Marty Quinn announces campaign for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner

Great news! I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have in this position. Incumbent Republican Glen Mulready is term-limited, so this will be an open seat:

Marty Quinn Announces Campaign for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner

Conservative Businessman and Former State Senator Brings Decades of Industry Experience to the Race

CLAREMORE, OK (July 15th) — Marty Quinn, a small business owner, insurance professional, and longtime conservative leader, today announced his candidacy for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner.

With over 40 years of experience as an agency owner and manager— Quinn brings unmatched expertise and a deep commitment to public service. A former Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee and respected voice in the Oklahoma Legislature, Quinn is running to restore transparency, protect consumers, and ensure the Insurance Department works for the people — not the bureaucracy.

OCPA column: Stitt's inauguration sets tone

Inauguration sets tone

By Jonathan Small

Gov. Kevin Stitt set the right tone for his second term in his inauguration speech, signaling a focus on good policy. Stitt’s agenda gives Oklahomans reason for optimism.

“It’s time to keep moving forward with big ideas and to get them across the finish line for today’s children as well as the next generation,” Stitt said.

Oklahoma turns a new page with new leaders

With the inauguration of Governor Kevin Stitt and a mostly-new slate of statewide elected officials, the state of Oklahoma is turning the page and closing a chapter.

Stitt looks to be a bold contrast to the [largely disappointing and frustrating] past eight years of Mary Fallin, but time will tell whether he will be able to get the Legislature to work with him in order to accomplish his goals. There are promising signs already.

New Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell was also sworn in on Monday, as well as Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony (his final term), State Auditor Cindy Byrd (her first term), Attorney General Mike Hunter (his first full term), State Treasurer Randy McDaniel (his first term), State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister (her final term), Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn (her first term), and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready (his first term).

You can read Gov. Stitt's inauguration speech here, or watch the full ceremony below, courtesy of Tulsa's NBC affiliate, KJRH:

They voted to make it easier to raise your taxes. Vote accordingly.

In 1992, Oklahoma voters revolted against higher taxes and passed State Question 640, a constitutional amendment that attacked the ease with which tax increases had historically been passed. SQ640 required revenue-raising measures to either be passed by a majority vote of the people (50%+1) or a 75% vote in both houses of the Legislature, rather than a simple legislative majority as had been the practice.

Big government advocates and tax hogs have complained about it ever since.

As legislative Republicans began abandoning their conservative principles over the past few years in the face of tough fiscal choices, they increasingly started to talk about gutting SQ640 and lowering the standard for revenue-raising measures.

Until this past year, no outright tax increase had achieved that 75% hurdle, although hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes had been raised through other means (votes of the people, fees, and other loopholes). To be fair, few outright tax increases had been attempted. Nevertheless, the 75% hurdle did not prove to be "impossible" as tax fans had decried.

At the beginning of the 2018 legislative session, efforts began in earnest to actually reduce the revenue-raising threshold and gut SQ640's constitutional language. House leadership filed a measure (HJR1032) to drop the threshold to 3/5ths (60%), and then a new measure (HJR 1050) to change it to 2/3rds was brought to the floor.

All of this continued to ignore the fact that a statewide vote of the people only requires a bare majority of 50%+1 vote. Legislators continue to fear placing tax increase measures before the voters, counting instead on short memories to cover up their legislative voting records.

HJR 1050 made it to a vote. An amendment was submitted to reduce the tax-hike vote threshold from the proposed 2/3rds back down to 60% (like HJR 1032). That amendment failed, although a shameful 39 Republicans voted for it. The next vote saw 44 Republicans join 7 Democrats in passing the bill.

That brings us to this election. Three Republicans on the ballot for statewide office voted to gut SQ640 and make it easier for the Legislature to raise your taxes.

State Reps. Randy McDaniel, Glen Mulready, and Leslie Osborn all voted to change the tax-raising requirement from 3/4ths to 2/3rds. Glen Mulready voted to move it even lower to 3/5ths (McDaniel voted against, Osborn skipped the vote but in all likelihood would have voted yes).

McDaniel is running for State Treasurer. He is facing off against a lone Independent candidate, Charles De Coune.

Mulready is running for Insurance Commissioner. He is facing a Democrat, Kimberly Fobbs.

Osborn is running for Labor Commissioner. She is facing Democrat Fred Dorrell and Independent Brandt Dismukes.

After the House passed HJR 1050, current Insurance Commissioner John Doak slammed the Republicans who voted to gut SQ640, saying that it was "hard to believe this vote has happened in Oklahoma", and "our party needs to govern by continuing to increase efficiency and effectiveness of limited government and lowering taxes not making it easier to raise by lowering the threshold of votes needed." Several county Republican parties (including Muskogee County) passed resolutions opposing the effort to make it easier to raise taxes, as did other conservative organizations.

This betrayal of the Oklahoma taxpayer should not be rewarded by promoting these individuals to higher office. McDaniel and Mulready are cordial and well-meaning, and generally conservative, but legislative votes have consequences. This was a major transgression. Osborn has many flaws, including her targeting of conservatives and endorsement by the AFL-CIO, and this is just one more to add to the pile.

None of these three Republicans will be getting my vote this election. I haven't completely decided whether I'll simply not cast a vote in their races, or if I will vote for their opposition, but I absolutely will not lend them my vote. That's no loss to them, as I'm sure they'll all three win by large margins, but principles matter, and betrayal of principles also matters.

Remember this at your ballot box and vote accordingly.

On a side note, at least 16 of the other Republicans who voted against the Oklahoma taxpayer are on the ballot for re-election. Check the betrayal list here.

Mulready airs new TV ad in Insurance race

Mulready Campaign Launches New TV Ad

TULSA, OK – Long-time insurance professional Glen Mulready is the first candidate in the Insurance Commissioner’s race to begin airing television ads starting today. The 30-second spot highlights Mulready’s 35 years of experience in the industry, as well as his plan to ensure consumers come first should he be elected.

The ads also feature his wife of 30 years, Sally, a real estate professional in the Tulsa area, and his three teenage sons, Sam, 18, Jake, 16 and Will, 15.

“We are excited to launch this new television ad because we believe that it really captures why Glen is the candidate in this race ready to be our next insurance commissioner. Glen’s 35 years of insurance industry experience has prepared him to protect Oklahomans from day one in office,” Campaign Manager Robert Aery said. “Plus, in another election cycle where negative ads are prevalent, we wanted to keep our message positive and stay focused on who we believe this race is about: consumers. Glen will work hard to make sure that families and businesses across the state have the choices they need to provide insurance for the people that matter to them most.”

Mulready has spent the last nine years as an independent broker working with businesses of all sizes. He formerly spent 13 years on the executive teams of Oklahoma’s two largest health insurance companies and has worked in the insurance industry for more than 35 years.

In his capacity as a state legislator, Mulready has led numerous efforts to reform the state’s insurance laws. He was first elected to represent House District 68 as a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010. He served as the House Insurance Chairman, as well as the Majority Floor Leader.

View the ad below:

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.

Pre-Runoff Finance Reports: other Statewide races

Continuing through the pre-primary campaign finance reports, we'll now look at some of the remaining down-ballot statewide races. As in previous posts on this topic, the totals are campaign-to-date.

STATE AUDITOR and INSPECTOR

REPUBLICANS

Charlie Prater (R)
Total raised: $440,400.00 (includes $306,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $383,820.19
Total cash-on-hand: $56,579.80
Burn rate: 87.15%

Cindy Byrd (R)
Total raised: $119,198.79
Total spent: $83,289.30
Total cash-on-hand: $28,434.52
Burn rate: 74.55%

John Uzzo (R)
Total raised: $350.00
Total spent: $230.00
Total cash-on-hand: $120.00

LIBERTARIAN

John Yeutter (L)

Total raised: $4,243.96
Total spent: $3,362.52
Total cash-on-hand: $881.44
Burn rate: 65.71%

ATTORNEY GENERAL

REPUBLICANS

Mike Hunter (R)
Total raised: $2,147,986.11 (includes $700,000 personal loan)
Total spent: $1,921,131.01
Total cash-on-hand: $215,810.91
Burn rate: 89.9%

Gentner Drummond (R)
Total raised: $2,166,641.60 (includes $1,280,000 personal loan)
Total spent: $1,902,393.15
Total cash-on-hand: $234,251.85
Burn rate: 89.04%

Angela Bonilla (R)
Total raised: $1,506.44
Total spent: $2,622.48
Total cash-on-hand: $-1,297.48

DEMOCRAT

Mark Myles (D)
Total raised: $36,549.18
Total spent: $23,131.50
Total cash-on-hand: $5,128.50
Burn rate: 81.85%

STATE TREASURER 

Randy McDaniel (R)
Total raised: $292,933.37
Total spent: $42,878.59
Total cash-on-hand: $248,624.23
Burn rate: 14.71%

Charles De Coune (I)
Total raised: $17,797.00 (includes $5,000 loan)
Total spent: $1,944.87
Total cash-on-hand: $15,852.13
Burn rate: 10.93%

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

REPUBLICANS

Joy Hofmeister (R)
Total raised: $438,635.42
Total spent: $333,510.01
Total cash-on-hand: $102,780.52
Burn rate: 76.44%

Linda Murphy (R)
Total raised: $21,913.93
Total spent: $17,490.29
Total cash-on-hand: $3,589.71
Burn rate: 82.97%

Will Farrell (R)
Total raised: $3,168.00 ($2,268 in personal loans)
Total spent: $3,053.45
Total cash-on-hand: $114.55

DEMOCRAT

John Cox (D)
Total raised: $22,386.74
Total spent: $15,401.18
Total cash-on-hand: $6,653.82
Burn rate: 69.83%

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Glen Mulready (R)
Total raised: $698,499.93
Total spent: $571,340.26
Total cash-on-hand: $120,761.43
Burn rate: 82.55%

Donald Chasteen (R)
Total raised: $12,650.00
Total spent: $11,229.25
Total cash-on-hand: $1,420.75

DEMOCRAT

Kimberly Fobbs (D)
Total raised: $18,060.00
Total spent: $13,646.10
Total cash-on-hand: $1,707.90
Burn rate: 88.88%

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER

Bob Anthony (R)
Total raised: $666,759.37 (includes $435,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $588,269.14
Total cash-on-hand: $78,490.23
Burn rate: 88.23%

Brian Bingman (R)
Total raised: $497,405.22 (includes $110,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $483,390.14
Total cash-on-hand: $14,015.08
Burn rate: 97.18%

Harold Spradling (R)
Total raised: $5,000 (all a personal loan)
Total spent: $0
Total cash-on-hand: $5,000

DEMOCRATS

Ashley McCray (D)
Total raised: $12,128.46
Total spent: $2,088.29
Total cash-on-hand: $7,320.71
Burn rate: 22.19%

Blake Cummings (D)
Total raised: $14,673.73 (includes $10,610 loan)
Total spent: $14,191.68
Total cash-on-hand: $-1,888.51
Burn rate: 115.35%

Beau Williams (D)
Total raised: $71,633.74 (includes $21,500.00 loan)
Total spent: $67,656.00
Total cash-on-hand: $0

Election Results Map: GOP Insurance Comm Primary

For the latest installment in my Election Results Maps series, we now take a look at the GOP Insurance Commissioner race. As is my custom, I try to match primary results map colors to campaign logos when possible.

In one of the less well-known downballot races, State Rep. Glen Mulready was the only statewide Republican candidate to clinch the nomination in the primary election* -- seemingly only due to the fact that there was only one other candidate.

Mulready spent at least $500,000 in the primary, while Chasteen spent less than $10,000. Nevertheless, Chasteen still won 16 counties, including a string of counties in southern Oklahoma.

The closest result was in Mayes County, where Chasteen beat Mulready by a vote of 2,295 (50.05%) to 2,290 (49.95%). Mulready received over 60% in Alfalfa, Ellis, Harmon, Harper, Kingfisher, Nowata counties, while Chasteen took 62% in Stephens County.


* - Republican State Rep. Randy McDaniel clinched the GOP nomination for State Treasurer by virtue of being the only individual to file on the Republican side.

Pre-Primary Finance Reports: other Statewide races

Continuing through the pre-primary campaign finance reports, we'll now look at some of the remaining down-ballot statewide races. As in previous posts on this topic, the totals are campaign-to-date.

STATE AUDITOR and INSPECTOR

REPUBLICANS

Charlie Prater (R)
Total raised: $196,750.00 (includes $73,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $173,746.15
Total cash-on-hand: $23,003.85
Burn rate: 88.31%

Cindy Byrd (R)
Total raised: $83,022.00
Total spent: $51,003.32
Total cash-on-hand: $24,682.71
Burn rate: 67.39%

John Uzzo - $1,050 in in-kind expenditures, nothing else raised or spent

LIBERTARIAN

John Yeutter (L)

Total raised: $3,301.56
Total spent: $3,120.12
Total cash-on-hand: $181.44
Burn rate: 94.50%

ATTORNEY GENERAL

REPUBLICANS

Mike Hunter (R)
Total raised: $1,291,093.11 (includes $300,000 personal loan)
Total spent: $1,028,171.31
Total cash-on-hand: $253,177.61
Burn rate: 80.24%

Gentner Drummond (R)
Total raised: $1,282,924.05 (includes $875,000 personal loan)
Total spent: $1,199,049.19
Total cash-on-hand: $68,425.81
Burn rate: 94.60%

Angela Bonilla (R)
Total raised: $1,431.44
Total spent: $1,152.50
Total cash-on-hand: $97.50
Burn rate: 92.20%

DEMOCRAT

Mark Myles (D)
Total raised: $16,638.39
Total spent: $6,305.54
Total cash-on-hand: $1,014.46
Burn rate: 86.14%

STATE TREASURER 

Randy McDaniel (R)
Total raised: $289,783.37
Total spent: $35,333.75
Total cash-on-hand: $253,019.07
Burn rate: 12.25%

Charles De Coune (I)
Total raised: $6,050
Total spent: $396.51
Total cash-on-hand: $5,653.49
Burn rate: 6.55%

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

REPUBLICANS

Joy Hofmeister (R)
Total raised: $279,845.42
Total spent: $168,447.86
Total cash-on-hand: $109,552.67
Burn rate: 60.59%

Linda Murphy (R)
Total raised: $14,338.93
Total spent: $5,735.21
Total cash-on-hand: $7,769.79
Burn rate: 42.47%

Will Farrell (R)
Total raised: $2,768.00 ($2,268 in personal loans)
Total spent: $2,743.60
Total cash-on-hand: $24.40
Burn rate: 99.12%

DEMOCRAT

John Cox (D)
Total raised: $15,300.00
Total spent: $2,867.46
Total cash-on-hand: $12,432.54
Burn rate: 18.74%

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Glen Mulready (R)
Total raised: $591,098.40
Total spent: $489,694.20
Total cash-on-hand: $95,555.96
Burn rate: 83.67%

Donald Chasteen (R)
Total raised: $7,900.00
Total spent: $3,214.68
Total cash-on-hand: $4,685.32
Burn rate: 40.69%

DEMOCRAT

Kimberly Fobbs (D)
Total raised: $9,024.00
Total spent: $5,865.30
Total cash-on-hand: $2,908.70
Burn rate: 66.85%

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER

Bob Anthony (R)
Total raised: $510,375.00 (includes $360,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $374,743.55
Total cash-on-hand: $135,631.45
Burn rate: 73.43%

Brian Bingman (R)
Total raised: $418,029.22 (includes $100,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $268,620.71
Total cash-on-hand: $149,408.51
Burn rate: 64.26%

Harold Spradling (R)
Total raised: $5,000 (all a personal loan)
Total spent: $0
Total cash-on-hand: $5,000
Burn rate: 0%

DEMOCRATS

Beau Williams (D)
Total raised: $37,573.74 (includes $1,500.00 loan)
Total spent: $14,721.81
Total cash-on-hand: $18,874.19
Burn rate: 43.82%

Blake Cummings (D)
Total raised: $11,845.56 (includes $10,000 loan)
Total spent: $2,812.41
Total cash-on-hand: $7,662.59
Burn rate: 26.85%

Ashley McCray (D)
Total raised: $1,868.00
Total spent: $557.65
Total cash-on-hand: $1,310.35
Burn rate: 29.85%

Brief Blogging Bullets: a quick recap

I've been on vacation for the past two weeks, and so there's been quite a bit of news and activity that did not get a mention here.

Here are some brief blogging bullets to catch up with some noteworthy items.

• Andy Coleman received another endorsement by a Freedom Caucus member, this time from Congressman Scott Perry. Coleman has received endorsements from 8 Freedom Caucus members so far in his bid to replace ex-Congressman Jim Bridenstine in the 1st District.
• GOP gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt is out with a new TV ad
• OCPA statement on accused professor receiving state subsidies
• Reps. Sean Roberts, Teague Request Study on Legislation to Provide Accountability and Funding for State Agencies
• Rep. Tom Gann Submits Interim Study Request on Commissioners of Land Office
• U.S. Sen. James Lankford is encouraging Oklahomans to vote against SQ788, the "Medical Marijuana" referendum
• Surprise, surprise! Oklahoma government gross receipts set a new record in May. Gross receipts have grown by $1.3B in the last 12 months. But we still needed those tax hikes?
• According to a new statewide survey of Oklahoma voters commissioned by OCPA, Oklahomans support the idea of letting tax dollars follow the child to the school of their parents’ choice.
• GOP gubernatorial Gary Richardson is slamming Kevin Stitt's business record in a new TV ad
• 1st District GOP candidate Andy Coleman has been endorsed by Club For Growth
• GOP gubernatorial candidate Todd Lamb is out with a TV ad featuring Gen. Tommy Franks
• GOP Insurance Commission candidate Glen Mulready has a humorous and effective TV ad
• 1st District GOP candidate Nathan Dahm has been endorsed by the NRA
• GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Fisher is running a TV ad
• The GOP race for Attorney General is turning increasingly nasty. I receive press releases almost daily from Mike Hunter and Gentner Drummond... but get such a bad taste from them that I don't run them. It's two attorneys slinging mud as fast and hard as they can... and I'm disinclined to vote for either of them at this point.

1Q Campaign Finance Reports for other Statewide races

Continuing through the 1st Quarter campaign finance reports, we'll now look at some of the remaining down-ballot statewide races. As in previous posts on this topic, the totals are campaign-to-date. Some candidates filed for these offices, but did not announce their candidacy in time to collect 1st Quarter contributions.

STATE AUDITOR & INSPECTOR

Charlie Prater (R)
Total raised: $106,150.00 (includes $73,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $32,165.22
Total cash-on-hand: $73,984.78
Burn rate: 30.3%

Cindy Byrd (R)
Total raised: $32,248.97
Total spent: $12,712.38
Total cash-on-hand: $14,762.62
Burn rate: 46.27%

John Yeutter (L)

Total raised: $1,806.56
Total spent: $584.80
Total cash-on-hand: $1,221.76
Burn rate: 32.37%

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mike Hunter (R)
Total raised: $690,698.39
Total spent: $272,477.06
Total cash-on-hand: $408,902.94
Burn rate: 39.99%

STATE TREASURER 

Randy McDaniel (R)
Total raised: $280,904.92
Total spent: $28,017.71
Total cash-on-hand: $251,456.66
Burn rate: 10.03%

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Joy Hofmeister (R)
Total raised: $185,725.33
Total spent: $57,913.86
Total cash-on-hand: $126,969.67
Burn rate: 31.32%

John Cox (D)
Total raised: $8,250.00
Total spent: $0
Total cash-on-hand: $8,250.00
Burn rate: 0%

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Glen Mulready (R)
Total raised: $571,863.64
Total spent: $175,512.47
Total cash-on-hand: $386,757.69
Burn rate: 31.21%

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER

Bob Anthony (R)
Total raised: $454,200.00 (includes $360,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $1,040.86
Total cash-on-hand: $453,159.14
Burn rate: 0.23%

Brian Bingman (R)
Total raised: $388,179.22 (includes $100,000.00 loan)
Total spent: $26,398.51
Total cash-on-hand: $361,780.71
Burn rate: 6.8%

Fallin Signs Bill Setting Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Bill Setting Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed legislation that directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver that institutes work requirements for Medicaid. 

House Bill (HB) 2932 by Representative Glen Mulready and Senator Adam Pugh is a measure requested by the governor. It is part of a suite of bills related to employment, training, and education client engagement for recipients of public assistance programs.

HB 2932 aligns Medicaid work and job training requirements with that of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which involves working, participation in a work program, or a combination of both 20 hours a week.  The new eligibility criteria will affect up to approximately 8,000 able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 18 and 50. The state has the ability to negotiate any further exemptions necessary in the waiver writing process.

“It is imperative to provide expectations for all of our citizens who are able to work,” said Fallin. “Medicaid recipients who are able-bodied will be able to take advantage of job-training programs and work opportunities that lead to a stable job, self-sufficiency, and success. Medicaid is meant to be a safety net for the most vulnerable among us: the medically frail, pregnant women, new mothers, and children. Those individuals will continue to be exempt from work requirements.”

CMS has approved similar waivers from Kentucky, Indiana, New Hampshire and Arkansas. Maine, Kansas, Mississippi, and others have submitted waivers, and await approval from CMS.

HB 2932 takes effect Nov. 1.

Fallin last month signed HB 2825, which links Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients with career and technology education and training programs.

Mulready raises $200k in 4th Quarter, $500k to date

Mulready Reports Successful Fundraising Period

More than $200,000 raised in quarter; Tops $500,000 for campaign

TULSA, OK – Glen Mulready’s campaign for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner released fundraising totals today showing the Republican candidate well-positioned for this year’s contest.  By raising $203,225.80 during the fourth quarter of 2017, the campaign has $505,264.40 in its coffers to date and approximately $400,000.00 on hand for future campaign expenses.

“I am continually encouraged by the support received from those who know the insurance industry and those who support a free-market approach to insurance.  Oklahomans know we need a regulatory system that promotes more choices for insurance consumers.” Mulready stated.

Endorsed by term-limited Insurance Commissioner John Doak, as well as the Chairmen of both the State House and Senate Insurance Committees, Mulready has spent much of his time visiting with voters across the state.

“While we have been successful, we take nothing for granted,” Mulready stated.  “I’m a candidate who tells it like it is.  I’ll be in your town, and when you see me, I’ll ask for your vote and probably for a campaign contribution,” Mulready joked.

“Our contributions have come from all parts of the state,” stated Robert Aery, Mulready’s campaign manager.  “Glen is continuing to listen to voters, insurance agents, and those who care about access to affordable insurance. We’ll continue these visits as we start the sprint toward Election Day.”

Glen Mulready kicks off Insurance Commissioner campaign

Glen Mulready Launches Campaign for Insurance Commissioner

Announces Campaign Funds of More than $300,000

TULSA, OK – More than a hundred supporters from across the state joined Glen Mulready last night to officially launch his campaign for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner.

“I am humbled and energized by the number of people who attended the kick-off and who have supported my campaign,” said Glen Mulready, “I am grateful for every donation I have received. The campaign is growing and I look forward to continuing to travel the state to share my vision with voters about how we improve access to insurance, make our state more business friendly, and protect consumers.”

Mulready announced his statewide campaign’s first fundraising report numbers at the event. His upcoming report will show more than $302,000 in total funds and contributions. This includes $185,750 raised from more than 240 individual donors and PACs, as well as just over $1,000 in in-kind contributions. In addition, Mulready’s total includes $115,281 left over from his 2016 legislative campaign committee. As Mulready filed paperwork in July, this is the first fundraising quarter for this campaign.

“I am so happy to support Glen Mulready. I have known Glen, his wife Sally, and the boys for years. Not only is Glen an insurance professional, but he and his family are just good people,” stated event attendee Ken Wamble.

Mulready, who has more than 34 years of experience in the insurance industry, has also led numerous efforts to reform the state’s insurance laws in his capacity as a state legislator. A Republican, Mulready was first elected as to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010. Former chairman of the Insurance Committee, Mulready currently serves as the Majority Floor Leader.

Vaughn Graham, President of Rich & Cartmill, is the chair of Friends of Glen Mulready, 2018 and Gip Gibson, President of Commerce Bank, is the Treasurer.

Senate Insurance Committee Chair Endorses Glen Mulready

Senate Insurance Committee Chair Endorses Glen Mulready

TULSA, OK - Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Sen. Bill Brown (R-Broken Arrow), is the latest insurance expert to endorse Glen Mulready and his bid to be Oklahoma's next Insurance Commissioner. Current Insurance Commissioner John Doak and House Insurance Committee Chairman Lewis Moore have previously endorsed Mulready.

"Glen Mulready and I have worked together in the insurance industry in and around Tulsa for more than 20 years." said Brown. "Furthermore, Glen and I have worked closely together in our roles as House and Senate Insurance Committee Chairs. I have seen firsthand his tenacity when it comes to advocating for insurance reforms in the legislature and I know that he will work just as hard to create a competitive, business-friendly market for the consumers of this state. Glen Mulready is just the kind of experienced conservative Oklahoma needs as our next Insurance Commissioner and I am proud to endorse him.”

Senator Brown was elected to the Oklahoma legislature in 2006 and represents portions of Broken Arrow and Tulsa.

"I am honored to receive Senator Brown’s endorsement," said Mulready. "Senator Brown knows the insurance industry better than most and is a well-respected member of the Oklahoma State Senate. His support is encouraging and I look forward to continuing to work with him should I be elected to lead the Insurance Department.

Mulready spent 13 years on the executive teams of Oklahoma’s two largest health insurance companies and for the last eight years has been self-employed as an independent broker working with businesses of all sizes. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 33 years.

Mulready was first elected to represent House District 68 as a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010.

House Insurance Committee Chair Endorses Glen Mulready

House Insurance Committee Chair Endorses Glen Mulready

TULSA, OK - Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, Rep. Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia), has endorsed Glen Mulready and his bid to be Oklahoma's next Insurance Commissioner.

"Glen Mulready and I have served on the House Insurance Committee together for the last seven years," said Moore. "I worked closely with him when he chaired the committee, and over the last year as I have chaired the committee, to implement numerous legislative reforms aimed at improving our state's business climate while also safeguarding consumers. I cannot think of anyone more knowledgeable when it comes to our state's insurance laws and I am proud to endorse him to be our state's next Insurance Commissioner."

Representative Moore was elected to the Oklahoma legislature in 2008 and represents portions of Oklahoma County, including his hometown of Edmond.

"I am honored to receive Rep. Moore's endorsement," said Mulready. "We have worked closely together in the legislature and his support is humbling. He is an experienced insurance professional and I look forward to continuing to work with him should I be elected to lead the Insurance Department.

Mulready spent 13 years on the executive teams of Oklahoma’s two largest health insurance companies and for the last eight years has been self-employed as an independent broker working with businesses of all sizes. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 33 years.

Mulready was first elected to represent House District 68 as a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as a Majority Floor Leader.

Doak, Bridenstine endorse Mulready for Insurance Commissioner

State Rep. Glen Mulready, Republican candidate for Insurance Commissioner, announced two major endorsements in the past week:

Insurance Commissioner John Doak Endorses Glen Mulready  

TULSA, OK – Today, Insurance Commissioner John Doak endorsed Glen Mulready and his bid to become his successor at the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

“I cannot think of anyone more suited to be our state’s next Insurance Commissioner than Glen Mulready,” stated Insurance Commissioner John Doak. “I have known and worked with Glen for many years in the insurance industry. In his role as the Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, we have continued to work together on many legislative reforms aimed at safeguarding consumers and creating a more robust business climate. Glen Mulready is the kind of experienced, trusted conservative we need as our next Insurance Commissioner and I am honored to support him.”

John Doak was elected Oklahoma’s 12th Insurance Commissioner in 2011 and was re-elected to his second term in 2015. He is active in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) where he serves as the Chair of the Property and Casualty Insurance Committee and the Antifraud Task Force. Doak is also a member of the Association’s Government Relations Leadership Council, the International Relations Leadership Group and is an NAIC representative to the International Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Prior to being elected, Doak worked in the insurance in Tulsa for 30 years.
“I am honored to receive Commissioner Doak’s endorsement,” said Mulready. “It is encouraging to know that he believes I am the right candidate to fill his shoes at the Insurance Department and I look forward to visiting with Oklahomans across the state about my vision for the department over the coming months.”

Commissioner Doak’s endorsement comes just three days after Mulready was also endorsed by 1st District Congressman Jim Bridenstine.

Mulready spent 13 years on the executive teams of Oklahoma’s two largest health insurance companies and for the last eight years has been self-employed as an independent broker working with businesses of all sizes. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 33 years.

Mulready has also led numerous efforts to reform our state’s insurance laws in his capacity as a state legislator. He was first elected to represent House District 68 as a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as a Majority Floor Leader.


On the 11th, Mulready sent out the following endorsement announcement: 

Congressman Bridenstine Endorses Glen Mulready for Insurance Commissioner

TULSA, OK – Congressman Jim Bridenstine has endorsed Glen Mulready for Insurance Commissioner after he announced last week that he had filed his Statement of Organization to form a campaign committee with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

"I am proud to endorse Glen Mulready for Insurance Commissioner,” stated Congressman Jim Bridenstine, “Glen is a principled leader with more than 33 years of experience working in the insurance industry and seven years as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Glen Mulready will be a great Insurance Commissioner."

Congressman Jim Bridenstine was elected to represent Oklahoma’s First Congressional District in 2012. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, where he flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving active duty and prior to being elected to Congress, Bridenstine returned to Tulsa to serve as the Executive Director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium.

“I am honored to have received the endorsement of Congressman Bridenstine in the first few days of my campaign for Insurance Commissioner,” said Mulready. “He is a respected lawmaker and his support is humbling and encouraging as I begin traveling the state and visiting with Oklahomans about my experience and vision for the Insurance Department in the coming months.”

Mulready spent 13 years on the executive teams of Oklahoma’s two largest health insurance companies and for the last eight years has been self-employed as an independent broker working with businesses of all sizes. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 33 years.

Mulready has also led numerous efforts to reform the state’s insurance laws in his capacity as a state legislator. He was first elected to represent House District 68 as a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as a Majority Floor Leader.

State Rep. Glen Mulready files for Insurance Commissioner

Glen Mulready Files Statement of Organization for Insurance Commissioner

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Long-time insurance professional Glen Mulready filed a ‘Statement of Organization’ with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission over the weekend to form the Friends of Glen Mulready, 2018 campaign committee. The committee will support the Tulsa businessman’s 2018 campaign for Insurance Commissioner.

“I have spent my career creating insurance solutions for large and small businesses alike and after thoughtful and prayerful consideration with my wife, Sally, I have formed a campaign committee so that I may travel across the state talking to Oklahomans about how I can apply my experience to help safeguard them as their next Insurance Commissioner,” Mulready said.

Mulready spent 13 years on the executive teams of Oklahoma’s two largest health insurance companies and for the last eight years has been self-employed as an independent broker working with businesses of all sizes. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 33 years.

Mulready has also led numerous efforts to reform the state’s insurance laws in his capacity as a state legislator. He was first elected to represent House District 68 as a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Majority Floor Leader.

Vaughn Graham, President of Rich & Cartmill, will serve as the chair of Friends of Glen Mulready, 2018 and Gip Gibson, President of Commerce Bank, will serve as the Treasurer.

State House passes ObamaCare implementation measure amid false claims

The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted 51-34 to pass a bill that begins the implementation of a key portion of ObamaCare - an Oklahoma health insurance exchange. HB2130 is authored by House Speaker Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) and Senate President Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa), but was run on the House floor by freshman Rep. Glen Mulready (R-Tulsa). You can listen to the entire bill presentation and debate at this link.

The measure is funded using a $54 million grant from the federal government (HHS) given as part of the implementation of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) passed by Congress almost one year ago.

Keep in mind that Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly passed SQ756 last November, which was aimed at opposing ObamaCare, and that Attorney General Scott Pruitt has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state against the federal health care law.

Proponents have said over the past few months, and on the floor of the House, that this legislation was supported by the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn.

Those statements, however, were misleading, at best. State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee) told his colleagues that he had spoken with Sen. Coburn's office, and Dr. Coburn said that he "thinks this is a bad idea to use federal dollars to implement health exchanges" -- a point that Faught and Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow) reiterated during debate.

On OCPA's InterAlia blog, Jason Sutton had this to say:

Following Gov. Mary Fallin’s announcement a few weeks ago that Oklahoma would accept more than $54 million in federal funds to begin implementation of a health insurance exchange, I blogged about the “concept” of health insurance exchanges as a useful idea (absent Congressional effort to change the federal tax code) in a patient-centered, free-market health system.

It is important to add, however, that OCPA has never advocated acceptance of federal funds – especially federal funds that have to be printed or borrowed − to accomplish state goals that are not a “core” function of state government.

To be clear, OCPA believes the state should not use federal dollars to implement a health insurance exchange. [...]

Health insurance exchanges are not a bad idea, but Oklahoma should not be using federal dollars to implement such an exchange − particularly when the state could build an exchange for far less with no federal strings attached.

In a Facebook discussion, Sutton also said, "I have also had discussions with Dr. Coburn's staff (and have been in ongoing discussions with the health policy experts at both Cato and Heritage for the last two months) and Coburn's position is essentially ours (and Heritage's)......that is, he thinks OK should explore all options that could lead us to a more patient centered, free-market health system ( including exchanges), but should not be using federal funds to do so."

Supporters of HB2130 cherry-picked the positions of the prominent individuals and organizations in an effort to convince enough of their colleagues to support this bill. Evidently, it worked.

It did come out during the presentation that a "secondary" reason for this measure was to comply with the PPACA legislation. In fact, Rep. Mark McCullough (R-Sapulpa) said, "It could be considered pretty darn aggressive or clever for Oklahoma to take federal money to build an exchange built in opposition to the PPACA, while simultaneously suing the feds, telling them 'we don't want this.'"  That certainly is a creative, albeit flawed, method of action.

During debate, State Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC) said, "This is a clever method to deceive the voters; a way to disguise what you stand for."

Rep. Faught closed debate in opposition to the bill. "I can't believe I heard this. 'Take their money... let's sue them over it... then say we really don't want it.' Sounds like a word we ought to say: hypocrisy! Hypocrisy. [...] This money comes with strings attached." Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R-Moore) asked Faught if he agreed that Oklahoma should send the $54 million back to the federal government, and Faught replied, "I think we should throw it back in their face."

Speaker Steele said, "There's not a boogeyman in this bill."  Unfortunately, that is not the case, and enough Republican legislators were deceived into supporting HB2130. I was particularly disappointed that eleven freshmen Republicans voted for the bill, while only three voted against it.

I'll conclude with a quote from Rep. Faught's debate: "I would suggest, that this money comes with strings attached, and they may wind up and be the noose around our necks, and ultimately the future of our children."

Let's hope that the Republican members of the State Senate will put a stop to this misguided legislation.