"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.

Election Results Maps: Labor Commissioner runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the Labor Commissioner runoff . Last week, I posted the maps for the State Auditor and Attorney General runoffs, and yesterday I posted the GOP Corporation Commission runoff.

Cathy Costello held a 7-point lead in the primary, but ended up losing by 4.68% to Leslie Osborn. Costello did very well in the southeast, won the Tulsa metro, but Osborn handily beat her in most of the rest of the state. Multiple counties, including Oklahoma County, went Osborn's way by less than 3%, but Costello was unable to make up that deficit in the Tulsa metro.

During the primary, Costello led in 52 counties while Osborn led in 19. That was substantially reversed in the runoff. Costello ended up winning only 17 counties (two of which went to Swinton in the primary), while Osborn won 60 counties (flipping 3 Swinton counties and 37 Costello counties).

My picks for the 2018 Oklahoma GOP runoff

Early and absentee voting is underway for the 2018 Oklahoma runoff election, with the bulk of ballots to be cast on Tuesday. As is my custom, I will be discussing my picks for the Republican races in this post.

Some of these candidates I am in wholehearted support of. Others will receive my vote with some reservations or primarily because the other options are worse. If I've written a separate post on a particular race or candidate, their name will be hyperlinked, and you can read in more detail by clicking the link. Candidates that I enthusiastically support will be in bold.

Governor: Kevin Stitt
I will be voting for Kevin Stitt without reservation. The vulgar and crude direction Mick Cornett has taken with his campaign speaks volumes about his lack of character. Under Kevin Stitt, I believe we would have a Governor who is willing to hold the line and rein in government. Stitt is the only choice for conservatives in this runoff.

Lieutenant Governor: Matt Pinnell
I 100% support Matt Pinnell, and anticipate him making a great Lieutenant Governor.

State Auditor: Cindy Byrd
As Deputy State Auditor under Gary Jones, Byrd has been an major part of the work the Auditor's office has done during Jones' tenure. In the last eight years, she has uncovered over $10M in fraud and waste, leading to the indictment or resignation of six elected officials. She will carry on that stellar performance, and will continue to uncover waste in government. She has earned the endorsement of State Auditor Gary Jones, and I concur with his pick.

The Auditor's race is one of the most crucial offices that we as Oklahomans vote on. If we get it right, the potential for holding government accountable and uncovering waste goes up. Get it wrong and corruption gets hidden.

Charlie Prater is running a crooked campaign, and is literally supported by disgraced former politicians that the Auditor's office got convicted of crimes. Prater should not be allowed anywhere near the office of State Auditor.

Attorney General: Mike Hunter
I will be voting against Gentner Drummond. The race for Attorney General has been extraordinarily negative. Drummond in particular has been running a slimy race that is disgraceful of any person seeking the position of top law enforcement officer in the state.

Hunter isn't clean as the wind-driven snow in this race, either, with both candidates exhibiting the worst stereotypes of slick, dirty lawyers slinging mud at each other. I'm quite frankly disgusted by this race. However, Drummond has far surpassed Hunter in dirty campaigning.

Michael Bates makes a good argument (as usual) in favor of Hunter and in opposition of Drummond: "[I]n a time when freedom of conscience is under attack, particularly with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity, we need an Attorney General who will stand up for our rights, and Gentner Drummond is a major backer of a judicial candidate who believes that adoption agencies should be forced by government to violate their beliefs; Drummond himself refused to express an opinion on SB1140, which protects the rights of adoption agencies to make decisions in the best interests of the child and in accordance with their values."

I am not a Mike Hunter fan, but Gentner Drummond and his handlers are running one of THE sleaziest, dirtiest campaigns I've ever witnessed. I cast a protest vote in the primary, but will vote Hunter in the runoff to keep Drummond and his ilk far away from public office.

State Superintendent: Linda Murphy
Incumbent Joy Hofmeister is in the pocket of the leftist unions that are the biggest problem facing education in Oklahoma. Linda Murphy led the charge against Common Core, and will bring much-needed reforms to the State Department of Education.

Labor Commissioner: Cathy Costello
Cathy Costello will continue the work done by her late husband, Labor Commissioner Mark Costello. She is facing Leslie Osborn, who over the past few years has compromised and tossed aside just about every conservative principle she once espoused. Osborn led the charge for higher taxes, voted to make it easier for the Legislature to raise taxes, and called for war to be waged against the principled conservatives in the Legislature. Tom Coburn has endorsed Costello, and I fully support her candidacy as well.

Osborn has been running a nasty campaign against Costello, pushing bald-faced lies and misrepresentations about Costello's record and history. It should come as no surprise that she is being supported by the AFL-CIO and the same Hillary Clinton bundler that supports Mick Cornett, or that her campaign is being run by the same cabal that is running the extremely negative campaigns of Drummond and third-party groups attacking conservative legislators.

Corporation Commissioner: Bob Anthony
While I am not a fan of his having been on the Corporation Commissioner since before I was born, I do believe Anthony has been a solid conservative in his position (the same can't be said for most who have been on the Commission). His challenger is former State Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman, who ended his legislative career with a less-than-satisfactory Conservative Index score of 59. This is Anthony's last eligible race due to term limits.

1st Congressional District: Tim Harris
Kevin Hern's campaign has been supported by the moderate establishment wing of the DC GOP. Meanwhile, Tim Harris is being supported by OKWU President Everett Piper and former Congressman Jim Bridenstine's dad. The two best choices in this race were eliminated in the primary, and neither Harris nor Hern have major points that push themselves ahead of the other in my view. If I was in the 1st District, I'd vote for Tim Harris, while not expecting either of the two candidates to come close to Jim Bridenstine's conservatism.

Legislative races
The future direction of the Oklahoma Legislature is at stake this primary season. This past few legislative sessions, conservatives in the Legislature have fought and stood up for the taxpayer against an overwhelming onslaught of higher taxes and liberal policies, pushed by their own GOP leadership and governor. Freshmen classes for the last several elections have been major disappointments, co-opted by power-hungry moderates who have decided to wage civil war on conservatives.

It is vitally important that proven conservative incumbents be reelected, and that new conservatives win in open seats or oust liberal compromisers.

I don't know about candidates in all of the races, but I feel comfortable enough to make the following recommendations.

HD10: Rep. Travis Dunlap
HD14: Rep. George Faught
HD20: Rep. Bobby Cleveland
HD27: Dave Spaulding
HD30: Kent Glesener
HD36: Rep. Sean Roberts
HD41: Denise Hader
HD63: Rep. Jeff Coody
HD68: Nicole Nixon
HD79: Dan Hicks
HD80: Rep. Mike Ritze
HD101: Rep. Tess Teague

Tulsa County Assessor: John Wright

OTHER VIEWPOINTS:

Michael Bates of BatesLine.com has a great post with his thoughts on the runoffs here. I agree with almost everything he wrote.
KFAQ's Pat Campbell has done radio interviews with many statewide and legislative candidates here (some were eliminated in the primary).

Pre-Runoff Finance Reports: Labor Commissioner race

Continuing through the pre-runoff campaign finance reports, we'll now look at the race for Labor Commissioner. The Republicans are in a runoff, while the Democrats have a nominee. As with the previous races, totals below are race-to-date.

REPUBLICANS

Cathy Costello
Total raised: $623,735 (includes $525,050 loan)
Total spent: $475,761.30
Total cash-on-hand: $147,973.70
Burn rate: 76.28%

Leslie Osborn
Total raised: $619,406.77 ($143,882.08 transferred from State House account)
Total spent: $508,854.06
Total cash-on-hand: $110,552.71
Burn rate: 82.15%

Keith Swinton
Total raised: $2,950 ($2,700 personal loan)
Total spent: $2,950.00
Total cash-on-hand: $50.00


DEMOCRATS

Fred Dorrell
Total raised: $7,530.00 ($1,000 in-kind)
Total spent: $6,440.50
Total cash-on-hand: $89.50
Burn rate: 98.63%

Sam Mis-soum
Total raised: $3,000
Total spent: $2,900
Total cash-on-hand: $100.00

Poll: Stitt leads by 10%; other primary leaders ahead in their races

The Remington Research Group has released an extensive new poll on all of the GOP runoff races.

Remington Research Group GOP Runoff Poll (link)  1,757 likely Republican runoff voters, conducted August 1st and 2nd.
Overall MoE +/- 2.3%. 

Governor:

• Kevin Stitt- 47%
• Mick Cornett - 37% 
• Undecided - 16%

Stitt leads Cornett in the 1st District (56%-28%), 2nd District (52%-28%), among conservatives (50%-35%), self-identified Christian voters (53%-32%), among Trump voters (54%-33%), and among Tea Party supporters (54%-25%).

Cornett leads in the 5th District (47%-41%), among moderates (43%-39%), liberals (43%-21%), traditional Republicans (57%-28%), and libertarians (41%-34%).

The 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts are tied up, with Stitt at 42% and Cornett at 41% in both.

Lieutenant Governor:

• Dana Murphy - 40% 
• Matt Pinnell - 32% 
• Undecided - 28%

Murphy leads in the 1st District (36%-32%), 3rd District (46%-28%), 4th District (40%-33%), 5th District (46%-30%), among moderates (48%-22%), liberals (31%-20%), traditional GOP (50%-25%), Trump voters (40%-32%), libertarians (49%-27%) and Tea Party supporters (46%-19%).

Pinnell leads in the 2nd District (35%-31%). Conservatives narrowly lean to Murphy (38%-35%) while Christian voters are tied at 37%.

State Auditor:

• Cindy Byrd - 35% 
• Charlie Prater - 33% 
• Undecided - 32%

Most demographics are either a narrow Byrd lead or a statistical tie.

Attorney General:

• Mike Hunter - 46% 
• Gentner Drummond - 37% 
• Undecided - 17%

Hunter leads in the 3rd District (48%-33%), 4th District (50%-32%), 5th District (51%-32%), among every ideological breakdown, and among traditional GOP, Christian, and Trump voters.

Drummond leads in the 1st District (46%-39%), 2nd District (44%-40%), among libertarian (42%-39%) and Tea Party voters (44%-30%).

State Superintendent:

• Joy Hofmeister - 50% 
• Linda Murphy - 33% 
• Undecided - 17%

Hofmeister leads in every demographic/ideological category.

Labor Commissioner:

• Cathy Costello - 40% 
• Leslie Osborn - 32% 
• Undecided - 28%

Costello leads in the 1st District (41%-28%), 2nd District (38%-27%), 3rd District (38%-35%), and 5th District (47%-35%). She also leads among conservatives (43%-31%), traditional GOP (39%-35%), Christian (43%-33%), Trump supporters (39%-32%), and Tea Party supporters (51%-20%).

Osborn leads among liberals (34%-24%), moderates (36%-35%), and libertarians (40%-39%). The 4th District is a 37%-37% tie.

Corporation Commissioner:

• Bob Anthony - 50% 
• Brian Bingman - 30% 
• Undecided - 20%

Anthony leads every category except libertarian GOP, where Bingman leads 40% to 36%.

Crosstabs for the poll can be viewed here.

Ted Cruz endorses Cathy Costello in Labor Commission runoff

Costello and Cruz at a presidential campaign event in 2016

SENATOR TED CRUZ ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO

(July 30, 2018) U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) announces his official endorsement for Cathy Costello in the race for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner.  Sen. Cruz won Oklahoma's GOP Presidential Primary in 2016 with more than 158,000 Republican votes.

    "Our republic requires an active participation by all of us and it's encouraging when solid conservatives step up to run for office," Ted Cruz says.  "I'm asking Oklahoma voters to carefully consider the choices before them in this election cycle and to stand with those who have proven themselves to be conservatives of conviction.  In the race for Labor Commissioner, I am proud to endorse Cathy Costello, and I urge the voters of Oklahoma to join me by supporting her."

    Sen. Cruz won Oklahoma’s Republican Presidential primary with a strong conservative message and statewide community contact.  Cathy Costello is campaigning across Oklahoma the same way.

    "I am deeply honored to receive this endorsement from the leading conservative lawmaker in American politics," says Cathy Costello.  "Senator Cruz and I met often during his Presidential campaign and I know he is a man of integrity and principle.  He fought tirelessly to improve mental health legislation in Congress.  I want the voters of Oklahoma to know that Senator Ted Cruz and I are both cut from the same cloth.  We both came from humble beginnings and worked our way to success, we value the integrity of workers in the free market, and we both are determined to fight for limited government."

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary runoff for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for August 28 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Costello leads Labor Commissioner race in latest poll

COSTELLO DOMINATES LABOR COMMISSIONER RACE IN LATEST POLL

July 28, 2018 -- The latest polling on the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner race shows Cathy Costello with a commanding 10% lead over her primary runoff opponent.  The survey was conducted last week by Sooner Poll and News 9 among 483 registered Republican voters.

    “We found Cathy Costello’s platform of conservative values and limited government is resonating with Republican voters,” says Bill Shapard, CEO of SoonerPoll.  “Labor Commissioner is considered a down-ballot race so we still have quite a few undecided voters.  But that 10% lead will be extremely difficult for her opponent, Leslie Osborn, to overcome with just a month left in the campaign.  Costello is ahead in every demographic except voters between the ages of 25-34.  If the candidates evenly split the remaining undecided votes, Costello would win with 55%, which is considered a landslide victory.”

    The poll also shows Costello has the most support from Tulsa with a 15 point lead over Osborn and an 11 point lead among conservatives.

    SoonerPoll is Oklahoma’s only independent, non-partisan polling firm. The final numbers show Cathy Costello with 32%, Leslie Osborn with 22%, and 46% of GOP voters undecided.  The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.88%.

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary runoff for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for August 28 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Stitt and Cornett tied at 37.5% in latest poll

It's a dead heat in the GOP gubernatorial runoff

SoonerPoll/News9/News on 6 Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Poll (link) 

483 likely Oklahoma voters, conducted July 18th to 20th. Overall MoE +/- 4.46%. 

• Mick Cornett - 37.5%
• Kevin Stitt - 37.5%
• Undecided - 25.0%

You can view the full crosstabs here.


Other races polled:

Attorney General
Mike Hunter: 38.6%
Gentner Drummond: 29.1%
Undecided: 32.3%

State Superintendent
Joy Hofmeister: 42.9%
Linda Murphy: 30.1%
Undecided: 27.0%

Labor Commissioner
Cathy Costello: 31.8%
Leslie Osborn: 22.1%
Undecided: 46.1%

State Sen. Boggs endorses Costello for Labor Commissioner

SEN. LARRY BOGGS ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO AS BEST FOR RURAL OKLAHOMA

    State Senator Larry Boggs is endorsing fellow conservative, Cathy Costello, in the race for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner.  Larry Boggs is the former Director of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and he is encouraging all rural Oklahomans to vote for Costello.

   “Cathy Costello best represents the conservative values of rural Oklahoma and she knows what it takes to create good jobs,” Sen. Larry Boggs (R-Wilburton) says.  “She wants to get rid of unnecessary occupational licensing that puts a disproportionate burden on people who work in rural areas.  She wants to address mental health issues in the workplace, including substance abuse and addiction, that hold back rural Oklahomans from getting and keeping quality jobs.  Cathy is the only candidate talking about Oklahoma’s high workplace fatality rates — especially in agriculture.  Southeast Oklahoma has all the potential for an economic boom and the right Labor Commissioner can make the difference.  She wants to build our workers to be ready for jobs in agriculture, energy and the emerging markets of tomorrow.  Cathy Costello will help us develop the workforce we need.”

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary runoff for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for August 28 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Election Results Map: GOP Labor Comm Primary

For the latest installment in my Election Results Maps series, we now take a look at the GOP Labor Commissioner race. As is my custom, I try to match primary results map colors to campaign logos when possible.

Both vote leader Cathy Costello and second-place Leslie Osborn had outright majorities in one county each. Costello held a plurality lead in 51 counties, while Osborn did so in 18 counties.

Third-place candidate Keith Swinton got plurality leads in five southeastern counties, and received 30%+ and/or second-place in almost every other county in the southeastern quadrant of the state. In most of the rest of the state, he was in the high-teens or low- to mid-20s.

Latimer County was a dead tie between Costello and Osborn (166 votes, 33.67%), with Swinton a close third (161 votes, 32.66%).

As no candidate received an outright majority, Costello and Osborn will face each other in the August 28th runoff election.

UPDATE: Leslie Osborn has been caught issuing a false claim of endorsement by Swinton, whose voters will decide the runoff election. Read all about it here.

Insurance Comm. Doak endorses Costello for Labor Commish

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER JOHN DOAK ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER

    Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, John Doak, is endorsing conservative Republican Cathy Costello in the race for Labor Commissioner.

    “Cathy Costello is a successful businesswoman who knows first-hand the burden that red tape and government bureaucracy puts on small businesses,” Commissioner Doak says.  “I have known Cathy and Mark Costello since 2010.  I can assure you Cathy will bring a refreshing private sector perspective to the Labor Department.”

    Costello’s private sector experience includes starting her own business at age 15 and ultimately founding eight companies in six different industries.

    “Cathy is uniquely qualified to run the agency in an efficient manner free from the waste, fraud and abuse associated with government regulators,” says John Doak.  “She is a job creating entrepreneur who is respectful to all. I urge you to join with me in voting for Cathy Costello, because she is the conservative candidate in the race for Labor Commissioner.”

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for June 26, 2018 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Costello thanks AFL-CIO for endorsing her opponent

CATHY COSTELLO THANKS AFL-CIO FOR ENDORSING LESLIE OSBORN

    The AFL-CIO has announced its endorsement of Leslie Osborn in the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner race and Cathy Costello is happy to see the union is supporting her opponent.

    "The AFL-CIO kingpins have no interest in what is best for the people of Oklahoma," Cathy Costello says. "The leadership of the AFL-CIO is notoriously liberal, operating as a political machine, that has prioritized its agenda above the interest of workers across the country. Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly passed Right To Work yet AFL-CIO bosses have relentlessly fought to reverse that law so they can strong-arm our workers into paying union dues. I proudly stand against the entire AFL-CIO agenda.”

    The labor union’s endorsement of Cathy Costello’s GOP primary challenger, Leslie Osborn, highlights the difference between the candidates.

    “The AFL-CIO engages in substantial political spending and activism, typically in support of Democrats and liberal or progressive policies,” says labor author and historian, Timothy J. Minchin.

    “Today, the AFL-CIO appears to exist primarily to launder union dues into the campaign war chests of Democrats who don’t even deliver on the core organized labor agenda,” according to American Conservative contributor, Grant Starrett.

    “The AFL-CIO does not represent rank-and-file workers — it represents liberal activism,” says Costello. “Republican voters in Oklahoma can judge candidates by the company they keep. The union bosses’ endorsement of Leslie Osborn says more than I could in a thousand campaign commercials.”

         Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health. She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

       The Republican primary for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for June 26, 2018 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Leslie Osborn endorsed by the AFL-CIO

In a rather unhelpful move for a Republican primary, the AFL-CIO has endorsed GOP Labor Commissioner candidate Leslie Osborn in a mailer sent and paid for by the Oklahoma branch of the leftist labor union.

Evidently, spelling is not a strong point for the AFL-CIO, as the mailer they issued noted that it was a "Rebuplican Primary Election Alert".

Chalk this up for more compelling evidence that conservative Republicans should reject liberal Leslie Osborn and vote for Cathy Costello for Labor Commissioner

Opponents lobbing fabricated attacks at Cathy Costello

A screenshot of this blog being shared by Costello opposition, mistaking a banner for an endorsement

Desperate opponents of Cathy Costello's candidacy for Labor Commissioner are starting to fabricate outlandish and ridiculous attacks in order to try to defeat her. Here are two of my favorite ones:

Claim: Cathy Costello is endorsed by Tom Coburn and Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! as shown in the screenshot [above]. Also, Coburn endorsed Costello on the day of the teacher walkout, so they must both hate kids.
Fact: Coburn did endorse Costello -- a week before the walkout began (not "the day of"). OTU! does not endorse candidates, and Costello did not sign their candidate pledge (which focuses on fiscal responsibility and government transparency). The screenshot above, shared by some of the Costello haters, is simply a shot of MuskogeePolitico.com's post of the Coburn endorsement press release and the OTU! banner which is currently present above the posts section. Previously there was a Stitt for Governor ad in that location; neither ad has/had anything to do with the Coburn press release or Costello's campaign.

I find it laughable that someone would equate an ad that happens to be in close proximity to be an endorsement.

Claim: Cathy Costello and Janet Barresi are sisters-in-law/related, so... they must be bad or something.
Fact: Neither Cathy Costello nor her late husband Mark are related to Janet Barresi, whose maiden name happens to be Costello (Barresi took some heat for adding her maiden name to her ballot submission in 2016).

Desperate people do desperate things, and nothing brings out lies and fabrications like flailing, losing campaigns in the final week of their existence.

Cathy Costello is the conservative choice for Labor Commissioner, and I urge all Oklahoma Republicans to get out and vote for her in the primary. We can't afford the alternative, a liberal Republican legislator who has been betraying our conservative Republican principles for the last several years.

Pre-Primary Finance Reports: Labor Commissioner race

Continuing through the pre-primary campaign finance reports, we'll now look at the race for Labor Commissioner. As in previous posts, the totals are campaign-to-date.

REPUBLICANS

Cathy Costello
Total raised: $584,010.73 (includes $525,050 loan)
Total spent: $351,072.17
Total cash-on-hand: $227,882.83
Burn rate: 60.64%

Leslie Osborn
Total raised: $461,021.58 ($143,882.08 transferred from State House account)
Total spent: $302,707.56
Total cash-on-hand: $153,469.21
Burn rate: 66.36%

Keith Swinton
Total raised: $2,600 ($2,500 personal loan)
Total spent: $2,035.00
Total cash-on-hand: $565.00
Burn rate: 78.27%

DEMOCRATS

Fred Dorrell
Total raised: $2,275.00 ($1,000 in-kind)
Total spent: $347.25
Total cash-on-hand: $927.75
Burn rate: 27.24%

Sam Mis-soum
Total raised: $3,000
Total spent: $2,900
Total cash-on-hand: $100.00
Burn rate: 96.67%

Education advocate Dr. Denise Roddy endorses Cathy Costello

PUBLIC ED ADVOCATE ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER 

    Leading public education advocate, Dr. Denise Roddy, is endorsing Cathy Costello in the Republican Primary for Labor Commissioner. 

    “One of Cathy Costello’s greatest assets is being a former classroom teacher,” Dr. Denise Roddy says. “Cathy truly values public education and understands the importance of closing the skills gap by promoting STEM programs for both college-bound and career tech students.  She has a clear plan to cultivate the workforce and to set the stage for our kids to enjoy prosperous careers in Oklahoma.”

    Dr. Denise Roddy graduated with honors from Northeastern State University College of Optometry. She is a past-President of both the NSU Alumni Board President and the NSU Foundation Board of Directors. 

    “Cathy is a 40-year job creator and business owner who has signed the front and the back of a paycheck, providing jobs for more than 100 families — including her own,” says Dr. Roddy. “This business experience will be invaluable as the protector of the workforce and small business.  Her unique exposure to the Department of Labor for almost five years makes her the perfect choice for Labor Commissioner.”

     Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

       The Republican primary for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for June 26, 2018 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

OK County Sheriff P.D. Taylor endorses Cathy Costello

SHERIFF P.D. TAYLOR ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER 

    May 21, 2018 --  Oklahoma County Sheriff P.D. Taylor is endorsing Cathy Costello in the Republican Primary for Labor Commissioner.  Taylor is also his encouraging colleagues in law enforcement to do the same.

    “I’m supporting Cathy Costello because she understands that mental health awareness in all sectors of society, including workplaces and public safety, are intertwined,” Sheriff P.D. Taylor says.  “Her platform on mental health awareness and education in the workplace is smart policy and it is long overdue.”

    Sheriff Taylor credits Costello with passing landmark mental health legislation and praises her detailed plans to create a task force dedicated to mental health in the workplace.

    “Our Oklahoma County Sheriff’s deputies encounter people with mental health issues every day and we understand firsthand how these problems affect the workplace,” says Sheriff Taylor.  “Cathy has shown great leadership as she worked to pass Oklahoma’s first Assisted Outpatient Treatment law — a policy which the National Sheriff’s Association has endorsed since 2003.”

     Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

       The Republican primary for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for June 26, 2018 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

1Q Labor Commissioner Campaign Finance Reports

Continuing through the 1st Quarter campaign finance reports, we'll now look at the race for Labor Commissioner. Three Republicans, 2 Democrats, and 1 Independent filed for office, but only the Republican filed 1st Quarter finance reports. As in previous posts, the totals are campaign-to-date.

Cathy Costello
Total raised: $570,896.35 (includes $525,050 loan)
Total spent: $39,610.88
Total cash-on-hand: $526,494.12
Burn rate: 7%

Leslie Osborn
Total raised: $390,381.58 ($143,882.08 transferred from State House account)
Total spent: $53,269.56
Total cash-on-hand: $332,267.21
Burn rate: 13.82%

Keith Swinton
Total raised: $2,000 (all personal loan)
Total spent: $1,035.00
Total cash-on-hand: $965.00
Burn rate: 51.75%

Congressman Russell endorses Cathy Costello for Labor Commissioner

CONGRESSMAN STEVE RUSSELL ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER 

    Oklahoma's 5th District Congressman, Lt. Col. Steve Russell (ret.), announces his support for Cathy Costello in the Republican Primary for Labor Commissioner.  Cathy Costello is running for the job held by her late husband from 2011 to 2015.

    "I am endorsing Cathy Costello for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner because I want my children to live, prosper and raise their children in Oklahoma," Congressman Russell says.  "Cathy has always been a champion of conservatism. With her keen business sense, she is exactly what Oklahoma needs to educate and equip its workforce for the 21st century.  She not only has the resume, but the courageous, tested and proven leadership to get our state back on track and our economy moving again."

    Russell also says Cathy Costello’s ability to work with everyone, no matter where they stand on the political spectrum, is unmatched.

    "Her impressive leadership, working directly with lawmakers in Oklahoma as well as Washington DC has impacted landmark mental health reforms on the state and national level, that will improve both public health and public safety," says Russell.  “Cathy also has extensive knowledge of the constitutional duties of the Labor Commissioner and the functions of the department, discussing challenges and solutions on a daily basis for five years with her late husband.  Cathy Costello has the character, leadership and knowledge to set the stage for Oklahoma's success."

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health. Costello has been instrumental in passing major landmark state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

       The Republican primary for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for June 26, 2018 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.