Small: No need to “California” Oklahoma elections

No need to “California” Oklahoma elections

By Jonathan Small

This week, the group Oklahoma United called for abolishing our state’s primary election system and replacing it with a “jungle primary” in which the top two candidates proceed to the November general election ballot regardless of party.

Oklahoma United’s proposal is substantially based on California law. So, if you think California politics represent the ideal, this plan is for you. But for most Oklahomans, that alone is a giant red flag.

OCPA column: Who's like whom?

Who’s like whom?

by Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

There’s been a lot of talk lately about which of the gubernatorial candidates is most like the current governor. Let’s look at it.

One of the biggest issues in Oklahoma the last four years has been tax increases. On this issue, Democrat candidate Drew Edmondson appears to be the most like the current administration.

In the current administration’s second term, we saw multiple pushes for tax increases totaling more than $2 billion annually. The current administration did succeed in their second term in increasing income taxes by more than $185 million on Oklahomans.

Edmondson has repeatedly called for more tax increases – including on income and capital gains, services, cigarettes, and oil and gas production.

The Republican candidate, Kevin Stitt, has said his outsider status and successful business experience are what is needed to make government more accountable and work more effectively. Noting economic growth and the corresponding revenue growth, he was opposed to enacted increases in annual taxes and revenues under the current administration – $1.1 billion since 2015.

The Libertarian candidate, Chris Powell, said that certain tax incentives should be eliminated and not more tax increases.

Consider also the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. The current administration on multiple occasions signaled public support for – and tried to push through – some form of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, whether it was the “Leavitt Plan” or the “Rebalance Plan” or some other iteration.

Edmondson has advocated repeatedly for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, saying it will save hospitals. Stitt maintains that significant cost overruns – and cutbacks in program services for the truly needy – in other states that have expanded this welfare program make it a government expansion that Oklahoma should avoid. Powell has voiced opposition to expansion.

Consider pensions. For Stitt or Powell, neither has had a state government career. If elected, state law now requires them to be in a defined contribution plan like most taxpayers. By contrast, Edmondson’s 29-year government career allows him to continue to draw his guaranteed annual state pension of $149,934 (he has drawn $1.2 million to date) alongside the governor’s salary of $147,000 (for a total of $296,934), while the current governor’s 24-year career will allow her to draw around $176,000 guaranteed annually.

For both Edmondson and the current governor, a special provision – for politicians only – allowed their annual pension to be higher than their annual salary ever was.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Poll: Stitt leads Edmondson 51% to 44%

In a new poll released by Magellan Stategies, GOP gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt has pulled ahead for a seven-point lead, breaking the 50% line for the first time in any publicly-released poll.

Oklahoma 2018 Governor Voter Opinion Survey

Taken by Magellan Strategies

Telephone survey of 500 likely 2018 general election voters, conducted on October 22nd and 23rd, 2018, with a MoE of +/- 4.38%

Kevin Stitt (R) - 51%
Drew Edmondson (D) - 44%
Chris Powell (L) - 1%
Undecided - 4%

You can view the crosstabs and more information here.

Pro-Life groups endorse Stitt, all five GOP Congressional candidates

Oklahomans For Life sent out the following election alert yesterday, announcing that GOP gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt had been endorsed by National Right to Life, as well as candidates in each of Oklahoma's five congressional districts.

Stitt answered the candidate survey sent out by the state's largest Pro-Life organization, while his Democratic opponent, Drew Edmondson, refused to respond. Attention was also drawn to the 5th Congressional District race, where pro-life Congressman Steve Russell is being challenged by Democrat Kendra Horn. Horn is being promoted by a prominent left-wing pro-abortion group.

You can visit Oklahomans For Life's website here, and view their Candidate Surveys at this link.

OCPA column: Oklahoma’s pension giveaway to career politicians

Paying career politicians

by Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA)

Representative government doesn’t work when we let politicians spend future generations’ money. It’s taxation without representation. It’s also something we do every day in the United States and in Oklahoma.

Politicians love taxation without representation. Maybe you’ve heard the old line: “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax the man behind the tree.” It’s always easier to tax someone if you don’t also have to ask for their vote.

Government debt and pensions are the new forms of taxation without representation. Future generations will pay the bills, but politicians are spending the money, or making the commitments, today. If taxation without representation is akin to theft, then this is stealing. It also corrupts the recipients of this largess, including the American people at large. We are all stealing from future generations in order to finance growing entitlements and pension promises that make us feel good today.

Oklahoma’s pension giveaway to career politicians is perhaps the worst example. Until it was curtailed by reform legislation, state law allowed elected officials to “buy” a higher return on their pension. This gave career politicians a bigger paycheck in retirement than they earned while in office. For example, when Gov. Mary Fallin leaves office next year, her $176,000-per-year pension will be $29,000 more than her annual salary.

Drew Edmondson’s current state pension is $149,934. According to state records, Edmondson’s already received $1.2 million. If he becomes governor, he’ll get an annual salary of $147,000 while continuing to collect his state pension, for a combined income of nearly $300,000 a year. All this data is technically public, but much of it—including information about one local superintendent who retired at age 61 and is paid $174,325 annually—was not available online until the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs posted it on our transparency website.

While better than some states, Oklahoma still has unfunded pension liabilities around $8 billion. If responsibility isn’t embraced and maintained, this liability will increase. The same thing will happen if politicians decide to buy political power by making pensions more generous or by redirecting pension payments to more alluring projects.

The solution to the inherent risk of government pensions is to replace them with a retirement system controlled by qualifying non-hazard duty employees, not the politicians. This transformation has happened already in the private sector and some areas of Oklahoma state government, where workers own their own 401(k) or other retirement account.

All non-hazard duty government employees deserve that level of control over their own future, and taxpayers should never be on the hook for the promises of long-ago career politicians.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Stitt launches first TV ad of general election campaign

STITT FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD IN GENERAL

TULSA, Oklahoma (October 1, 2018) – The Kevin Stitt for Governor campaign announced today its first TV ad in the general election titled “Sunrise,” which is airing statewide on cable and broadcast stations. The ad offers a window into Kevin Stitt’s time on the campaign trail, displaying his high energy and sharing his vision to deliver government accountability and a Top Ten education system.

“The career politicians have made a mess. Enough is enough,” says Kevin Stitt. “I’m Kevin Stitt. I’m not a politician. I’m a husband, a father, a businessman. I want a better Oklahoma for our kids and grandkids. My priorities – get our financial house in order and improve our schools.”



The ad echoes a theme of Stitt’s campaign since day one. At his first press conference in October 2017, Stitt called for teachers to be paid competitive wages and highlighted how a quality education system is a cornerstone for recruiting new job creators to the state of Oklahoma. To deliver needed change, Stitt called for an overhaul of state government and highlighted how career politicians have failed to make decisions to bring Oklahoma’s state government into the 21st century.

In the latest TV ad, Stitt continues, “I will post all state spending online to root out government waste and I will put our tax dollars where it matters - in our classrooms and in good teacher pay. Oklahoma’s turnaround starts right here, right now.”

In May 2017, Stitt announced a government reform plan to deliver accountability and transparency in state government, which can be read at www.OKTurnaround.com. In the coming days, Kevin Stitt will be announcing more details to his education plan to put Oklahoma on the path to Top Ten outcomes.

Poll find Stitt ahead by 3.5%, all other statewide races solid GOP

In a new survey by the Right Strategy Group, GOP candidate Kevin Stitt leads the race for Governor with 47% to Democrat Drew Edmondson's 43% and Libertarian Chris Powell's 2%. 8% of respondents indicated that they are undecided. All other statewide races lean heavily to the GOP.

Oklahoma General Election Poll

Conducted by The Right Strategy Group. Automated voice recorded phone survey of 1058 likely voters in Oklahoma, conducted on September 25 & 26, 2018, with a margin of error of +/- 3.0% at the 95 percent confidence interval.

GOVERNOR
Kevin Stitt (R) - 46.9%
Drew Edmondson (D) - 43.4%
Chris Powell (L) - 2.0%
Undecided - 7.8%

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Matt Pinnell (R) - 50.0%
Anastasia Pittman (D) - 34.1%
Ivan Holmes (I) - 4.0%
Undecided - 12.0%

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Mike Hunter (R) - 50.7%
Mark Myles (D) - 32.3%
Undecided - 17.0%

STATE SUPERINTENDENT
Joy Hofmeister (R) - 48.3%
John Cox (D) - 31.6%
Larry Huff (I) - 7.3%
Undecided - 12.8%

LABOR COMMISSIONER 
Leslie Osborn (R) - 47.8%
Fred Dorrell (D) - 29.9%
Brandt Dismukes (I) - 4.5%
Undecided - 17.9%

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER
Bob Anthony (R) - 53.0%
Ashley Nicole McCray (D) - 31.4%
Jackie Short (I) - 3.6%
Undecided - 12.0%

STATE AUDITOR
Cindy Byrd (R) - 47.4%
John Yeutter (L) - 11.7%
Undecided - 40.9%

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Glen Mulready (R) - 43.1%
Kimberly Fobbs (D) - 32.2%
Undecided - 24.7%

You can view the poll with full crosstabs at this link.

Poll: GOP leads OK-Gov race by 2%, wide leads elsewhere

A recent survey performed by SoonerPoll for Oklahoma's CBS affiliates (KWTV in Oklahoma City, and KOTV in Tulsa) finds a tight race for Governor, but wide leads for the Republican nominees in other races.


Governor:

Kevin Stitt (R) - 46.6%
Drew Edmondson (D) - 44.2%
Chris Powell (L) - 3.2%
Undecided/not sure - 6.0%

By far the closest race, this also has a very low undecided number. Libertarian candidate Chris Powell may well play a key role in the outcome of the 2018 gubernatorial race, depending on who he draws more from.

Digging into the cross-tabs, Stitt wins 76% of Republicans while Edmondson gets 78% of Democrats. Stitt takes 14.9% of Democrat voters, while Edmondson snags 15.6% of Republicans. Edmondson beats Stitt among Independents 50.6% to 25.6%.

Stitt leads in the 1st District (by 9.7%), 2nd District (by 16.2%), and 4th District (by 6.7%), while Edmondson leads in the 3rd District (by 10.1%) and 5th District (by 12.1%).

Lieutenant Governor:

Matt Pinnell (R) - 49.1%
Anastasia Pittman (D) - 31.0%
Ivan Holmes (I) - 4.6%
Undecided/not sure - 15.3%

Matt Pinnell leads the race for Lieutenant Governor by 18.1%, over Democrat Anastasia Pittman and former Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman Ivan Holmes, who is running as an Independent.

State Auditor:

Cindy Byrd (R) - 56.3%
John Yeutter (L) - 17.3%
Undecided/not sure - 26.4%

While John Yeutter will likely set a new record for most Libertarian votes received (thanks to a head-to-head with the Republican nominee), he trails the GOP candidate by the largest margin on the ballot. At 39%, Cindy Byrd has the largest lead in this survey.

Attorney General:

Mike Hunter (R) - 52.1%
Mark Myles (D) - 34.2%
Undecided/not sure - 13.7%

On the ballot for the first time since he infamously lost to perennial candidate Jim Rogers in the 2010 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Mark Myles trails Republican Mike Hunter by 17.9%.

State Treasurer:

Randy McDaniel (R) - 41.7%
Charles de Coune (I) - 20.3%
Undecided/not sure - 38.0%

In the other race with no Democratic candidate, State Rep. Randy McDaniel will have easy sailing to the State Treasurer's office.

State Superintendent:

Joy Hofmeister (R) - 50.6%
John Cox (D) - 31.3%
Larry Huff (I) - 9.3%
Undecided/not sure - 8.9%

In a rematch from 2014, Republican Joy Hofmeister leads by 19.3%. She defeated Cox in 2014 by 11.6%, with no Independent or third-party candidate in the mix.

Labor Commissioner:

Leslie Osborn (R) - 48.8%
Fred Dorrell (D) - 26.3%
Brandt Dismukes (I) - 6.2%
Undecided/not sure - 18.7%

Dorrell is the lowest-scoring Democrat in this poll, trailing by 22.5%, with an Independent also in the race.

Insurance Commissioner:

Glen Mulready (R) - 41.9%
Kimberly Fobbs (D) - 32.8%
Undecided/not sure - 25.3%

The closest race on the ballot, Mulready leads by 9.1%, but one-quarter of respondents are undecided.

Corporation Commissioner:

Bob Anthony (R) - 47.5%Ashley Nicole McCray (D) - 29.5%Jackie Short (I) - 8.5%Undecided/not sure - 14.5%

Bob Anthony, running for his final term in office, leads by 18%.

The scientific study was conducted September 5-10, 2018 with 407 likely voters selected at random statewide from a tri-frame of SoonerPoll’s own online panel, cell phones and landline telephones. For cell phone and landline telephones, voters are selected at random from SoonerPoll’s voter database and matched with cell and landline phone numbers. Cell phone participants are collected using live interviewers and landline participants are collected using both live interviewer and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) technology. The sample was weighted by age, political party, and congressional district in order to reflect the Oklahoma likely voter population. 

The sample reflects the traditional demographical profile of the Oklahoma likely voter with roughly half of respondents identifying as conservative. The study has a Margin of Error (MoE) of ±4.86 percent.

OCPA president on Edmondson and Boren's call for higher taxes

OCPA president responds to Edmondson, Boren press conference

After former officials David Boren and Drew Edmondson held a press conference on education, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following the statement:

“The problems facing Oklahoma do not stem from a lack of revenue. Since 2015, the Legislature has raised about $1.1 billion in annual tax increases and other revenue.

“Oklahoma now has more money for public schools than ever before, well over $12,000 per student across the state. Based on the most current national teacher salary data, Oklahoma teachers would be the 13th highest paid in the country after their raise when considering cost of living. State Question 801, on the ballot this fall, would open up even more education revenues for teacher pay and help hold administrators accountable.

“Real education leadership means focusing on results for students, not just dollars for adults and the unsatisfiable demands of unions.”

Stitt responds to Edmondson's call for more tax hikes

STITT RESPONDS TO EDMONDSON’S CALL FOR MORE TAX INCREASES

TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 6, 2018) – Kevin Stitt, Republican candidate for governor, issued a statement today to respond to former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s press conference calling for more tax increases on hardworking Oklahomans:

“Since day one, I have called for teachers to be paid competitive wages, a key requirement for Oklahoma to become Top Ten in education. Over the past year, our state revenue has grown by more than $1 billion, and our economy is making a comeback. In the next few weeks, we will also begin to see the impact from tax increases passed earlier this year. Yet, my opponent is already calling for even more taxes on hardworking Oklahomans. In a Stitt administration, we will make it a priority to invest more in education, but it starts by assessing new state revenue at hand, diversifying our economy, and delivering accountability across our state budget.”

Trump calls Kevin Stitt, tweets endorsement

After clinching the Republican nomination for Governor with a 9-point victory over Mick Cornett, Kevin Stitt has now received the public endorsement of President Donald Trump.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP ENDORSES KEVIN STITT FOR GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA

Tulsa, Okla. (Aug. 30, 2018) – Following a phone call from the President Donald J. Trump, Kevin Stitt, the Republican candidate for Governor of Oklahoma, welcomed today the President’s official endorsement:

Kevin Stitt ran a great winning campaign against a very tough opponent in Oklahoma. Kevin is a very successful businessman who will be a fantastic Governor. He is strong on Crime & Borders, the 2nd Amendment, & loves our Military & Vets. He has my complete and total Endorsement!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2018

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of President Trump,” said Kevin Stitt. “I am ready to work with President Trump to support our veterans, advance our military bases here in Oklahoma, and make much-needed investments in our state’s roads and bridges.”

OCPAC, Meadows, Blair urge Fisher voters to support Stitt

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

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

NOTE TO OKLAHOMA ACTIVISTS, Bob Linn (OCPAC President)

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

Pastor Paul Blair's Take on the Republican Runoff Election

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlie Meadows in North Pole, Alaska   

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

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

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

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

Pre-Runoff Finance Reports: Governor's race

The final campaign finance reports (pre-runoff) before the August 28th primary have been submitted and posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission website. We'll look at the gubernatorial race in this post. All figures below are campaign-to-date, and may include in-kind contributions or expenditures.

The money in the GOP primary/runoff is mindblowing... far and away the most expensive race in Oklahoma history before the GOP nominee has even been decided.

REPUBLICANS

Total Raised: $15,226,168.48

Total Spent: $14,215,428.94

Total Cash-on-Hand: $727,082.99
Burn rate: 95.13%

Kevin Stitt

Total raised: $6,542,863.91 (includes $3,281,000 in loans)

Total spent: $6,018,662.13

Total cash-on-hand: $368,557.72
Burn rate: 94.23%

Mick Cornett
Total raised: $3,242,795.74
Total spent: $2,826,305.70
Total cash-on-hand: $336,691.50
Burn rate: 89.36%

Todd Lamb
Total raised: $3,715,470.61
Total spent: $3,669,760.27
Total cash-on-hand: $13,636.80

Gary Richardson
Total raised: $1,253,448.92 (includes $1,002,575.37 loan)
Total spent: $1,247,700.14
Total cash-on-hand: $0

Dan Fisher
Total raised: $341,220.81 (includes $20,000 loan)
Total spent: $325,561.73
Total cash-on-hand: $7,834.99

Gary Jones

Total raised: $113,080.48 (includes $16,000 loan)

Total spent: $111,331.07

Total cash-on-hand: $455.88

DEMOCRATS

Total Raised: $2,101,942.86

Total Spent: $1,386,655.37

Total Cash-on-Hand: $703,890.82
Burn rate: 66.33%

Drew Edmondson
Total raised: $2,032,248.62 (includes $60,000 loan)
Total spent: $1,318,163.77
Total cash-on-hand: $703,004.68
Burn rate: 65.22%

Connie Johnson

Total raised: $69,694.24

Total spent: $68,491.60

Total cash-on-hand: $886.14

LIBERTARIANS

Total Raised: $32,535.90 (~$9,600 in-kind)

Total Spent: $20,612.02

Total Cash-on-Hand: $2,280.64
Burn rate: 90.04

Chris Powell

Total raised: $10,142.88 (including $1,200 loan)

Total spent: $6,991.02

Total cash-on-hand: $3,017.51
Burn rate: 69.85%

Rex Lawhorn
Total raised: $4,575.00
Total spent: $5,286.87
Total cash-on-hand: $-736.87
Burn rate: 116.19%

Joseph Maldonado

Total raised: $17,818.02 (~$9,500 in-kind)

Total spent: $8,334.13

Total cash-on-hand: $0

Poll: Stitt 41%, Cornett 32%, both tied with Edmondson

A brand new poll by The Right Strategy Group has businessman Kevin Stitt leading former OKC mayor Mick Cornett by 9%.

In the poll, conducted this week, Stitt received 41.3% to Cornett's 32.6%, with 26.1% undecided.

In general election matchups, Democrat Drew Edmondson led Cornett 39.4% to 39.2% and Stitt 42.4% to 40.9%, both well within the margin of error.

RSG also surveyed the GOP Lieutenant Governor runoff, finding Dana Murphy at 29.6%, Matt Pinnell at 25.4%, and 45.0% undecided.

You can view the crosstabs here.

Pre-Primary Finance Reports: Governor's race

The final campaign finance reports (pre-primary) before the June 26th primary have been submitted and posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission website. We'll look at the gubernatorial race in this post. All figures below are campaign-to-date, and may include in-kind contributions or expenditures. A new addition for this post will be their campaign "burn rate".

REPUBLICANS

Total Raised: $11,483,354.76

Total Spent: $9,860,467.90

Total Cash-on-Hand: $1,396,825.53
Burn rate: 87.59%

Kevin Stitt

Total raised: $4,199,443.76 (includes $2,175,000 loan)

Total spent: $3,784,958.59

Total cash-on-hand: $291,158.26
Burn rate: 92.86%
* Stitt has loaned himself another $606,000 since the filing of the report, bringing his loan total up to $2,781,000

Todd Lamb
Total raised: $3,674,855.45
Total spent: $2,871,609.81
Total cash-on-hand: $771,172.10
Burn rate: 78.83%

Mick Cornett
Total raised: $1,921,719.71
Total spent: $1,619,645.47
Total cash-on-hand: $247,553.76
Burn rate: 86.74%

Gary Richardson
Total raised: $1,250,548.55 (includes $1,000,000 loan)
Total spent: $1,227,229.10
Total cash-on-hand: $17,570.67
Burn rate: 98.59%

Dan Fisher
Total raised: $331,518.81 (includes $20,000 loan)
Total spent: $276,984.18
Total cash-on-hand: $46,710.54
Burn rate: 85.57%

Gary Jones

Total raised: $88,680.48

Total spent: $67,831.91

Total cash-on-hand: $19,555.04

Burn rate: 77.62%

DEMOCRATS

Total Raised: $1,587,948.76

Total Spent: $1,156,481.92

Total Cash-on-Hand: $420,070.17
Burn rate: 85.09%

Drew Edmondson
Total raised: $1,519,555.52 (includes $60,000 loan)
Total spent: $1,093,546.04
Total cash-on-hand: $414,929.31
Burn rate: 72.49%

Connie Johnson

Total raised: $68,393.24

Total spent: $62,935.88

Total cash-on-hand: $5,140.86
Burn rate: 92.45%

LIBERTARIANS

Total Raised: $31,965.44 (~$13,100 in-kind)

Total Spent: $16,042.65

Total Cash-on-Hand: $2,810.01
Burn rate: 85.09

Chris Powell

Total raised: $6,332.88 (including $1,200 loan)

Total spent: $5,920.88

Total cash-on-hand: $277.65
Burn rate: 95.52%

Rex Lawhorn
Total raised: $7,814.54 (half in-kind)
Total spent: $3,799.87
Total cash-on-hand: $520.13
Burn rate: 87.96%

Joseph Maldonado

Total raised: $17,818.02 (~$9,500 in-kind)

Total spent: $6,321.90

Total cash-on-hand: $2,012.23
Burn rate: 75.86%

Money-wise, Chris Powell is far and away the leader in the Libertarian primary, having raised more cash than Rex Lawhorn and Joseph Maldonado (aka Joe Exotic) combined.

SoonerPoll: Lamb 23.3%, Cornett 20.4%, Stitt 13.5%

Last night, numbers were released from a SoonerPoll survey conducted for KWTV (OKC's News9) and KOTV (Tulsa's News on 6) on the statewide primaries. Here are the GOP gubernatorial race numbers:

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

622 likely Oklahoma voters (321 Republicans), conducted in May [date not availavle]. Overall MoE +/- 3.93%. Numbers in parentheses are from April, brackets January, braces are from September.

Todd Lamb - 23.3% (21.2%) [17.6%] {32%}
Mick Cornett - 20.4% (22%) [23.9%] {29%}
Kevin Stitt - 13.5% (7.8%) [3.4%] {not polled}
Gary Jones - 4.1% (2.6%) [3.4%] {"under 10%"}
Dan Fisher - 3.2%(3.7%) [4.0%] {"under 10%"}
Gary Richardson - 2.9% (7.2%) [9.0%] {"under 10%"}
Other candidate - 1.2%
Undecided - 31.3 (35.5%) [38.7%] {23%}

You can view the full crosstabs here.

On the Democratic side of things, Drew Edmondson got 43.5%, Connie Johnson 13.6%, and 42.9% were undecided.

Follow these links for the Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General numbers.

1Q Gubernatorial Campaign Finance Reports

The 1st Quarter campaign finance reports have been submitted and posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission website. We'll look at the gubernatorial race in this post. All figures below are campaign-to-date, and may include in-kind contributions or expenditures. A new addition for this post will be their campaign "burn rate".

REPUBLICANS

Total Raised: $9,631,483.38

Total Spent: $4,196,573.75

Total Cash-on-Hand: $5,268,120.77
Burn rate: 44.34%

Todd Lamb
Total raised: $3,454,637.80
Total spent: $1,033,421.28
Total cash-on-hand: $2,392,784.26
Burn rate: 30.16%

Kevin Stitt

Total raised: $3,091,136.66 (includes $1,500,000 loan)

Total spent: $1,421,321.59

Total cash-on-hand: $1,595,276.76
Burn rate: 47.12%

Mick Cornett
Total raised: $1,574,727.65
Total spent: $727,719.21
Total cash-on-hand: $797,787.96
Burn rate: 47.65%

Gary Richardson
Total raised: $1,208,593.55 (includes $1,000,000 loan)
Total spent: $811,186.98
Total cash-on-hand: $392,557.79
Burn rate: 67.39%

Dan Fisher
Total raised: $230,697.24 (includes $20,000 loan)
Total spent: $177,802.47
Total cash-on-hand: $46,083.21
Burn rate: 79.42%

Gary Jones

Total raised: $71,690.48

Total spent: $26,766.16

Total cash-on-hand: $43,630.79

Burn rate: 38.02%

Of the GOP candidates, Todd Lamb has the lowest burn rate at just a hair over 30%. Stitt and Cornett are right under 48%, while Richardson is at 67%. Stitt and Richardson have combined to write $2.5M in personal loans to their campaigns, so in one respect the burn rate may not mean much for them. Dan Fisher has the highest burn rate at almost 80%, leaving his campaign mostly out of money for the final weeks. Gary Jones has the second lowest burn rate, but by far the lowest fundraising at less than $75K.

DEMOCRATS

Total Raised: $1,206,329.11

Total Spent: $862,406.88

Total Cash-on-Hand: $333,272.81
Burn rate: 72.13%

Drew Edmondson
Total raised: $1,146,024.47 (includes $50,000 loan)
Total spent: $809,668.38
Total cash-on-hand: $326,023.17
Burn rate: 71.29%

Connie Johnson

Total raised: $60,304.64

Total spent: $52,738.50

Total cash-on-hand: $7,249.64
Burn rate: 87.91%

Both Democratic candidates have very high burn rates. Edmondson is the heavy favorite in this primary, but will likely head into the general election having exhausted most of his campaign money.

LIBERTARIANS

Total Raised: $18,387.56 ($10,400 in-kind)

Total Spent: $4,469.53

Total Cash-on-Hand: $3,658.24
Burn rate: 56.24%

Chris Powell

Total raised: $4,467.88

Total spent: $1,312.94

Total cash-on-hand: $3,020.59
Burn rate: 30.3%

Rex Lawhorn
Total raised: $2,189.54
Total spent: $910.34
Total cash-on-hand: $464.66
Burn rate: 76.18%

Joseph Maldonado

Total raised: $11,730.14 (~$9,300 in-kind)

Total spent: $2,246.25

Total cash-on-hand: $172.99
Burn rate: 92.85%

Money-wise, Chris Powell is far and away the leader in the Libertarian primary, having raised more cash than Rex Lawhorn and Joseph Maldonado (aka Joe Exotic) combined.

4Q Gubernatorial Campaign Finance Reports

The 4th Quarter campaign finance reports have been submitted and posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission website. We'll look at the gubernatorial race in this post. All figures below are campaign-to-date.

REPUBLICANS

Total Raised: $7,835,180.59

Total Spent: $2,119,127.03

Total Cash-on-Hand: $5,593,149.62

Mick Cornett
Total raised: $1,134,033.82
Total spent: $431,883.60
Total cash-on-hand: $659,590.75

Dan Fisher
Total raised: $134,435.97 (includes $20,000 loan)
Total spent: $83,469.36
Total cash-on-hand: $44,971.07

Gary Jones

Total raised: $65,783.48

Total spent: $15,085.32

Total cash-on-hand: $49,404.63

Todd Lamb
Total raised: $3,123,922.23
Total spent: $459,254.87
Total cash-on-hand: $2,649,481.22

Gary Richardson
Total raised: $1,107,586.77 (includes $1,000,000 loan)
Total spent: $503,870.08
Total cash-on-hand: $602,612.69

Kevin Stitt

Total raised: $2,269,418.32 (includes $1,100,000 loan)

Total spent: $625,563.80

Total cash-on-hand: $1,587,089.26

DEMOCRATS

Total Raised: $1,071,636.00

Total Spent: $742,106.91

Total Cash-on-Hand: $318,879.67

Drew Edmondson
Total raised: $840,611.25 (includes $50,000 loan)
Total spent: $519,376.14
Total cash-on-hand: $310,902.19

Scott Inman (withdrawn)
Total raised: $180,060.14
Total spent: $180,060.14
Total cash-on-hand: $0

Connie Johnson

Total raised: $50,964.61

Total spent: $42,670.63

Total cash-on-hand: $7,977.48

LIBERTARIANS

Total Raised: $11,453.88

Total Spent: $3,129.71

Total Cash-on-Hand: $1,768.14

Rex Lawhorn (4th Quarter report not filed yet)
Total raised: $530
Total spent: $969.54 (in-kind)
Total cash-on-hand: $505

Joseph Maldonado

Total raised: $9,054.03 (~$6,800 in-kind)

Total spent: $2,231.25

Total cash-on-hand: $48.33

Chris Powell

Total raised: $1,869.85

Total spent: $520.69

Total cash-on-hand: $1,214.81

3Q Gubernatorial Campaign Finance Reports

The 3rd Quarter campaign finance reports have been submitted and posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission website. We'll look at the gubernatorial race in this post. All figures below are campaign-to-date.

REPUBLICANS

Total Raised: $6,359,611.03

Total Spent: $1,029,119.36

Total Cash-on-Hand: $5,255,146.63

Mick Cornett
Total raised: $801,128.61
Total spent: $150,902.36
Total cash-on-hand: $623,294.77

Dan Fisher
Total raised: $94,582.71 (includes $20,000 loan)
Total spent: $27,633.99
Total cash-on-hand: $63,026.46

Gary Jones

Total raised: $54,785.28

Total spent: $11,241.00

Total cash-on-hand: $43,544.28

Todd Lamb
Total raised: $2,720,112.28
Total spent: $293,312.44
Total cash-on-hand: $2,413,830.65

Gary Richardson
Total raised: $1,047,436.77 (includes $1,000,000 loan)
Total spent: $282,909.88
Total cash-on-hand: $763,422.89

Kevin Stitt

Total raised: $1,641,565.38 (includes $800,000 loan)

Total spent: $263,119.69

Total cash-on-hand: $1,348,027.58

DEMOCRATS

Total Raised: $752,497.39

Total Spent: $368,341.79

Total Cash-on-Hand: $374,723.60

Drew Edmondson
Total raised: $545,163.65 (includes $50,000 loan)
Total spent: $242,741.72
Total cash-on-hand: $293,306.43

Scott Inman (withdrawn)
Total raised: $169,195.14
Total spent: $93,409.35
Total cash-on-hand: $75,785.79

Connie Johnson

Total raised: $38,138.60

Total spent: $32,190.72

Total cash-on-hand: $5,631.38

LIBERTARIANS

Total Raised: $8,347.64

Total Spent: $2,676.37

Total Cash-on-Hand: $1,435.48

Rex Lawhorn:
Total raised: $530
Total spent: $377.77 (in-kind)
Total cash-on-hand: $505

Joseph Maldonado

Total raised: $6,593.79 (mostly in-kind)

Total spent: $1,861.25

Total cash-on-hand: $278.33

Chris Powell

Total raised: $1,223.85

Total spent: $437.35

Total cash-on-hand: $652.15

Latest fundraising figures for statewide candidates

The latest campaign reporting period has come to a close, and candidates have submitted their contributions and expenditures reports to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. You can search the reports by race here. Below are the figures for the statewide races:

GOVERNOR

Republicans

• Todd Lamb: $2,094,045.47 raised, $102,400.62 spent, $1,983,998.68 on-hand
• Gary Richardson: $185,729.00 raised ($175k loan), $179,567.87 spent, $5,757.13 on-hand
• Mick Cornett: $181,000.00 raised, $2,915.95 spent, $178,084.05 on-hand
• Gary Jones: $22,585.28 raised, $274.28 spent, $22,311.00 on-hand
• Kevin Stitt: entered race after reporting period began
• Dan Fisher: entered race after reporting period began

Democrats

• Drew Edmondson: $300,211.30 raised ($5k loan), $35,551.26 spent, $256,506.89 on-hand
• Scott Inman: $99,566.44 raised, $32,412.23 spent, $67,154.21 on-hand
• Connie Johnson: $21,057.60 raised, $6,414.79 spent, $14,358.31 on-hand
• Norman Brown: $1,421.66 raised, $648.70 spent, $772.96 on-hand

Libertarians

• Joseph Maldonado: $3,012.60 raised, $102.50 spent, $200.00 on-hand
• Chris Powell: $234.35 raised, $32.45 spent, $67.55 on-hand

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Republicans

• Matt Pinnell:$304,990.78 raised, $38,105.32 spent, $253,878.44 on-hand
• Eddie Fields: $100 raised, $100 spent, $0 on-hand
• Dominique Block: $0 raised, $0 spent, $0 on-hand
• Dana Murphy: entered race after reporting period began, but closed out her Corporation Commission account by transferring $638,821.71 to her new Lieut. Gov. account

STATE AUDITOR

Republicans

• Cindy Byrd: $14,890.00 raised, $5,807.09 spent, $7,697.91 on-hand

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Republicans

• Mike Hunter: $201,424.65 raised, $21,117.06 spent, $179,707.94 on-hand

STATE TREASURER

Republicans

• Randy McDaniel: $191,724.37 raised, $0 spent, $191,724.37 on-hand

STATE SUPERINTENDENT

Republicans

• Joy Hofmeister: $18,210.33 raised, $13,394.54 spent, $4,780.79 on-hand

*  all figures are campaign-to-date and may include transfers from previous campaigns

**  "raised" figures include "in-kind contributions"