Disgraced OK County Sheriff trying to reinsert into county politics?

It looks like disgraced former Democratic Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel is trying to get back into a position of influence in Oklahoma County politics, as he's publicly declaring his support for candidates in several key races for county offices.

Whetsel resigned from office under a cloud of scandal and the threat of indictment over mismanagement and departmental blunders during his tenure. His misdoings ended up costing Oklahoma County taxpayers over $3,300,000 in higher property taxes to pay for medical bills that Whetsel simply ignored rather than deal with. A scathing audit by State Auditor Gary Jones found repeated examples of financial wrongdoing and actions taken without approval of county commissioners.

Oklahoma County is on the verge of electing a conservative reformist majority to county offices, tilting the County Budget Board in a new direction.

The budget board is comprised of the county elected officials. From conversations I've had with individuals with closer knowledge of the situation, the conservative/reform side includes County Commissioner Brian Maughan (R), County Clerk David Hooten (R), Court Clerk Rick Warren (R), and Assessor Leonard Sullivan (R).  The status-quo group is made up of  Sheriff PD Taylor (R; Whetsel's former chief deputy and successor), County Treasurer Butch Freeman (R), County Commissioner Ray Vaughan (R), and Democrat Commissioner Willa Johnson (D).

Of those officials, several are either retiring or facing contested races this year. Commissioner Johnson (D) is retiring, and will most likely be replaced by former State Senator Al McAffrey (D). Commissioner Vaughan (R) is also retiring, and term-limited State Rep. Kevin Calvey (R) is favored to defeat Vaughan's chief deputy, Rick Buchanan, in the primary and defeat the Democrat candidate in the general election. Treasurer Butch Freeman is being challenged by Oklahoma County GOP Chairman Daren Ward, with Freeman -- Freeman has held the office since 1993 and is likely to hold on.

With Calvey favored to win his race and pick that seat up for the conservatives/reformists, that makes the primary for County Assessor the swing seat. Incumbent Republican Leonard Sullivan is retiring, and there is a contested GOP primary race between his conservative chief deputy, Larry Stein, and former State Rep. Gary Banz.

Stein is endorsed by outgoing Assessor Sullivan, as well as the rest of the conservative/reform gang on the County Budget Board. Under Sullivan and Stein, the Oklahoma County Assessor's office has hit a record-low number of property value appeals (0.0007% as opposed to the typical county average of 6%-12%), among other accomplishments.

Whetsel, a Democrat, has endorsed Banz for County Assessor, Buchanan for County Commissioner, and Freeman for Treasurer, all of whom are Republicans, in addition to Democrat McAffrey for Commissioner.

Now, why is a disgraced longtime Democrat elected official weighing in on Republican primaries? Could it be that he would prefer to keep the status quo than to see conservative reforms sweep through Oklahoma County?

Oklahoma County voters have an opportunity to bring serious change to county government. It's important that they choose wisely, especially given that voting trends in Oklahoma County may be beginning to swing back in the Democrats' direction.

6 OK County mayors endorse Banz for Assessor

Six Mayors Endorse Gary Banz in County Assessor’s Race

Six Oklahoma County mayors announced [Wednesday] they are endorsing Gary Banz in the Oklahoma County Assessor’s race.

“The county assessor’s work impacts not only Oklahoma County government, but also the tax
bases for each city and every school district, so it’s an honor to receive such strong support
from so many sitting mayors,” Banz said. “I make the same promise to all voters that I made to
each of the mayors: If elected, I will ensure the assessor’s office is run with competence and
integrity.”

The mayors endorsing Banz include Harrah Mayor Larry Fryar, Choctaw Mayor Randy Ross,
Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes, Del City Mayor Brian Linley, Jones Mayor Ray Poland, and
Bethany Mayor K.P. Westmoreland.

Banz previously served 12 years as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives,
where he served as majority whip, chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, chair of
the Conference Committee on Government Modernization and Rules Committee, chair of the
House Rules Committee, and chair of the House Ethics Committee.

During his service in the House, Banz was given the 2016 National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB) – Oklahoma Guardian of Small Business Award, the 2014 National Guard
Association of Oklahoma’s Legislator of the Year, the 2013 American Legislative Exchange
Council (ALEC) Legislator of the Year, and the 2009 Oklahoma Veteran’s Council Legislator of
the Year, among many other honors.

From 2009-2017, Banz served as executive director of Oklahoma Honor Flights, a non-profit
organization that made it possible for Oklahoma’s World War II veterans to visit the memorials
honoring their service in Washington, D.C.

Banz has long been active in local and civic affairs. In 2017, he served as chairman of the 75 th
anniversary celebration of the founding of Midwest City. From 2001 to 2004, Banz served on the
Rose State College Board of Regents and from 1999 to 2001 on the Oklahoma County Election
Board. He is a member of both the Midwest City Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

Banz served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and was awarded the Army Commendation
Medal in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982 to 1990, and was awarded the
Army Achievement Medal in 1985. Banz was a member of the Planning Committee for funding
of the USS Oklahoma Memorial in 2007. He was awarded the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom
from the National Guard Association of Oklahoma in 2014. Banz was presented the Douglas O.
Dollar Distinguished Community Service Award for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2016.
He was honored by the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society with its Pathmaker Award in
2016.

Former Rep. Banz announces for Oklahoma County Assessor

Gary Banz Seeks Oklahoma County Assessor Job

Community leader Gary Banz announced today that he will be a Republican candidate for Oklahoma County Assessor in 2018. Incumbent Assessor Leonard Sullivan is not seeking reelection.

“I’ve been blessed to wear many hats through the years. I’ve enjoyed being a soldier, an educator, a citizen legislator, and a community and civic leader,” Banz said. “I am grateful for the leadership opportunities I have been given and the accomplishments realized through dedicated teamwork. It would be my honor to serve the citizens of Oklahoma County as their next Assessor,” Banz added. 

Banz served 12 years as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. During his legislative service, Banz held several leadership positions, including majority whip, chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, chair of the Conference Committee on Government Modernization and Rules Committee, chair of the House Rules Committee, and chair of the House Ethics Committee.

During his service in the House, Banz was given the 2016 National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) – Oklahoma Guardian of Small Business Award, the 2014 National Guard Association of Oklahoma’s Legislator of the Year, the 2013 American Legislative Exchange Council Legislator of the Year, and the 2009 Oklahoma Veteran’s Council Legislator of the Year, among many other honors.

From 2009 through earlier this year, Banz served as executive director of Oklahoma Honor Flights, a non-profit organization that made it possible for Oklahoma’s World War II veterans to visit the memorials honoring their service in Washington, D.C.

Banz has long been active in local and civic affairs. He is currently serving as chairman of the year-long 75th anniversary celebration of the founding of Midwest City. From 2001 to 2004, Banz served on the Rose State College Board of Regents and from 1999 to 2001 on the Oklahoma County Election Board. He is a member of both the Midwest City Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

Before serving in the Legislature, Banz was a public school educator in Putnam City, Ada, and Midwest City High Schools for 28 years. He coached high school basketball 21 of those 28 years and was a 2014 inductee into the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Banz served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982 to 1990, and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal in 1985. Banz was a member of the Planning Committee for funding of the USS Oklahoma Memorial in 2007. He was awarded the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom from the National Guard Association of Oklahoma in 2014. Banz was presented the Douglas O. Dollar Distinguished Community Service Award for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2016. He was honored by the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society with its Pathmaker Award in 2016.

“Every job is different, but I’ve found that the secret to success is to focus on those you serve and to get the small things right,” Banz said. “My promise to the voters of Oklahoma County is that I will ensure the assessor’s office is competent, thorough, and professional.”

Banz holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Nazarene University (SNU) and a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. He and his wife, Linda, are members of the Choctaw Church of the Nazarene. Banz is the 2017 recipient of the In Kingdom Service Award presented by SNU at the denomination’s International General Assembly. They have three children and six grandchildren.