Details on Drummond's Donations to Democrats

In the race for Attorney General, the most well-funded Republican candidate, who has the most name recognition, the most TV ads, the most outside "dark money" groups helping him, and who leads in the polls, happens to be a longtime donor to Democratic candidates. In this article, you will meet and learn about Gentner Drummond, wannabe Attorney General. You will also hear from some other Republican candidates for office on their record of donating to Democrats. Read on.

OK Attorney Gen O’Connor calls for faster implementation of Anti-Robocall technology

Attorney General O’Connor Calls for Faster Implementation of Anti-Robocall Technology

OKLAHOMA CITY - Attorney General John O’Connor today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight back against illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing by moving up the deadline for telephone companies to implement caller ID technology.

The current deadline for compliance for some companies isn’t until June 2023.

Attorney general O’Connor said the deadline is too far away.

“Oklahomans are being victimized by these unlawful robocalls and spoofing,” Attorney General O’Connor said. “That is why the deadline for companies to comply needs to be sooner than later. Oklahomans, mainly our elderly, who are our most vulnerable are being preyed upon and in some instances having their identities stolen or having money stolen from them. That is why I joined the large, bipartisan group of my colleagues to encourage the FCC to move up the deadline.”

There were 51 attorneys general who signed the letter to the FCC.

David Hill raises $205k in 5th District race, has $172k on-hand

David Hill Raises $205k in First Quarter of Fundraising, has $172k Cash on Hand

Today, the David Hill for Oklahoma congressional campaign filed its quarterly FEC report, revealing it has raised $205,000 and posting $172,000 cash on hand. David Hill is the first candidate in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District to eclipse $200,000 in its first quarter of fundraising activity. Over the last month, David Hill for Oklahoma also welcomed four campaign co-chairmen, Harold Hamm, Steve Green, Dr. Suzanne Reynolds and Pat Rooney.

“I’m tremendously motivated by the level of support my campaign has received in the three months we’ve had to raise dollars”, stated David Hill.

He continued, “It’s clear Oklahomans are ready to send a conservative outsider to Congress that will stand behind President Donald Trump and fight the radical left in Washington.

Bice campaign memo shows $290k raised in last quarter

According to a memo that originated from the Bice for Congress team, the state senator's campaign will show in excess of $290,000 raised during the fourth quarter fundraising period when reports are filed with the Federal Election Commission.

In the memo, the Bice campaign states that their "understanding is that none of our opponents will have raised close to the $290,000 we raised in Q4," noting that it would be the third quarter in a row for them to have outraised the other GOP candidates (self-funding excluded, it should be noted).

Some stats from the Bice campaign on 4th Quarter fundraising:

• Average donation of $95.90
• 96% of donations came from individuals
• 2,846 donations in the 4th Quarter
• 4,479 donations campaign to-date
• 80% from individuals in Oklahoma
• 76% of dollars came from Oklahoma

Bice is one of several Republicans running against Congresswoman Kendra Horn (D-OKC), and one of two unanimously agreed upon frontrunners by members of the Muskogee Politico Insiders Panel back in November.

IT'S OFFICIAL: Mullin files for 2018, breaking term limits pledge

After hinting during his last campaign that he would break his term limits pledge in 2018, Markwayne Mullin has officially filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, declaring his candidacy for a fourth term in Congress.

Mullin's Statement of Candidacy was filed on March 2nd, a day after the Federal Election Commission sent a warning to his campaign that it had accepted contributions and made expenditures in support of a 2018 election without filing official candidacy for the 2018 cycle.

Mullin has made national headlines this week after telling town hall attendees that it is "bullcrap" to say constituents pay his congressional salary. While attempting to do damage control over Mullin's comments, his spokesperson said that Mullin's "aspiration is to be a career legislator" - a statement that makes more sense considering Mullin intends to break his term-limits pledge.

It is a well-established and documented fact that Mullin made a very public term-limits pledge in 2011 when he first started his campaign for Congress. Mullin has not issued any explanation or reasoning to date on why he would break his term limits pledge and seek a fourth term. Instead, he's repeatedly dismissed and mocked those who questioned whether he would break his pledge.

This leaves no doubt - Mullin's word isn't worth the paper it's written on. Oklahoma deserves better than politicians who lack honesty and character.

BROKE: Trump has less cash-on-hand than TOM COLE

One of Donald Trump's biggest claims during the primary was that he was self-funding, and wouldn't be needing campaign donations because he is so rich. That is, until he completely flip-flopped and started asking for donations and fundraising. Turns out that self-funding is easier said than done when most of your wealth is not in liquid assets.

Now, his campaign is practically broke. Want some illustrations?

At the end of May, the last reporting period, Trump's campaign had $1,289,507.76 in cash on hand. He raised $3,104,619.98 during the month of May (and personally donated or loaned $2,293,966.27). In contrast, in May of 2012 Mitt Romney raised $16,002,050.79 and had $16,999,665.75 in cash on hand, not counting RNC money or Romney Victory committee cash.

Additionally, Trump's campaign is carrying a lot of debt, in the form of personal loans amounting to $45,703,185.39.

Contrast Trump's situation with his Democratic counterpart. Hillary Clinton's campaign raised $26,285,740.90 in May (not counting $102,860.92 from the candidate), and has $42,461,785.99 on hand.

Another comparison. Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole has $1,697,875.84 in cash on hand. That's $408,368.08 more than THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE HAS.

Really, it's not that hard. Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee of one of the two major political parties in the nation. By all measures he's a very wealthy businessman with lots of connections. Raising money should not be this difficult.

Way to go, Republican voters. Not only does Trump have to overcome a major self-created polling deficit, but he has to overcome a massive self-created money deficit. Say hello to President Hillary Clinton. It's almost as it he's doing this for a friend...

Record Number of Candidates Possible in 2010

This midterm election is set to have a bumper crop of candidates, according to figures from the Federal Election Commission. Excerpts of the AP article below:

About 2,300 running for Congress, most in decades

Discontent with incumbents and anti-Washington anger are adding up to a potentially record-breaking crowd of congressional challengers this election year.

More than 2,300 people are running for 471 House and Senate seats in the midterms. It's the highest number of candidates in at least 35 years, according to data provided to The Associated Press by the Federal Election Commission, which began tracking candidates in 1975.

Frustration, particularly on the right, with President Barack Obama and his Democratic agenda appears to have contributed to the surge. The field is heavily Republican, with almost twice as many GOP candidates as Democrats, and several hundred independent and third-party challengers.

2,341 people [have] filed statements of candidacy with the FEC for the 2010 House and Senate elections, compared with 1,717 in 2008 and 1,588 in 2006.

The tally is still climbing, with more than a dozen states still allowing candidates to file, and the true number of candidates is probably higher, since some ignore requirements to file with the FEC. Close to 40 states still haven't held their primaries, including nine with primaries in September. The general election is Nov. 2.

The field is significantly larger than in 1976, two years after the Watergate scandal took down President Richard Nixon, and 1994, the year the GOP took control of Congress for the first time in four decades.

The next-largest field - of 2,159 candidates - was in 1992, when Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot battled for the White House.

Read more here.

Edmonds: I'm the GOP Front-Runner

Daniel Edmonds, GOP candidate for the 2nd District, issued the following press release this morning.

Edmonds Becomes GOP's front-runner in District 2

Morris, OK – Recent trends for Oklahoma’s U.S. Congressional District 2 seat show candidate Daniel Edmonds leading the way. Reports for the 2009 third quarter have been submitted to the Federal Elections Commission, with three GOP candidates filing. Of the three candidates, Edmonds campaign is the newest, yet is raising money faster than the others. When comparing the number of days since each candidate filed with the FEC to the end of the filing period on September 30, versus the amount of funds raised, Edmonds is raising more dollars per day.

“I’m excited that the Edmonds 2 Congress campaign is earning more on a per day basis than the other campaigns in this GOP primary…we’re raising funds at a faster rate”, Edmonds said. “Our message of liberty, limited government, respect for the Constitution, respect for life, and personal responsibility resonates with individuals who care about our country, our heritage, and our legacy. We continue to raise funds and ask individuals to make an investment in this campaign and in the future of our State and Nation.”

To view FEC reports, visit http://fec.gov. To learn more about Daniel Edmonds and his current campaign for Oklahoma’s U.S. Congressional District 2 Seat, visit http://danieledmonds.org.

Edmonds officially filed his Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission on August 8th. His two other official opponents, Dan Arnett and Howard Houchen, filed on May 11th and May 26th, respectively. Charles Thompson has not yet officially filed.

I asked for, and received, the following responses from the other candidates.

Dan Arnett - "Although fund raising is important, there is still a year before the election and anything can and will happen. The Arnett campaign has been very busy. For those that were excited when I announced and hosted four town halls, forcing Boren to return to the District and do what he was elected to do in August, get ready because the best is yet to come. I am in this for the long haul, I am in this for you."

Howard Houchen disputed the claim. "I don't see how the math works out. It's hard to see how he [Edmonds] sees himself as the frontrunner. I find it 'thought-provoking', let's put it that way." He also pointed out that he has raised substantially more money than Edmonds. "I've raised over $13000 from individuals, compared to Edmonds' $1900."

I will be releasing my first ranking of the candidates soon, hopefully tomorrow.