Shaw launches 'Save Oklahoma Plan', pledges $100k for grassroots agenda

Freshman State Rep. Jim Shaw (R-Chandler) is a conservative warrior, unafraid to stand up and fight against long odds. In his first term in the Legislature, he's been about government transparency and accountability, protecting the rights and freedoms of Oklahomans, and fearlessly opposing the powerful "green energy" industry, corporate welfare, and the incestuous web of well-connected lobbyists and consultants who influence and control many of Oklahoma's elected officials from behind the scenes.

Shaw is launching a new effort – the 'Save Oklahoma Plan' – to promote the same type of courageous grassroots conservatives running for office in 2026:

Jim Shaw Commits $100,000 to "Save Oklahoma Plan" to Advance Grassroots Agenda for Republicans in 2026

No more empty promises. No more selling out.

Chandler, OK (Tuesday, September 2, 2025) - State Representative Jim Shaw announced today the launch of the Save Oklahoma Plan, a grassroots-driven campaign to hold every Republican in the 2026 legislative session and the Oklahoma primaries accountable to the people. Under the Save Oklahoma Plan, funds will be distributed to conservative grassroots organizations committed to contacting voters about the plan's issues through texting campaigns, petition drives, door-to-door canvassing and digital marketing. These organizations have pledged they will not support or endorse any candidate who refuses to stand strong on all seven of the issues outlined in the plan, even if that candidate happens to disagree with them on just one.

Attorney General Drummond outlines priorities, takes on prosecution of Epic Charter officials

New Attorney General Gentner Drummond outlines priorities upon taking office

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 11, 2023) – Sworn into office Monday, new State Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he is getting to work immediately as Oklahoma’s chief legal and law enforcement officer. His top priorities include working to improve relations with Oklahoma’s Native American tribes, eliminating illegal marijuana growing operations in the state, prosecuting fraud and corruption, and ensuring governmental transparency.

CAUGHT: Hofmeister's Dep't of Education scrubs site of links to her campaign after Washington Examiner report

Let's just say Democrat gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister hasn't had a great 24 hours.

It started with her going on camera to say that, when it comes to immigration issues, she supports Sanctuary Cities.

Then there was this Washington Examiner article, Democratic nominee for Oklahoma governor appears to have 'violated' state laws, experts say:

Red River TV examines claims made by Avery Frix, dismantles the facade with truth

In a just-released special episode of Point Blank on Red River TV, host Janelle Batts took a look at several claims made by 2nd Congressional District candidate Avery Frix. His carefully crafted campaign façade crumbles under the examination as the truth gets unearthed.

1889 Institute: Checking Government-Granted Privilege

Checking Government-Granted Privilege

By Byron Schlomach

Among young people, socialism is as popular as capitalism. Our social fabric is increasingly frayed, and conservative populists are no happier than young socialists about our nation’s general state of affairs. This is not due to Trump Derangement Syndrome, but to a vague sense that increasingly, the economic “game” is loaded in favor of a few over the many. Unfortunately, in many respects this is true.

History and experience has taught that income inequality caused by market forces is a strength. The fact that one can get fabulously wealthy by producing goods and services others find useful is a powerful spur to innovation and hard work. It’s an incentive that has lifted billions out of poverty within the last 30 years. But now, after years of constant drumbeat by socialists, income inequality appears to present an existential threat to the United States.

1889 Institute op-ed: Why I am not Pro-Business

Why I Am Not Pro-Business

By Byron Schlomach

Most who consider themselves conservative, even many with libertarian leanings, are comfortable with describing themselves as pro-business.

Not me.

Just because I’m not pro-business doesn’t mean I’m anti-business, though. I’m pro-free enterprise.

Chambers of Commerce across the nation are pro-business, especially pro-BIG business. They are established to represent their business members, with large corporations usually the most influential amongst their numbers. Chambers of Commerce almost always favor business subsidies, special tax breaks for certain businesses that small businesses don’t get, or exempt only certain businesses from regulation. They specialize in persuading gullible politicians anxious to get their faces in the news at ribbon-cutting ceremonies to favor these policies.

OUTRAGE: Senate Approps Chair amends bill to allow campaign funds for use as personal slush fund

READ THE LATEST UPDATE: Sen. Thompson withdraws campaign "personal slush fund" bill after heat from the press

This is a long post, longer than most, but it's very important. Please read it in full so you can find out what the some members of legislative leadership are trying to slip through!

It's the fading moments of the Oklahoma legislative session, prime time for the traditional slipping in of woolyboogers, legislation that would otherwise attract great outrage but are passed swiftly in order to avoid the public eye.

House Bill 3996 is now one such measure.

I'm going to borrow some from a great article at The Frontier:

As the Oklahoma Legislature enters the final days of its 2020 regular legislative session, a last-minute proposed amendment to a bill in the Senate has emerged that would allow politicians to use campaign money to pay for personal expenses including country club dues, mortgage payments, vacations and a other personal items.

The proposed amendment to House Bill 3996 authored by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, would remove the state’s prohibition against candidates for office and office holders spending money donated to their political campaign committees for personal use. The amendment, which would replace all language in the original bill that was approved in March by the House, has yet to be voted on by the Senate.

You can read the amendment filed by Sen. Thompson. It's shocking.

Gene Stipe would be weeping in pride and envy at the brazenness of this move.

Here's the timeline of the measure:

Gary Jones responds to Prater's invite of convicted embezzler to Auditor debate

Screenshot of video

CHARLIE PRATER CAMPAIGN INVITES CONVICTED EMBEZZLER TO DEBATE — BOTH CONFRONT AUDITOR GARY JONES

    Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, Gary Jones, is firing back at Auditor candidate, Charlie Prater, after Wednesday night’s debate.  Not only did Charlie Prater repeatedly besmirch Jones and his staff, Prater‘s campaign manager physically confronted Jones after the debate.  The confrontation was captured on video.

    “Charlie Prater's oafish campaign manager was clearly trying to physically intimidate me after the debate.  It didn’t work,” Gary Jones says.  “I assume he was so frustrated by his candidate being repeatedly humiliated by Cindy Byrd’s superior knowledge of the office, he decided to take it out on me.  But what surprised me most was when I realized he was joined by Mike Helm — one of the Rogers County Commissioners who left office in disgrace after we audited his books.”

    At the end of the video, Mike Helm is seen joining the confrontation, declaring his own innocence while revealing he was an invited guest of Charlie Prater.

    “What kind of Auditor candidate invites a former public official, one convicted on embezzlement charges, to join his campaign?” asks Cindy Byrd.  “My team and I performed the audit that led a multi-county grand jury to recommend Mike Helm’s removal from office. There’s a reason why Helm was indicted on felony charges of Embezzlement and Conspiracy to Defraud Rogers County.  Mike Helm misappropriated $5 Million worth of taxpayer money and ultimately pled guilty. Now he’s a member of Charlie Prater's campaign team?  It’s not just an insult to every employee in the Auditor’s office who worked tirelessly to bring Mike Helm to justice — it’s an insult to every taxpayer in Oklahoma.”

    Cindy Byrd currently conducts performance and financial audits of government operations across Oklahoma.  In that time, she has exposed more than $10 million in fraud and waste, leading to the indictment or resignation of six elected officials.

    Cindy Byrd is the current Oklahoma Deputy State Auditor for Local Government Services.  She is a CPA, member of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs, American Institute of CPAs, and of the American Board of Forensic Accountants.  In the last fiscal year, Cindy Byrd oversaw 304 of the 411 audit performed by the agency.

    The Republican primary election takes place on June 26, and the general election on November 6, 2018.  For more information on Cindy Byrd, please visit www.CindyByrd.com or at Facebook.com/ByrdforAuditor.

UPDATE: here's a cell phone video showing a brief snippet of the confrontation:

Club for Growth comments on Trump, House GOP interest in bringing back earmarks

CLUB FOR GROWTH ON BRINGING BACK EARMARKS

Washington, DC – Today, Club for Growth President David McIntosh offered the following statement upon news of House Republicans’ interest in bringing back earmarks:

“If Republicans bring back earmarks, then it virtually guarantees that they will lose the House, stated Club for Growth President David McIntosh.

“Bringing back earmarks is the antithesis of draining the swamp.  Earmarks will only benefit the special interests that grow government at the expense of working men and women.”

Cleveland slams State Board of Health over Doerflinger's $189K salary

Cleveland Comments on New Interim Health Director Salary

OKLAHOMA CITY –State Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, issued the following statement today after the Oklahoma State Board of Health approved a salary of $189,000 for Interim Commissioner Preston Doerflinger. He was appointed to the role in October after officials at the Oklahoma State Health Department (OSDH) mismanaged at least $30 million. Prior to taking this position at OSDH, Doerflinger served as director of the Office of Management & Enterprise Services (OMES). He currently serves as the Secretary of Finance and Revenue as well.

“I am absolutely outraged by the news that Preston Doerflinger will now be making nearly $200,000 as the interim head of the OSDH. This salary agreement gives Doerflinger a substantial raise over what he was earning at OMES.

“Taxpayers are now footing an enormous bill for an interim director who meets not a single qualification for the commissioner of health outlined in statute. Oklahomans are paying Doerflinger to ‘fix’ the Health Department’s financial crisis, yet Doerflinger failed to catch this multimillion dollar mismanagement when he was at OMES, supposedly overseeing the whole thing.

“The salary announcement comes while the Health Department continues plans to lay off over 200 hardworking folks in this state. Oklahomans deserve better. The board’s decision to fork over $189,000 annually to Doerflinger makes one thing perfectly clear: mismanagement and ineptitude pay in Oklahoma.”

          ~          ~          ~          ~          ~

Doerflinger's salary is an interesting topic to discuss. According to Oklahoma Watch, he was getting paid $172,458 as OMES director (up from $108k a few years ago). Back in 2012, when Doerflinger was appointed interim head of DHS, the Tulsa World wrote 'The commission approved a salary for Doerflinger of $155,000, but he will accept only the $109,000 he now makes as state finance director. "I appreciate it, but I feel that it is appropriate to stay at my current pay level," [Doerflinger] said.' 

State Rep. Calvey calls for Hofmeister resignation

 Conservative Lawmaker Calls for Hofmeister Resignation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Conservative lawmaker Kevin Calvey, R-Oklahoma City, today called upon State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, R-Tulsa, to resign in the wake of felony charges against her.

“Joy Hofmeister’s own words make it clear that it is best for the children of Oklahoma that she resign,” said Calvey, referring to emails referenced in the indictment filed by District Attorney David Prater, D-Oklahoma City, against Hofmeister and representatives of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) school administrators’ lobby and the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) teachers’ union, among others.  “This isn’t a case of ‘he said, she said.’  Ms. Hofmeister admits in her own emails that she and CCOSA officials planned the massive illegal dark money negative campaign against her GOP primary opponent in advance, and that this dark money campaign would allow Ms. Hofmeister to focus solely on touting her own background rather than engaging her opponent.”

Calvey noted that his call for Hofmeister’s resignation should not be confused with the criminal case against her.

“Ms. Hofmeister is certainly entitled to the presumption of innocence in the criminal case against her,” Calvey said.  “It is a firm principle of the American justice system that felony defendants be presumed innocent of the criminal charges against them.  But surely the standard for holding public office is higher than merely avoiding prison.  Even if she is acquitted of the criminal charges, the indisputable evidence clearly shows Ms. Hofmeister, CCOSA, and OEA conspired to violate campaign laws to get her elected.  The citizens of Oklahoma and the children Ms. Hofmeister was elected to serve deserve better.”

Calvey questioned whether legislators would trust Hofmeister to lead the state’s largest agency with the cloud of criminal charges looming.

“If I were a trustee over a person’s funds, and discovered that the person’s CPA had obtained his license by overstating his credentials, wouldn’t I have an obligation to obtain a new CPA, regardless of whether that CPA had committed actual fraud or not?  We legislators are in a position similar to that of a trustee over the citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars.  Don’t we have an obligation to seek a new leader for the State Department of Education under these circumstances?”

State Supt. Hofmeister, 4 others charged with conspiracy, violating campaign finance laws

From TheFrontier:

State superintendent, political advisers among 5 charged with violating state campaign laws

State Education Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, political powerbroker Fount Holland and the head of the Oklahoma Education Association along with two other people were charged four counts Thursday with violating state campaign laws related to Hofmeister’s 2014 campaign, records show.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater filed the charges late Thursday against the five, alleging they took part in a conspiracy to funnel corporate money through education lobbying groups to a dark money group that was supposed to remain independent from Hofmeister. However numerous texts and emails to and from Hofmeister and the other defendants included in an affidavit for the charges, obtained by The Frontier, indicate that did not occur.

Charged were:

• Hofmeister, 52, who defeated then-State Superintendent Janet Barresi in 2014.
• Holland is a political advisor and founder of AH Strategies and claims on his website to have represented more than 100 elected officials in Oklahoma today.
• Stephanie Milligan, 37, a political advisor to Hofmeister and officer of the Alexander Companies, formed by Chad Alexander, a former lobbyist who also worked with Holland.
• Lela Odom, 68, former executive director of the Oklahoma Education Association, a group that lobbies for salary and benefits for education employees, as well as public education funding.
• Steven Crawford, 67, former executive director for the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration, a not-for-profit association for Oklahoma school administrators.

The charges would be felonies that carry up to 10 years in jail if prosecutors are able to prove the five conspired to violate laws setting limits on state campaign contributions.

Read more here.

Jay Paul Gumm: From State Senator to Embezzler

Then: 2010

Now: 2013

Playing a role in putting a good candidate in office is a gratifying feeling. However, when the incumbent you helped defeat ends up in jail a few years later.... that is just the icing on the cake.

Thus is the sad situation that former State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm finds himself in now.


Back in 2010, I helped Republican Josh Brecheen, a first-time candidate, in his insurgent campaign against Gumm, the entrenched Democrat incumbent. Seemingly against all odds, in a 'Little Dixie' district that had never elected a Republican to the State Senate (more than 80% of voters were Democrats) and facing a two-term Senator, Brecheen procured 56% of the vote, and ousted one of Oklahoma's most prominent and promising Senate Democrats.

After losing the election, Gumm and his family moved to Mississippi, where he took the position of executive director for the Stone County Economic Development Partnership. On Friday, he was arrested for embezzling over $24,000 from the agency. According to news reports, Gumm is the third employee from the SCEDP to be accused of embezzlement in the past year (one woman embezzled over $300,000).

During the 2010 campaign, questions were raised about certain aspects of Gumm's finances (personal and campaign). Do his current money problems have a root in the past? We may never know, but voters in Senate District 6 can take heart that they put the right man in office in 2010 -- and kicked the right guy out.

Former Democrat OK Senate Leader Mike Morgan indicted for bribery, extortion, mail fraud

Late-breaking news from the Oklahoman:

Mike Morgan, a former leader of the Oklahoma Senate, has been accused in a 63-count federal indictment of accepting more than $400,000 in illegal payments from three companies while a legislator.

His attorney, David Ogle, said the indictment is politically motivated and Morgan, a Democrat, will be exonerated. The indictment became public late Wednesday.

The federal grand jury alleged Morgan conspired with Edmond lobbyist William Andrew Skeith and Oklahoma City attorney N. Martin Stringer to influence legislation on behalf of two of the companies.

Morgan, 56, is a Stillwater attorney. The illegal payments were disguised as legal fees mailed to Morgan, grand jurors alleged. Grand jurors said he was not paid further after he left the Legislature at the end of 2008.

Morgan, Skeith and Stringer are charged together with two counts of conspiracy, one count of extortion and 59 counts of mail fraud. Morgan faces an additional count of bribery.

Read more here.

Minority Leader Comments On Terrill/Leftwich Case - Leaves Out Leftwich

State House Minority Leader Scott Inman (D-OKC) issued the following press statement today, after State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) and former State Sen. Debbe Leftwich (D-OKC) both made their first court appearance relating to the ongoing bribery/corruption case brought against them by District Attorney David Prater.

Democratic Minority Leader Inman Calls Allegations against Rep. Terrill Disappointing and Concerning; Allegations Highlight Need for Transparency

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 3, 2011) In response to this morning’s events in which Representative Randy Terrill (R–Moore) turned himself in to the Oklahoma County Jail in order to face bribery charges, Democratic Minority Leader Scott M. Inman released the following statement:

“It is disappointing and of great concern that Representative Terrill or any official elected by the people of Oklahoma would conduct themselves in a way that brings into question the integrity of our government. As the judicial process takes its course, it’s clear that there are still numerous unanswered questions that only greater transparency and accountability can answer.

If the allegations prove true, Rep. Terrill’s disappointing actions could nevertheless be the catalyst that is needed for the kind of honesty and transparency that Oklahomans deserve and desire.” 

Noticeably absent from Inman's press release is the other major player in the case, who happens to be a Democrat. While what Terrill is alleged to have done is wrong, it is equally true of Leftwich. Unlike many past political scandals in this state, this is bipartisan in nature.

Inman and the Democrats will focus on Terrill's involvement, because he is a Republican. Terrill will continue to play the martyr, and contend that he is the target of a Democrat DA's witch hunt against conservatives.

The fact remains that Prater has a seemingly solid case against both Terrill and Leftwich, regardless of the political affiliation of anyone involved (from the accuser to the accused). This situation is by no means over or decided, but corruption and betrayal of the public trust by elected officials is a serious matter, and must be dealt with seriously.

A government that cannot be trusted by its constituents is no government at all.

Terrill Comments on Bribery Charges

Embattled State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) made his first public comments regarding bribery charges filed against him by Oklahoma County DA David Prater. The following press release was issued today.

 Terrill Comments on Bribery Charges

Democrat District Attorney David Prater has charged me with offering a “bribe” to induce Senator Debbie Leftwich to withdraw as a candidate from a political contest. [1] He charged me despite the fact that Senator Leftwich never filed as a candidate [2] it was impossible for her to withdraw from an election she never entered [3] and in the 21 page "Affidavit of Probable Cause" hasn't offered a shred of evidence that I ever made an offer to give her anything.

The preceding filed against me is purely a political take-out maneuver without any factual or legal justification.  I am innocent, I’ve done nothing improper, and I'm confident I will be exonerated.  But the whole point of filing the charge is simply to damage me politically, and I seriously doubt there is even an expectation that it will succeed as a matter of law.  For my opponents, however, if they can abuse the process by forcing me to take a mug shot for the front page of the Oklahoman, then they will sadly consider that a victory.

Merry Christmas, best wishes always and God bless!

For The Republic,

Rep. Randy Terrill

----------

[1] 26 O.S. Sec. 16-107 of Oklahoma’s Election Code prevents giving a thing of value to a “candidate” to “withdraw” from an election.
[2] 26 O.S. Sec. 5-101 of Oklahoma’s Election Code defines a candidate as person who has filed a Declaration of Candidacy.
[3] 26 O.S. Sec. 5-115 of Oklahoma’s Election Code details the specific time, manner, and procedure that allows a candidate to withdraw his candidacy.  These requirements are not synonymous with simply failing to file a Declaration of Candidacy.

# # #

A Time for Action

With the new gains in the State House and State Senate last night, Republicans now have an iron grip on the state legislature. The GOP holds 70 of 101 seats in the House, and 32 of 48 seats in the Senate.

Control of the legislature has been transitioning to the Republicans over the past decade, but last night the GOP hit the gas pedal. Democrats now cannot stop any procedure without Republicans joining them. In addition, every statewide office is now held by a Republican.

This means that the GOP is in total control of policy-setting from inception to implementation. This also means that the GOP has no one to blame for failure to follow conservative ideals.

The time has come to stop talking about reforming Oklahoma government; now is the time for action. And let's start with a new House Appropriations & Budget chairman.

I call on incoming Speaker of the House Kris Steele to appoint State Rep. Mike Reynolds as the 2011-2012 Appropriations & Budget Committee chairman.

No one in the State House knows as much about the appropriations process as Mike Reynolds does, and no one is as good a choice for reforming the way things are done. He owes no one, and is not afraid to step on toes to get things accomplished - two valuable traits when it comes to reform.

Reynolds is not owned by any special interest group, or any firm of political consultants. He will be a reformer that will make Oklahoma's budget process much more open, transparent, and accessible - for legislative members and the public alike. Currently, the budget process is decided by a tiny handful of people - the average legislator knows next to nothing about the budget numbers until the actual budget is revealed from behind closed doors. Under the current arrangement, our elected representatives have nothing to do except vote up or down on the final version; they have extremely little to no input on the budget. This must change.

Mr. Speaker, do you want to get rid of waste, fraud and abuse in Oklahoma's budget? A&B Chairman Mike Reynolds, together with State Auditor Gary Jones, will be the best team to accomplish that. Do you really believe that less government means more freedom? A&B Chairman Mike Reynolds will work toward that goal more so than anyone else in that position would. Do you want an A&B Chairman who is not controlled by consultants, lobbyists, unions or other special interest groups? Do you want an A&B Chairman who will stand resolute against corruption, and will expose and end the waste, fraud and abuse that we know exists in our budget? Do you want an A&B Chairman who will resist the all-too-common urge to grow government, and will instead seek to restrain it? If so, State Rep. Mike Reynolds is your man.

Will it make you popular with the powers-that-be who always seek to influence Oklahoma government? No. Will it make you popular with the political consultants who have run the show for years? No. Will it make you popular with bureaucrats and lobbyists? No.

Mr. Speaker, if you truly wish to really reform Oklahoma government… if you want to end the ‘good ole boy’ budget process… if you desire to advance conservatism, then Oklahoma needs you to appoint Mike Reynolds as chairman of the Appropriations & Budget Committee.

Rep. Christian Responds to Allegations

State Rep. Mike Christian (pictured) responded today to allegations that he was involved in a political corruption case, as claimed by Oklahoma County DA David Prater.

Statement from Representative Mike Christian

I’m here today to comment on the so-called investigation recently announced by District Attorney David Prater.

First of all, I want to say the recent allegations of public corruption are completely ridiculous. The only public corruption I’m aware of is on the part of David Prater, who is working with County Commissioner Brian Maughan to clear the way for Brian to run for this Senate seat.

Prater has violated his legal code of conduct by commenting to the press on his intention to call me before a grand jury. I believe he has made these comments in order to help Brian Maughan run for this senate seat. I have reason to believe the two of them have been in communication regarding the content and timing of the recent announcement by Prater.

Think about the timing of Mr. Prater’s announcement, and how convenient it is that he refuses to produce any evidence until after the primary elections. This is nothing but an abuse of power and political manipulation by a District Attorney and a power hungry County Commissioner.

I hope you will be asking them about the nature of their communication on this issue. And I hope the Attorney General, the District Attorney’s Council, and the Bar Association will take a hard look at Mr. Prater’s actions and comments.

Because of this conspiracy on their part, I have decided to seek re-election to my seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The people of my house district know me, and they know my character and integrity. In announcing this ridiculous investigation only days before filing opens, David Prater and Brian Maughan have ensured that I will have to focus my efforts on defending these baseless allegations, instead of campaigning for the Senate.

If you doubt what I’m saying today, you’ll need only to watch and wait. Mark my words: Brian Maughan will file for the Senate this week, which is and has been the goal of the conspiracy between Commissioner Brian Maughan and District Attorney David Prater.

For my part, I will seek re-election to my House seat, and use that position to continue fighting for the people of South Oklahoma City. I am a strong opponent of illegal immigration, I oppose tax increases, and I fight against wasteful spending. I will continue those positions in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Thank you for your time.

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan told News9 that, "I am just as surprised and concerned as anyone about the recent developments regarding Senate District 44. However, I have no intention of running for the senate at this time." Oklahoma County DA David Prater also told the Oklahoma City TV station, "For [Mike] Christian to allege there is some conspiracy between me and Brian Maughan is absurd."

Filing foe office starts tomorrow and ends on Wednesday, so we'll soon know who will run for what office.

DA Investigating Terrill, Christian, Leftwich for Corruption

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater announced today that he is investigating State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), State Rep. Mike Christian (R-OKC) and State Sen. Debbe Leftwich (D-OKC) for possible political corruption charges.

At issue is whether legislators conspired to create a state job specifically for a state senator in exchange for her agreeing not to run again for her seat, Prater said. The $80,000-a-year job is at the state medical examiner's office.

Also of interest is that...

[State Rep. Mike] Christian said Friday: "There is absolutely no truth to these allegations. I've been planning to run for this seat for quite a while now, regardless of whether Senator Leftwich sought re-election."

I'm finding that hard to believe.

Terrill and Christian are very close - Terrill is essentially Christian's legislative mentor. Terrill and Leftwich also have close ties, mainly through their association with the Oklahoma Public Employees Union.

Speculation is that either State Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC) or State Rep. Richard Morrissette (D-OKC) may have uncovered this. My money would be on Reynolds, who is well known for being a corruption hound.

This whole situation does not surprise me. If something illegal has been going on, I hope that the culprits are caught and dealt with. Public officials have no business abusing the public trust in this manner.

NewsOK.com has the entire story here.

Health Care Vote, and Coburn on Vote-Sellers

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, in Washington, D.C. on Thursday:



The latest news from Washington shows that the House Democrats are dropping plans to "Deem" the Senate version of the health care legislation as passed; it looks like they actually will be voting on the bill Sunday.

Currently, the vote is too close to call - Nancy Pelosi needs 216 votes, and current estimates put the 'yes' column at 210.

Not to be gloomy, but I fear the passage of this legislation poses a great threat to our liberty, and will bring a dark future for our country. Pray for guidance for the members of Congress...