2010 CD2 GOP nominee Thompson endorses Jarrin Jackson

Dr. Charles Thompson Endorses Jarrin Jackson for U.S. Congress, OK-District 2

Says Jackson will lead the next generation of conservatives

May 11, 2016 (Broken Arrow, OK) - The 2010 Republican nominee for Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District, Dr. Charles Thompson announced his endorsement of Republican Jarrin Jackson today. Jackson is challenging incumbent congressman Markwayne Mullin in Oklahoma's second district.

“As a retired Army Major, I can tell you Jarrin's West Point education and his leadership in battle put him in a class the incumbent can't even imagine. His two Bronze Stars prove the strength of his character under fire and as a native Oklahoma he knows and lives our values.”

“Beyond his military service, Jarrin has a grasp of conservative thought that goes beyond his years. He gets it. He understands why limiting government is a good thing and why the Constitution should be the starting point for all political ideas.”

He said, “I've heard Jarrin's ideas about improving healthcare for our veterans, exercising the power of the purse, and replacing our tax code, for example. He articulates solid, conservative principles with ease. Jarrin has the intellect, leadership, and absolute conviction of our Constitution to make him the only choice to represent us in Congress.”

He said, “Jarrin is also the father of two young boys, On both his deployments to Afghanistan, he and his wife Katie learned firsthand what service to our country means; personal sacrifice and keeping faith. Our children are growing up free today because of him and others like him who serve and have served with the same selfless attitude. Not only do I recommend Jarrin to the voters of District 2, I also encourage each of you to work toward his election as you did mine. Thank you and God Bless our Great Country.”

For more information on Jarrin Jackson and his principled stands for Oklahoma and our country, please visit his campaign website: jarrinjackson.com, and Facebook at jarrinjackson1.

Hulbert School Board Member Removed

The Tahlequah Daily Press reports that Hulbert school board member Charles Thompson was removed from office Monday for failing to meet professional development requirements set by state law.

School officials recently discovered Thompson had not accrued required professional development hours within his first 15 months on the board. According to state law, the board is required to make a seat vacant if the person elected to it hasn’t acquired 12 hours of professional development classes in that time frame.

“I want to apologize to everybody on the board, because I have clearly dropped the ball here on this,” said Thompson.  “This is not something I take lightly, and honestly, I hadn’t been keeping track of things myself. I think I got 15 or 18 hours all together, something like that. The classes I was attending, or the lectures I was attending, I thought counted toward that new-member training, and it didn’t.”  Thompson said some seminars he attended did count.

Thompson was asked if he had received letters from the state showing how many hours he had taken; he said that he had gotten a few letters.

“And when I first got elected, I went to a two-day seminar in Oklahoma City, and they gave me this nice, fancy little badge and told me I needed to take that with me and check in at each lecture, and that was the only time that I got to use it, because each time after that, they’d issue a new one, and I just wonder,” said Thompson. “They’ve got accountability for all of the hours, but, you know, honestly I wonder if there was some confusion, some misaccounting, if you will, on someone else’s part at the state level. Completely irrelevant, because I should be keeping track of it myself.”

Read more at this link. The seat remains vacant for the time being.

Thompson ran for Congress in 2010, and eventually became the Republican nominee. He received 43% of the vote against sitting 2nd District Congressman Dan Boren (D-Muskogee). This instance isn't the first time Thompson has had paperwork problems.

General Election Results - CD2

Huckabee Endorses Charles Thompson for Congress

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee endorsed 2nd District congressional candidate Charles Thompson yesterday.

“Huck PAC and I are pleased to support Charles Thompson for Congress, from Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District. Charles served our country honorably in the United States Army for over two decades.

As a small business owner, Charles successfully operated a veterinary hospital, and understands the difficulties facing small business owners. Charles is adamantly opposed to government-run healthcare, TARP, Cap & Trade and the bailouts.

Charles Thompson shares our conservative values, like the sanctity of life and traditional marriage between one man and one woman. An ardent supporter of the 2nd amendment, Charles is also a longtime member of the National Rifle Association.

Please join me in supporting Charles Thompson, and let’s send him to Congress.”

Huckabee is the first major national figure to endorse in the 2nd District race.

Muskogee Tea Party PAC Announces 2010 Endorsements

Muskogee Tea Party PAC Announces 2010 Endorsements

MUSKOGEE --  With 18 days left until voters go to the polls, this week the Muskogee Tea Party PAC announced their endorsements for the 2010 general election. 

For candidates outside of Oklahoma, the Muskogee Tea Party PAC endorsed U.S. Senate hopefuls, Joe Miller of Alaska, Dr. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sharron Angle of Nevada, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. Within the state of Oklahoma, the Muskogee Tea Party PAC endorsed Dr. Tom Coburn for U.S. Senate, Charles Thompson for U.S. House (District 2), Mary Fallin for Governor, and a vote AGAINST State Question 744.

Regarding Coburn, Muskogee Tea Party PAC Chairman Jamison Faught said, “Dr. Tom Coburn has been perhaps the strongest and most effective advocate for stopping runaway government spending.  Dr. Coburn stood up against his own party when they were spending billions of dollars we didn’t have, and he continues to stand up today to fight for fiscal sanity as massive budget deficits eclipse records. Tom Coburn will continue to be a stalwart defender and advocate for Constitutionally limited - and fiscally responsible - government.”

About Thompson, Faught said, “The Muskogee Tea Party chose to endorse Charles Thompson because he will provide the 2nd District with a Congressman who will be responsive to the people, follow the Constitution, and because he has a track record of serving our nation. A a 20 year Army veteran, who retired as a Major, Charles Thompson will truly fight for free market principles, lower taxation, traditional values, and adherence to the Constitution.”

“In the Governor’s race, Mary Fallin was the clear choice for our group,” Faught said. “She has a proven track record of conservatism, both on the state and federal levels. Mary can be trusted to bring much-needed improvements to Oklahoma government, such as lawsuit and workers’ compensation reform. She will be a strong leader in creating a pro-business environment to grow Oklahoma’s economy, and she will stand up when Washington oversteps its bounds. In turbulent times like these, Oklahoma needs a true conservative at the helm - and Mary Fallin will be such a leader.”

“Our group is very concerned about State Question 744, and the extremely negative impact that it would have on our state,” Faught said. “There is a reason why nearly every Republican and Democrat public official is opposed to SQ744 - because SQ744 will turn Oklahoma’s budget and economy into a wreck that makes California’s budget crisis look like a rose. The Muskogee Tea Party and other opponents of SQ744 are not against education by any stretch of the imagination - but SQ744 is the wrong way to go about reforming Oklahoma education.  It is vital that State Question 744 be defeated this election, and that’s why the Muskogee Tea Party is opposed to this measure.”

The Muskogee Tea Party is a non-partisan grassroots group of everyday Oklahomans who are concerned about the direction the country is moving in, and who disapprove of out-of-control government spending, excessive taxation, and lack of adherence to the Constitution.  To learn more about the Muskogee Tea Party, visit www.MuskogeeTeaParty.com, or call (918) 869-6000.

Coburn Endorses Charles Thompson for Congress

The Charles Thompson for Congress campaign issued the following press release today:

Senator Tom Coburn Endorses Dr. Charles Thompson

(Muskogee, OK) October 3rd, 2010---Senator Tom Coburn announced today his endorsement of Dr. Charles Thompson in Oklahoma’s 2nd District Congressional race.  The senator said of Dr. Thompson that "As a proud military veteran with years of dedicated service to our country, a small business owner, and a veterinarian, he possesses valuable, real world experience outside of professional politics so desperately needed to change the way Washington works.”

The 2nd Congressional seat was held by Coburn from 1994 until he fulfilled his promise of self-imposed term limits in 2000.  He earned high approval ratings both then as a representative and now as a senator from the 2nd District.

Dr. Thompson said he was honored by the announcement. “Senator Coburn's record speaks for itself.  He is clearly one of the most constitutionally conservative Senators in the Congress today.  I am grateful for his endorsement which clearly shows my conservatism and the fact that the incumbent democrat is vulnerable.  I look forward to being Senator Coburn's counterpart in the House of Representatives and serving the people of the 2nd District.”

Senator Coburn also faces a general election battle, but already looks forward to the session starting in January.  “Charles recognizes the serious problems we face as a nation and he will be an ally in the House of Representatives when it comes to upholding the Constitution, fighting wasteful spending, and holding career politicians accountable to the American people.  His conservative values will best represent us in Congress…  Please join me in voting for Dr. Charles Thompson for Congress on Election Day.”

2nd District voters will be able to cast their votes both for Senator Coburn and Dr. Thompson on November 2nd.  They must be registered by October 8th in order to vote.

Thompson is the Republican nominee for the 2nd Congressional District, and will be facing incumbent Congressman Dan Boren (D-Muskogee) in the November general election. To learn more about Thompson and his campaign, click here.

Coburn has endorsed numerous other candidates, both here in Oklahoma and across the country. To name a few:

• Gary Jones - OK (running for State Auditor)
• Josh Brecheen - OK (running for State Senate)
• State Rep. David Dank - OK (running for State House)
• B.J. Lawson - NC (running for 4th Congressional District)
• Carly Fiorina - CA (running for U.S. Senate)
• Marco Rubio - FL (running for U.S. Senate)
• Jerry Moran - KS (running for U.S. Senate)
• Kelly Ayotte - NH (running for U.S. Senate)
• Dino Rossi - WA (running for U.S. Senate)
• John Raese - WV (running for U.S. Senate)

Gun Owners of America rates Oklahoma candidates

Gun Owners of America, the other national pro-gun lobby, has issued their candidate ratings for the state of Oklahoma.

Sen. Tom Coburn received an A+, meaning he's a "Pro-Gun Leader" who "introduces pro-gun legislation". His opponent, Jim Rogers, did not answer the questionnaire.

Reps. John Sullivan (OK-1) and Tom Cole (OK-4) got an A - meaning "philosophically sound" and a "Pro-Gun Voter". Rep. Frank Lucas also received an A, while his Democrat opponent, Frankie Robbins, got a D- (Leans Anti-Gun: Usually against us).

Rep. Dan Boren got an A- (Pro-Gun Voter: philosophically sound), and his Republican challenger, Charles Thompson, got an A.

Tom Coburn is the only candidate who has been endorsed by GOA so far this cycle in Oklahoma.

Thompson Slams Boren's Adjournment Vote

Charles Thompson, the GOP 2nd District congressional candidate, issued the following press release slamming Congressman Dan Boren for his vote for adjournment.

Dr. Thompson Statement on Rep. Dan Boren’s Vote To Kill Economic Recovery

(Hulbert, OK) 30 September 2010 – Oklahoma U.S. Congressional District 2 Republican candidate, Dr. Charles Thompson, offered a scathing criticism of current representative Dan Boren’s vote in the House yesterday to adjourn the U.S. House of Representatives without considering extending tax cuts that are already in place but are due to expire: “This is just one more example, in what seems to be an endless supply of examples, of Boren’s voting against the will of the people and voting with the will of Nancy Pelosi”.

            Yesterday afternoon’s vote was the result of a motion by House Democrats to adjourn before consideration of extending “Bush-era tax cuts”.  The final Roll Call on the motion to adjourn was 210 to 209 with the 210 being in favor of adjournment without tax-cut discussion.  “I agree whole-heartedly with House Minority Leader John Boehner’s statement ‘that a vote to adjourn is a vote to raise taxes’ and I’ll take it several steps further.  To leave Washington without dealing with some of the tough economic issues facing America right now is beyond dereliction of duty, it is absolute cowardice.”  Thompson went on to say; “Boren’s vote, yes his single vote as evidenced by the 210 to 209 passage, paves the way for the largest tax increase on hard working Americans…hard working Oklahomans…in the history of the United States.  Dan Boren’s vote negatively impacted an entire nation.”

            Boren, who often refers to himself and is touted in the media as a “Blue-Dog”, likes to “talk the Conservative talk” while speaking with constituents in Eastern Oklahoma but has a proven track record of voting with the Nancy Pelosi agenda to the tune of 90% of the time.  Thompson stated: “If Boren had voted based on his rhetoric, the possibility of extending badly needed tax cuts would be alive and well right now.  Instead, due to his reckless and inexcusable action yesterday, he has killed the likelihood of pro-business, pro-jobs, pro-economic freedom, and less government legislation”.

            The affect of letting the current tax cuts expire in the middle of harsh economic conditions, with the threat of harder times ahead based on the current administration’s own analysts, was addressed by Mr. Thompson: “Mr. Boren and I differ philosophically.  He believes in redistribution of wealth and government superiority.  I believe in less government interventions and the principles of the free-market.  He votes for big government…I abhor big government.  He believes in misleading the good people of Eastern Oklahoma…I believe in serving the citizens, my neighbors, here in District 2.  Dan Boren exhibits the traits of so many in Washington, the traits of a Ruling-Class…I’m just a citizen, not a career politician, who wants my country back.”

Boren's Pollster Says Boren Leads by 34%

The pollster for Congressman Dan Boren's congressional reelection campaign is out with a memo that shows Democrat Boren leading GOP nominee Charles Thompson 65% to 31% in their latest poll of the 2nd District race.

Read the rest at the McCarville Report.

Republican Runoff Results - CD2

Runoff Primary Election Results

The polls have officially closed - results are coming. I'll post the results for the major runoffs.


Insurance Commissioner - 2219 (100%) of 2219 precincts

• John Crawford:  35294 (29.45%)
• John Doak: 84570 (70.55%) - winner

2nd Congressional District - 570 (100%) of 570 precincts

• Daniel Edmonds: 3644 (32.73%)
• Charles Thompson: 7489 (67.27%) - winner

5th Congressional District - 324 (100%) of 324 precincts

• Kevin Calvey: 15899 (34.78%)
• James Lankford: 29814 (67.27%) - winner
  

The State Election Board is posting results here for these and other runoffs.

Vote: Runoff Primary Election

Don't forget to vote! The runoff election is today! While the ballot won't be as full as it was on July 27th, it is still very important that you go vote.

Here are the major races that will be decided today, in addition to numerous lower offices:

The 2nd Congressional District GOP race has come down to two men - Charles Thompson and Daniel Edmonds. The winner will go up against incumbent Democrat Congressman Dan Boren. If you're still undecided in this race, read this post. I endorsed, and recommend voting for, Daniel Edmonds.

The 5th Congressional District GOP race is between James Lankford and Kevin Calvey. The winner here will run against a Democrat and two Independents, although the GOP nominee is heavily favored to win in this district. If you're still undecided, read this post. I endorsed, and recommend voting for, James Lankford.

The race on the GOP side for Insurance Commissioner is now between John Crawford and John Doak. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Commissioner Kim Holland. This is a state-wide office, so all Republicans are eligible to vote in this race, at the very least. I endorsed, and recommend voting for, John Doak.

Don't forget to vote!

Charles Thompson's Campaign Finance Report Problems

2nd District Congressional Candidate Charles Thompson (R-Hulbert) has filed ethics reports with the Federal Election Commission that are, quite frankly, very flawed. As Thompson is one of two Republican candidates in a runoff, this information is important for potential voters to be aware of.

Just to be up-front, I have endorsed his opponent (Daniel Edmonds), but as I have done in the past, I will point things out regardless of whether I support the candidate or not.

Bear with me as we go through Thompson's latest report.

Thompson reports here that he received $10,179.73 between July 8th and August 4th, and spent $2,286.83 in the same period. Here, he also shows that he ended the period with $13,040.34 (later on, he shows that he began the period with $4,329 on hand).

But, do those figures stay the same through the rest of the report?

Moving on to Thompson's expenditures. In Line 17 of the report, he shows that he spent $2,286.83 in "operating expenditures".

However, in Line 22, which adds up all the disbursements (Lines 17, 18, 19(c), 20(d), and 21 added together), the total figure for disbursements is $1,468.39 - $818.44 or about 35% off of the original figure in this report.

It gets even worse.

The itemized expenses only add up to $1,241.56, and $1,030 of that is "in-kind" (in-kind contributions must be reported as both receipts and disbursements). I know this figure to be false, because Thompson had his primary night watch party at the Three Forks River Center in Muskogee, and the rent for the facility was at least $340, and $100 had to be paid up front. If the rent was not paid by the campaign, it had to have been reported as an in-kind contribution by whomever paid for the building.

In addition, his mailing (that included an implied, and untrue, endorsement by Sen. Coburn) never showed up on his report, either for the printing costs or for the postage.


Thompson states that he began the period with a cash on hand of $4,329, had receipts of $10,179.73, expenses of [a disputed] $1,468.39, and ended with $13,040.34.

However,  at the close of the last report, he showed that he ended with a different sum. Let's take a look at that report.

In this report, it clearly shows that the Thompson campaign ended with a cash on hand balance of $621.78, not the $4,329 (an amount seven times higher!) that he showed as the beginning balance in the current report!

This is not the first time Thompson has had problems with his campaign finance reports. In fact, earlier in the campaign, he showed that he accepted an illegal contribution. That resulted in him canning his treasurer, but his reports have never shown that he rectified the mistake.

This is not the only reason Charles Thompson is not the right choice for Congress in the Republican runoff, but it is the most recent. Neither Daniel Edmonds nor the past GOP candidates had campaign finance problems like Thompson has (Edmonds' reports have been flawless - crossed every 't' and dotted every 'i'), and neither does Democrat Congressman Dan Boren (who has hundreds of times the volume of donations/expenses).

If Charles Thompson can't keep track of his campaign account (among other personal fiscal issues), how much more can he manage a multi-million dollar congressional office budget, or the federal budget?


UPDATE: I contacted the Thompson campaign for their explanation of these discrepancies, and they declined to issue a statement.

2nd District Update

The race on the Republican side for the 2nd Congressional District has gone to a runoff, with candidates Charles Thompson and Daniel Edmonds qualifying for the "overtime" round of the primary. Here is a quick roundup up the latest events, in chronological order.

Thompson supporters have been passing around the rumor that if Edmonds does not win the runoff, he will support Dan Boren in November. Edmonds issued the following press release on Monday to combat the rumor.

Edmonds Pledges Support to Conservative Republican Cause
Edmonds: "Our common goal is to replace Dan Boren in Congress."

(Morris, Oklahoma-August 2, 2010):

Daniel Edmonds, candidate in the August 24 runoff election for the Republican nomination in Oklahoma's Second Congressional District, today commented on the runoff election.

"I look forward to the runoff campaign to see who will go on to face Dan Boren in November," Edmonds said. "I will continue to campaign on the issues that are important to the conservative cause."

"Whomever the voters choose to carry the Republican banner in November, I will continue to support the conservative cause," Edmonds continued. "I will work towards one of our common goals, which is replacing Dan Boren as our Congressman."

Edmonds, whose previous political experience includes stints as the Agricultural Policy Intern for the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives and the Frank D. Lucas Agricultural Policy Scholar for Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK 3) in Washington, DC, is running for office for the first time.

Daniel Edmonds, a seventh generation Oklahoman in Okmulgee County, has a BS and MS in Plant and Soil Sciences from Oklahoma State University. Learn more about his campaign at www.danieledmonds.org.

On Tuesday, former candidates Howard Houchen and Dan Arnett endorsed Charles Thompson on KFAQ's Eddie Huff Show. The runoff election is on Tuesday, August 24th, and the victor will go on to challenge Democrat Congressman Dan Boren in the November general election.

Republican Primary Results - CD2

(Note - five counties had less than 300 votes, and eleven counties had less than 505)

Click here for the entire Muskogee Politico series of election results maps.

Muskogee Politico's Analysis of the Primary Results

• Governor
  
• Republican: Mary Fallin (54.79%)

Mary Fallin was the heavy favorite from the very beginning, and defeated Randy Brogdon by 15%. Brogdon was able to put up a decent challenge (especially considering that pre-election polls had him down by 40%), but Fallin's statewide name recognition and massive fundraising advantage won out. Click here to view a map of the results.

Fallin enters the general election as the leader, with a Rasmussen poll showing her leading 57%-36% over Democrat nominee Jari Askins.

• Democrat: Jari Askins (50.28%)

Jari Askins won in an extremely close and contested Democrat primary, defying the polls that showed Drew Edmondson with a commanding double-digit lead. This map shows that Askins blew Edmondson out in western Oklahoma, kept a slim lead in central Oklahoma, and made enough inroads in eastern Oklahoma to win.

To illustrate just how close this primary was, Askins won by less than 0.67 votes per precinct.

Askins strength is in western Oklahoma, but western Oklahoma has trended very Republican in recent years. Mary Fallin will be strong in central Oklahoma, and Askins will do well in heavily Democratic eastern Oklahoma. Southern Oklahoma and the Tulsa area may be the key in the general election, but Mary Fallin still has the edge.

• Lieutenant Governor
• Republican: Todd Lamb (66.84%) 

Todd Lamb cruised to victory in a crowded primary. Lamb has a tremendous fundraising advantage, and also ran one of the best campaign ads I've ever seen.

Kenneth Corn, the lone Democrat in the race, spent a lot of his funds in the past quarter (even though he had no primary opponent), so Lamb should still have more money than Corn. Kenneth Corn is one of the Democrats strongest candidates this election, but Lamb has an impressive background, and is very energetic. Advantage: Lamb.

• Attorney General
• Republican: Scott Pruitt (56.05%) 

Scott Pruitt capitalized on his name recognition from the 2006 Lieutenant Governor's race, where he spent over one million dollars but lost in the runoff to Todd Hiett (who lost to Jari Askins). Ryan Leonard ran a robust campaign, but going negative at the end of the campaign probably hurt him more than it helped.

Jim Priest is the Democrat nominee, but even Drew Edmondson has said that the Republican nominee is going to win fairly easily.

• State Auditor and Inspector
• Republican: Gary Jones (69.57%)

Gary Jones easily defeated David Hanigar, and is now the GOP nominee for Auditor for the third time.

Democrat Steve Burrage was appointed by Governor Henry after the previous Auditor (Jeff McMahan) went to jail for bribery and corruption charges (which were uncovered by Jones, McMahan's 2002 and 2006 opponent), and as such has never been on the ballot. SoonerPoll found in June that Jones led Burrage by 20 points.

While Burrage has a hefty campaign warchest, the climate this year in Oklahoma is not friendly to Democrats, and this could be the time Gary Jones finally wins.

• State Treasurer
• Republican: Ken Miller (63.04%)

Miller coasted to victory over Owen Laughlin, and is considered a shoo-in, as the Democrat candidate literally has no campaign.

• State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Republican: Janet Barresi (62.73%)
• Democrat: Susan Paddack (73.35%)

Both party nominees cruised to large victories over opponents who did little campaigning.

This could prove to be the closest race in November, as both candidates are well funded.

• Commissioner of Labor
• Republican: Mark Costello (57.06%)

Mark Costello dropped over $150,000 of his own money into this race, which enabled him to hit the airwaves with his now-infamous jingle. Jason Reese just didn't have the funds to compete.

Incumbent Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields will face an uphill battle, due to the climate and the fact that Costello can afford to put more money into his campaign. At the last report, Fields has less than $10,000 in his account.

• Insurance Commissioner
• Republican: John Crawford (41.67%) and John Doak (39.14%) -- runoff

In a shocker of the night, former Insurance Commissioner John Crawford emerged with the lead, and John Doak took second to make the runoff. Doak had raised more money than all the other candidates combined, and was running ads across the state. Crawford also was running televisions ads, recycled from his failed 1998 reelection run.

The problem with the down-ballot races like this is that the public is focused on the "big" races, like Governor and Congress, and candidates have a harder time raising money. Thus, it's more difficult for the candidates to educate the voters.

The Democrat's best chance at holding a statewide office, as incumbent commissioner Kim Holland currently has nearly $300,000 in her campaign account. Holland was a 2008 presidential delegate for Barack Obama, though, and the GOP nominee is sure to hammer her for that.

• Corporation Commissioner
• Republican: Dana Murphy (69.21%) -- elected, no opponent in November

Dana Murphy batted aside a nearly non-existent campaign by her Republican opponent, and since no other candidate filed to run, has been reelected to her first full term. Murphy just finished a partial term (she was elected in 2008).

• U.S. Senate
• Republican: Tom Coburn (90.36%)

Tom Coburn obliterated his two token challengers, and in the process racked up his highest vote percentage ever (by far).

• Democrat: Jim Rogers (65.36%)

Jim Rogers, a perennial candidate, defeated Mark Myles - the only Democrat candidate who did any campaigning whatsoever.

Coburn was going to win big in November, regardless of whomever the Democrats nominated, but this will be a tremendous cakewalk.

• U.S. House, District 1
• Republican: John Sullivan (62.07%)

Sullivan cruised to victory over a crowded primary. The only surprise in this race was that Nathan Dahm came in third, behind Kenneth Rice.

• U.S. House, District 2
• Republican: Charles Thompson (33.57%) and Daniel Edmonds (28.31%) -- runoff 

In a crowded race, Charles Thompson and Daniel Edmonds made it into the GOP runoff. The surprise of the night was Dan Arnett receiving 15%, and finishing third - in front of Howard Houchen. Arnett spent the entire campaign going by "Dan", but placed his name on the ballot as "Daniel", which created some confusion, with two Daniel's being on the ballot. I would speculate that a good portion of the Arnett vote was actually intended for Edmonds.

Thompson sent out a mail piece that implied a non-existing endorsement by U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, which did affect some voters. Even so, Thompson only came in first because of his lead in Cherokee and Delaware counties.

This race could still go either way.

• Democrat: Dan Boren (75.56%)

Dan Boren easily defeated a challenge from far-left state senator Jim Wilson, who garnered support from disgruntled liberal Democrats (mainly in the metropolitan areas of the state), who consider Boren to be a "Democrat-In-Name-Only". Unfortunately for Wilson, his supporters don't live in the district, and therefore could not vote, hence his resounding defeat.

Boren spent over seven hundred thousand dollars in the primary.

• U.S. House, District 4
• Republican: Tom Cole (77.26%) -- re-elected, no opponent in November 

Tom Cole was easily reelected over RJ Harris. Harris waged an intense online campaign, but was unable to translate that into votes.

• U.S. House, District 5
• Republican: James Lankford (33.58%) and Kevin Calvey (32.48%) -- runoff

Unlike RJ Harris, James Lankford conducted a successful online and ground campaign, and surged into first place, shocking the Washington pundits. Kevin Calvey had all of the group endorsements (such as Club for Growth, Gun Owners of America, ACU), in addition to loaning his campaign $250,000, but Lankford's energetic campaign slipped on by.

The momentum is with James Lankford in this runoff.

• Democrat: Billy Coyle (56.83%)

Billy Coyle defeated Tom Goodman in the Democrat primary, but this seat is hard for a Democrat to win.

Winners in Tuesday's Primary

Statewide office primary winners

• Governor
• Republican: Mary Fallin (54.79%)
• Democrat: Jari Askins (50.28%)
• Lieutenant Governor
• Republican: Todd Lamb (66.84%)
• Attorney General
• Republican: Scott Pruitt (56.05%)
• State Auditor and Inspector
• Republican: Gary Jones (69.57%)
• State Treasurer
• Republican: Ken Miller (63.04%)
• State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Republican: Janet Barresi (62.73%)
• Democrat: Susan Paddack (73.35%)
• Commissioner of Labor
• Republican: Mark Costello (57.06%)
• Insurance Commissioner
• Republican: John Crawford (41.67%) and John Doak (39.14%) -- runoff
• Corporation Commissioner
• Republican: Dana Murphy (69.21%) -- elected, no opponent in November

Federal office primary winners

• U.S. Senate
• Republican: Tom Coburn (90.36%)
• Democrat: Jim Rogers (65.36%)
• U.S. House, District 1
• Republican: John Sullivan (62.07%)
• U.S. House, District 2
• Republican: Charles Thompson (33.57%) and Daniel Edmonds (28.31%) -- runoff
• Democrat: Dan Boren (75.56%)
• U.S. House, District 4
• Republican: Tom Cole (77.26%) -- re-elected, no opponent in November
• U.S. House, District 5
• Republican: James Lankford (33.58%) and Kevin Calvey (32.48%) -- runoff
• Democrat: Billy Coyle (56.83%)

Congressional Races go to Runoff

The primary election is over, and there are numerous tidbits to share. However, due to the late hour, and the fact that I have been up since before 4am, I'll just mention the various Congressional races.

Congressional District 1

Congressman John Sullivan easily batted away his primary challengers, and emerged victorious with 62% of the vote. Kenneth Rice came in second with 17%, and Nathan Dahm was third with 14%. All other candidates were under 3%.

Congressional District 2

Charles Thompson came out on top, with a plurality of 33.5%, and Daniel Edmonds was second with 28%. In one of the evening's surprises, Dan Arnett came in third with 16%, and Howard Houchen ended up fourth with 11.5%.

This race will go to a runoff between Thompson and Edmonds.

Congressional District 4

As with the CD1 race, Congressman Tom Cole breezed to victory over his challenger, RJ Harris. Cole received 79% of the vote, and Harris got 21%.

Congressional District 5

Political newcomer James Lankford squeezed by into the lead with 33.6% of the vote, while longtime frontrunner Kevin Calvey came in second with 32.5%. Mike Thompson was third with 18%, and Shane Jett received 10.7%. All other candidates were below 3%.

As with the CD2 race, this will also go to a runoff, between Lankford and Calvey.


The full primary election results can be viewed here.

2nd District GOP Candidates Watch Party Locations

Here are the locations for the 2nd Congressional District Republican candidates watch parties, in the order they will appear on the ballot.
 

Daniel Edmonds

The Edmonds 2 Congress campaign watch party will be held at the Edmonds Farm/Ranch headquarters near Morris. For directions, call the campaign headquarters at (918) 733-2068.

The Edmonds watch party will start at 7:00pm.

 

Charles Thompson

The Thompson for Congress watch party will be held at the new River Center at the Three Forks Harbor, right across the Arkansas River from Muskogee in Fort Gibson.

The River Center is located at 5201 Three Forks Road, Fort Gibson (click here for map).

The Thompson watch party will start at 7pm. 

Howard Houchen

The Houchen for Congress watch party will be held in Muskogee at the Faifield Inn & Suites (1650 North 32nd Street; click here for map). It will start at 6:30pm.

Houchen will not be the only congressional candidate at his watch party - he is holding a joint event with 4th District candidate RJ Harris. Harris is soon to ship out to Afghanistan with the Army, and is currently at Camp Gruber in Braggs.

Dan Arnett

The Arnett for Congress campaign is holding a private watch party. For more information, contact the campaign at dan@danarnettforcongress.com.







I did not receive any information from the remaining two candidate, Raymond Wickson and Chester Clem Falling.

In addition, the Muskogee County Republican Party will be holding a watch party at the Muskogee Civic Center (4th & Okmulgee; click here for map), in Rooms A and B, starting at 6:45pm.

Thompson Implies Coburn Endorsement, Coburn Denies

Endorsements can oftentimes be very influential in contested primaries. Candidates tout the support of prominent figures in campaign material and advertising, seeking to leverage as many votes as possible out of such public statements.

Passing off endorsements that never took place, however, can be very harmful, especially when the public figure denies such an endorsement.

2nd District Republican congressional candidate Charles Thompson has released a mailer that implies an endorsement by U.S. Senator Tom Coburn. We inquired into the matter, and discovered that Coburn has not endorsed in this race, nor any other primary in Oklahoma.

Sen. Coburn issued the following statement today:

"Oklahoma Republicans living in the Second Congressional District are blessed with a field of outstanding candidates.  I am greatly encouraged by the focus of many of these candidates on restoring the constitutional principles that have made this nation the most free and prosperous on earth, and in stopping the spending addiction in Washington. 

Because there has been some confusion over the past few days, however, I want to make clear that I am not endorsing any candidate in this Primary election.   I look forward to seeing the decision that voters make next week and then sitting down with our nominee to discuss the urgent cause we all share."   [emphasis mine]

I spoke with Thompson's campaign consultant, Josh McFarland, who affirmed that the Thompson campaign did not get permission from Coburn to use his picture, and did not dispute that it could appear as an endorsement.

McFarland said that they didn't so much view Coburn as a candidate or a Senator, but "as a movement" that Thompson wanted to identify with. He further stated that "images portray more meaning", speaking of their decision to use the Coburn picture, rather than just using text. The picture of Coburn was placed directly underneath Thompson's endorsements.

It doesn't take much to realize that one should not imply non-existent endorsements, and no campaign manager or consultant should approve such an unethical move. It passes off a false impression, and attributes action to someone who never did what was implied.

Senator Coburn is a very influential figure in Oklahoma politics. Attempting to mislead voters about having a Coburn endorsement is not only wrong, but is unfair to the other candidates in the race as well as the Republican primary voters, not to mention Senator Coburn.

I'm disappointed to see the Thompson campaign express no apology for their actions, and to in fact defend them.

UPDATE: a copy of the mailer is below.