Dark Money: something stinks in House District 21 runoff

There's some funny business going on in the House District 21 runoff down in Bryan and Marshall counties. A dark money group operated by the Choctaw Nation is funneling huge amounts of last-minute money -- all on behalf of an individual who is not on the ballot. It appears that this may be an attempt to circumvent ethics rules on behalf of one of the runoff candidates.

Gov. Stitt signs bill exempting livestock used to support family from property taxes

Livestock Supporting a Family to be Tax Exempt

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 25th) – The governor this week signed into a law a bill that exempts from personal property taxes livestock used to support a family, beginning in January 2023.

Muskogee Police Chief Johnny Teehee joins 2nd District congressional race

Muskogee Police Chief Johnny Teehee has joined the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Markwayne Mullin, who is running for U.S. Senate. More here from the Muskogee Phoenix.

He joins fellow Republican candidates State Sen. Marty Quinn, State Rep. Dustin Roberts, pharmacist Chris Schiller (also of Muskogee), OKGOP Chairman John Bennett, and Army veteran Erick Wyatt.

Here is Teehee's announcement press release:

Republican Johnny Teehee Announces for Congress

Candidate’s Mission: “Protect Americans and the American Dream”

 

With a mission of “Protecting Americans and the American Dream” from the liberal assault led by Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, conservative Republican Johnny Teehee announced his candidacy for congress today.

State Rep. Dustin Roberts jumps into CD2 race

State Rep. Dustin Roberts (R-Durant) is jumping into the race for the 2nd Congressional District, joining fellow Republican candidates State Sen. Marty Quinn, pharmacist Chris Schiller, OKGOP Chairman John Bennett, and Army veteran Erick Wyatt.

State Representative Dustin Roberts Announces OK-2 Run

(March 10th) Durant businessman, veteran, and District 21 State Representative, Dustin Roberts announces his candidacy for Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District.

The latest on the 2nd Congressional District race

Here's the latest on the race for Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District, being vacated by Congressman Markwayne Mullin, who in turn is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jim Inhofe. It's getting to be a crowded race very quickly.

Gov. Stitt appoints Tim Webster as DA for Atoka, Bryan and Coal counties

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR ATOKA, BRYAN AND COAL COUNTIES

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 30, 2020)- Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Tim Webster as District Attorney for District 19, which includes Atoka, Bryan and Coal Counties. Webster fills the seat of Emily Redman, who retired on October 1, 2020. By statute, Webster has been serving as acting District Attorney since then.

"Tim Webster has spent almost four decades serving the people of Atoka, Bryan and Coal Counties," said Gov. Stitt. "His experience as a litigator and prosecutor, as well as his heart for his community, makes him the best choice to serve as the next District Attorney for District 19." 

Rep. Dustin Roberts Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

Rep. Dustin Roberts Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Dustin Roberts announced this week that this will be his last legislative session. He is not seeking re-election.

“I want to thank the great people of House District 21 for putting their trust in me over the last eight years; it has been a true honor to be your representative,” said Roberts, R-Durant. “I spent a great deal of time thinking about this decision, and after conversations with my family I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election as your state representative.

“I first took an oath at 18 to defend and serve the greatest county the world has ever known, and I’ve continued in public service since. Although I’m stepping away from public service as an elected individual that does not mean I will be stepping away from my home, and I will continue to fight for our rural way of life.

“I want to say thank you to the great folks of Bryan county; there is truly is no place better in Oklahoma or the world.”

Roberts was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010. He serves as the assistant majority whip in the House and as the chairman of the Appropriations & Budget Transportation Subcommittee. He also serves as a member of the following committees: Appropriations & Budget, Common Education, County & Municipal Government, and the Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget. His House district covers all of Bryan County.

Rep. Roberts Assists Patrolman with Highway-side Arrest

When a highway patrolman was struggling to arrest a drug trafficker on the side of I-35 last Sunday evening, many drivers called 911 to report the fight. State Rep. Dustin Roberts (R-Durant), however, noticed the altercation, and stopped to lend a hand.


Before backup could arrive, Roberts assisted the officer in handcuffing the man, who had been fighting with trooper for several minutes. Roberts is a freshman legislator and a Navy veteran.

KXII News (southern OK/northern TX) is airing a feature story tonight at 10pm, and the Daily Ardmoreite newspaper has a story coming out tomorrow.

Our thanks and congratulations to both the highway patrolman and Rep. Roberts - true public servants!

UPDATE: Here is the KXII story, and here is a Durant Daily Democrat story.

Major Pickups for State GOP in Legislature

Republicans picked up SIX seats in the State Senate this evening, with Mark Allen (SD4), Josh Brecheen (SD6), Eddie Fields (SD10), Frank Simpson (SD14), Kim David (SD18) and Ralph Shortey (SD44) expanding the GOP ranks to 32 seats, and knocking the Democrats down to 16.

In the State House, the GOP picked up EIGHT seats, with Rusty Farley (HD1), John Bennett (HD2), Dustin Roberts (HD21), Tom Newell (HD28), Steve Vaughan (HD37), Aaron Stiles (HD45), Tommy Hardin (HD49), Jadine Nollan (HD66) growing the GOP majority to 70, and putting the Democrats at 31 seats.

Of these victorious candidates, the biggest shocker to me is Rusty Farley. Farley ran for this seat in 2008, and lost to Democrat Dennis Bailey 56.7%-43.3%. House District 1 contains (and only contains) McCurtain County in far southeastern Oklahoma. A whopping 11.8% of voters are registered Republicans, and 5.2% are Independents. This time, Farley received 50.83% of the vote against Bailey.

Did I mention that Bailey spent over $20,000 on his reelection bid, while Farley spent.... $70? Yes, Farley spent $70* and won the race.

See, I told you it was a shocker.


* - I have since learned that it was a newspaper ad. A newspaper ad. A, as in one.

Dustin Roberts Announces for HD 21

To continue with the Bryan County political news, another Republican has announced for State House District 21, being vacated by Rep. John Carey (D-Durant). In July, we reported that Jack Accountius was running - today, Dustin Roberts announced his candidacy for the same seat.

Dustin (Pryor) Roberts, a Republican of Durant, has announced his candidacy for the District 21 State Representative seat currently held by Democrat John Carey.

“I am asking the people of the 21st district to give me the honor of representing them in our Oklahoma State Capital,” said Roberts, in a news release.

“Today marks the beginning of a campaign that will try to push the boundaries of political lines, working hand-in-hand with the great people of District 21 and our capital leaders, building a stronger district and a greater state. It is important to examine each of the candidates that will be representing one of the strongest districts in the great state of Oklahoma.”

Roberts was born in McAlester but raised in Durant by parents Pam Roberts and local businessman Dennis Roberts. He is a Durant High School graduate, where he participated in football and track.

Upon graduation in 2003, Roberts enlisted in the United States Navy to serve the nation and fight the war on terrorism.

In his five-year career in the United States Navy, Roberts was the recipient of two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for his efforts in the Horn of Africa situation and again in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2004, Roberts was awarded as the Blue Jacket of the Year and honored with an invitation to the Presidential Inaugural Ball and Inaugural Address. He was promoted, through the Command Advancement Program, to 3rd Class Petty Officer by the Command Master Chief and Commanding Officer of VFA-143. Later, Roberts was awarded Junior Sailor of the Year for the leadership role he took on his second deployment.

After five years of enlistment in the U.S. Navy, Roberts enrolled in Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he is pursuing a degree in education.

While enrolled at SE, Roberts is also a partner in his family’s business, All Star Beverages, a drive-thru convenience store.

Roberts and his wife of five years, Lindsay Valles Roberts, of Calera, are members of the Durant Elks Lodge and Calera United Methodist Church.

Together, they volunteer with organizations such as Relay for Life and March of Dimes, and are avid supporters of the local 4-H, FFA and athletics programs.

It's highly unusual for a contested Republican primary in either south-east or east-central Oklahoma, which has been dubbed "Little Dixie" due to the highly Democratic nature of voter registration here. This just speaks to the political climate today, both anti-incumbent and anti-Democrat. This could be a great opportunity for the GOP to gain another state legislative seat in the 2nd Congressional District. Currently, only three Republicans hold seats within the district - State Rep. Tad Jones in Claremore (term-limited), State Rep. Doug Cox in Grove, and State Rep. George Faught in Muskogee.