Revolt at OCPAC? An abrupt change of tune, apology, and invitation for State Auditor to speak

I posted previously about Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Commitee (OCPAC) President Bob Linn's odd obsession with attacking State Auditor Cindy Byrd. Today, there seems to have been an abrupt change of tune. But first, a little bit of background.

"The Numbers Don't Lie": State Auditor to present audit facts at OK2A meeting

State Auditor Cindy Byrd has been the subject of a whisper campaign by OCPAC President Bob Linn, alleging misconduct in several audits in recent years by the State Auditor's office (namely, Epic Charter Schools and the Oklahoma State Department of Health). Cathy Costello recently weighed in on OCPAC's agitation against State Auditor Byrd, taking a sabbatical from her frequent invites to sing at OCPAC meetings over an encounter with a guest speaker who was brought in to attack Byrd.

Linn has seemingly refused to have Byrd come to OCPAC to present her defense to his attacks, but the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association is evidently willing to hear her side.

Byrd will be speaking at the OK2A meeting this Tuesday evening in Oklahoma City. Details below:

 UPDATE: here is a video recording of the meeting (should start at the pertinent section at 23:23).

Costello weighs in on OCPAC's agitation against State Auditor Cindy Byrd

From the folks over at IgniteLiberty, here is another post in the saga of OCPAC President Bob Linn's obsession with attacking State Auditor Cindy Byrd:

Letters to the Editor: Cathy Costello Letter to OCPAC Following Romero Attack 

Rumors have been swirling recently that Bob Linn and OCPAC's crusade against Cindy Byrd was going to culminate in the organization endorsing Mike Romero to run against Cindy in the upcoming statewide primaries. Many conservatives believe that this is one of, if not the main, reason why OCPAC invited Romero to give a presentation about the OSDH scandal a few years back which involved the "missing" $30M (it was never actually missing).  

Curiously enough, and in a manner that would be fitting with an attempt to attack a future political opponent, Romero's presentation made a point of attempting to tie Cindy Byrd to the audit of the OSDH scandal, even though Gary Jones was the State Auditor and Inspector at the time that was responsible for the audit. 

Following Romero's presentation, Andrew Speno and Cathy Costello went to talk to him about the inclusion of Byrd in the presentation. What follows is a letter from Mrs. Costello sent to Bob Linn, president of OCPAC, that details that account:

Bob, I wanted to give a little time and space from the incident last week before responding. When you invited me to sing for OCPAC, I was unaware who Mike Romero was. You told me he would be talking about corruption at the health dept. I did remember hearing something about 30 million missing from the health dept., but that it was eventually found.

It is always good to hear all sides of a story, even if it's 4-5 years old. I saw several people in line speaking to Mr. Romero after his presentation. I decided to go over and simply introduce myself. I shook his hand and told him I was the widow of Labor Commissioner Mark Costello.

While I was standing there, I heard Andrew Speno ask Mr. Romero, in a CALM tone, why he kept showing Cindy Byrd's picture next to Gary Jones, frequently referring to "they," and mentioning her name. He asked what Cindy Byrd had to do with this situation at the health dept. Mr. Romera became agitated and denied he had done this during the presentation. But...he had in fact said, "Gary Jones and Cindy Byrd would not talk to me" and he did in fact show Cindy Byrd's photo multiple times, saying "they" and giving the impression that she was involved. He then began blaming Cindy and holding her responsible.

Mr. Romero's response to Andrew Speno's question was so adolescent. Raising his voice, he yelled, "I'm the son of immigrants!! Those people on the screen made fun of my last name because it ends in an O!!!" I immediately thought to myself, this man is so thinned skinned and immature, he has no business in government. I also thought, my name ends in an O and so does Andrew's.   

Click here to read the rest of Costello's letter.

Now Public: State Auditor's response to persistent allegations by OCPAC President

The Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC) has a decades-long history of involvement in Oklahoma politics, most famously under founder and longtime president Charlie Meadows. Meadows retired from leading the group in 2015, and there seems to have been a shift in direction and focus under the latest OCPAC president, Bob Linn.

For over a year now, Linn has been fixated on State Auditor Cindy Byrd, making almost weekly references to her in OCPAC emails regarding the 2017 financial mismanagement scandal at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Linn has made numerous open records requests and claims that Byrd is dragging her feet and attempting "to thwart [his] attempt to reveal the full truth regarding the OSDH scandal."

Today, the blog Ignite Liberty posted a letter that Byrd sent in October to OCPAC board members, the first public revelation of this other than a brief mention by Linn in an OCPAC email the following week:

Ignite Liberty Exclusive: State Auditor Issues Response to OCPAC Allegations 
[excerpt; full article link]

Anyone who receives the weekly emails from OCPAC or have attended any of their meetings over the past year plus knows that OCPAC President Bob Linn has continuously criticized State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd and her office for an alleged lack of timeliness in response to numerous Open Records Requests that Mr. Linn had submitted through an entity known as Corporations Funding Education, and not through OCPAC itself.

Hefner announces endorsements from multiple conservative groups in OKC mayoral race

MULTIPLE CONSERVATIVE GROUPS ENDORSE CAROL HEFNER FOR OKC MAYOR

Oklahoma City, OK-- Today, community leader and candidate for Mayor of Oklahoma City Carol Hefner announced she has been endorsed by multiple Conservative groups and organizations, including Oklahomans For Health & Parental Rights, the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC), Veterans of Foreign Wars Oklahoma County, Ignite Liberty, and the Oklahoma County GOP.

Oklahoma GOP legislators ask battleground legislatures to verify legitimacy of their elections

OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS APPEAL TO BATTLEGROUND STATES

[November 21, 2020]  State Senator Rob Standridge (R-Norman) is leading a nationwide charge to maintain the integrity of Presidential elections in battleground states.  Republican members of the Oklahoma Senate and House have signed letters imploring State Legislatures to fulfill their Constitutional responsibility to verify the legitimacy of their elections. 

"We are asking for a fair process to make sure there is no voting fraud,” Sen. Rob Standridge says.  “The US Constitution clearly spells out the role of State Legislatures in a Presidential election.  State lawmakers are the most direct representation of the people and, if the will of the people is not reflected in a Presidential election, legislatures have an obligation to intervene and investigate on behalf of their constituents.  We are not making accusations.  We are asking for an impartial investigation to ensure their results are accurate."

Oklahoma House members, led by Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City), sent a similar letter to the same battleground states:  Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona.

OCPAC, Meadows, Blair urge Fisher voters to support Stitt

In the latest email from the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee, three prominent members in the organization called for conservatives of all stripes, but supporters of Dan Fisher in particular, to vote for Kevin Stitt in the gubernatorial runoff.

New OCPAC President Bob Linn, former president Charlie Meadows, and Pastor Paul Blair all wrote in support of Stitt. Their comments are posted below:

NOTE TO OKLAHOMA ACTIVISTS, Bob Linn (OCPAC President)

The state of the Church is a matter of concern and requires our continued prayer and involvement.  A weak Church does not, however, relieve us of the very responsibilities we have been urging God’s people to assume for more than a year now.  I write this today to respond to a group of “Christian activists” who have indicated they will be inactive this Tuesday when the opportunity to vote for Kevin Stitt presents itself.  Yet, Governor Stitt represents the conservative political leadership that will mean our best chance for an open door at the very top of Oklahoma government.  OCPAC and Oklahoma’s other conservative groups will never have the ear of Mick Cornett.  We have that possibility with Kevin Stitt.  I urge all our readers and the 36,000 Dan Fisher voters to help place a potential friend in the Governor’s seat on Tuesday!

Pastor Paul Blair's Take on the Republican Runoff Election

In 2016, I decided to support Ted Cruz for President.  While none of the candidates checked every box, he was the one with whom I was most comfortable.  As we know, Donald Trump won the nomination.  In the general election, I crossed my fingers and voted against Hillary and voted for Trump.  Although there are days I shake my head, by and large, I have been pleased with the majority of President Trump's decisions.

In 2018, I was a strong supporter of my dear friend Dan Fisher.  Dan was a known commodity.  We knew exactly what we'd get with Dan.  Unfortunately, money matters in campaigns and we didn't have the money to gain the necessary name ID for Dan to win.

So here we are.  Either Drew Edmondson, Mick Cornett or Kevin Stitt will be our next Governor.

I cannot support Edmondson.  He is honest in his campaign, but he honestly supports things I don't - higher taxes, government control,  abortion on demand, LGBT agenda, etc.

I like Mick personally.  I remember his days as a sportscaster.  However, Mick was wrong in leading OKC in creating a special "protected class" for LGBT personnel.  LGBT is not a race or gender; it is behavior that the Bible classifies as sinful.  He intentionally betrayed Oklahomans who still believe the Bible is God's Word.  At best, Mick is a moderate Republican along the lines of a John Kasich.

Much like Trump, Kevin Stitt is an unknown.  However, I have had the opportunity to visit with him on several occasions since the primary and two things impress me.  1) He is a successful businessman who understands a balance sheet and demands accountability.  That is something we must have as our current state government is a circus.  2)  He recognizes areas in which he does not have great depth and needs help.   A good leader doesn't have to have all the answers, but must surround himself with counselors that are experts in their fields and do have the answers.

I am hopeful that Governor Stitt will surround himself with "our people" - small government, freedom loving, abortion hating, state sovereignty minded counselors.  If we support him and he trusts us, we will have that opportunity.  If we attack him and alienate him, why would he trust us?

Is Stitt a sure thing?  Nope.  But consider all the "sure things" who conned OCPAC during the interview process and currently hold office at 23rd and Lincoln.  The only sure things for Governor had the last names of Brogdon and Fisher, but I know what we'll get with Edmondson or Cornett.

I will be voting for Kevin Stitt for Governor.  Mary turned out to be Oklahoma's biggest disappointment.  I am hopeful that Stitt will be Oklahoma's most pleasant surprise. 

Charlie Meadows in North Pole, Alaska   

This in from North Pole, Alaska:  Charlie says, “If you don’t vote for Kevin Stitt this Tuesday, Santa Clause will not visit your house this Christmas!”

Charlie filled in at North Pole’s Santa’s House for a few minutes on Saturday where he also made himself available for political commentary.  Unconfirmed rumors have been overheard that he actually granted the youngest of Kevin Stitt’s six children their Christmas wish that daddy would be our next governor!

Charlie continued to say, “In all seriousness, it is time for us to vote for the better of the two Republicans.  That is clearly Kevin Stitt.  We know who Mick Cornett is.  He has a track record.  He is not a conservative.  Kevin’s core values are conservative.  We have a much better chance of him governing according to the principles of good government.  Members of OCPAC and other grass roots conservatives have a far better opportunity to share conservative values with Kevin Stitt than we do with Mick Cornett.  Mick Cornett is squarely in the lap of 'the tall building crowd' and will govern according to their wishes.

To refuse to vote for anyone who does not carry the Fisher banner to abolish abortion and re-establish state sovereignty sounds very principled.  Dan did an excellent job of articulating with clarity the importance of these twin issues.  However, last June 26, 92% of all Republicans chose a candidate with a different message.  To force Stitt to commit to the Fisher message would only guarantee his defeat.  Stitt has said nothing, that I am aware of, which would keep him from supporting either of these lofty goals sometime in the future.  We need to help him, as only a Stitt victory will give us a governor who is not committed to establishment funding."