endorsement today, saying, “I am proud to receive the endorsement of Dr. Tom Coburn in my candidacy to represent the voters of Senate District 47 at the State Capitol. I have worked side by side with Dr. Coburn over the years and admire his principled, uncompromising approach to life and politics. I am humbled by his support and will continue working hard to bring that same principled approach to the State Capitol while representing the people of Senate District 47.”

Greg Treat is a dedicated Christian, a devoted husband and father, and a lifelong conservative Republican who is working hard to be Oklahoma’s next state senator. As state Senator, Greg will focus on creating the best business environment possible in Oklahoma to help grow Oklahoma’s economy and create jobs. Greg has vowed to be a watchdog for Oklahoma taxpayers, sniffing out wasteful spending in the state budget.

A special election will be held on January 11, 2011 to elect the next State Senator for District 47.

For more information on Greg Treat, please visit: www.gregtreat.com.