Steve Fair for OKGOP National Committeeman

The delegates at the 2012 Oklahoma Republican State Convention tomorrow will be picking one of two men to serve as National Committeeman for Oklahoma, replacing retiring NCM James Dunn. The National Committeeman serves as one of three representatives for each state and territory on the Republican National Committee; the state Chairman and National Committeewoman are the other two members.

The two candidates are Richard Engle and Steve Fair. I know and respect both men, and they have both been very active and involved in their respective political circles. They are to be commended for their involvement, drive to advance conservatism, and willingness to offer their services on behalf of the state party for this office.

I am honored to endorse my friend, Steve Fair.

Steve currently serves as the 4th Congressional District Chairman and as Stephens County Chairman, and has an extensive background as a conservative party activist. He has been tremendously successful in building the party at the grassroots level in his area of the state, and has been helpful in developing and implementing strategies for other counties to use to grow their organization. He is also a very good writer, authoring weekly columns in numerous newspapers, and maintains a well-written blog.

There can be no doubt as to Steve's conservative credentials. His views on the issues place him with the most conservative of conservatives, and he is unafraid to espouse those views, no matter the controversy that may accompany it. He is a Christian first, a conservative second, and a Republican third, and that is as it should be.

Steve posted a summary of his campaign goals in a recent post on his blog: "The real issue is what will Steve Fair do if elected? First, I will be a conservative voice on the RNC. Second, I will work to build our county GOP organizations. Third, I will help educate the public on issues, and fourth, I will make building the foundation fun. Those that know me know I don't take myself very seriously, but I take the cause very seriously."

I could go on, but suffice it to say, for this position, I believe that Steve can be the most effective, productive and uniting. He is very serious and dedicated about growing the party and advancing conservatism, but does so in a way that is entertaining and fun. There is never a dull moment around Steve!

I encourage delegates to the State Convention to join me in supporting Steve Fair for National Committeeman.

(Fellow blogger Michael Bates has a great post endorsing Steve Fair - read it here)

McLarty Endorses Wagner for RNC Chair

RNC Chair candidate Ann Wagner (a former Missouri GOP chair, US Ambassador, and RNC Co-Chair) picked up an endorsement by the Oklahoma GOP's third RNC vote - National Committeewoman Carolyn McLarty on Sunday. OKGOP Chairman Matt Pinnell and National Committeeman James Dunn, the other two votes Oklahoma has, both endorsed Reince Priebus last week.

McLarty issued the following letter to RNC members, announcing her intent to support Wagner.

After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to commit my support to Ann Wagner for RNC Chairman. I believe she is the most completely qualified and capable candidate running.

Ann holds her conservative values dearly. She is right-on on the issues. She knows the dangers of letting our freedoms slip away to big government control. She observed this directly during her ambassador service in Europe. As a result, she has a deep-seated concern about the direction our country is going.

Ann has firsthand experience on the RNC as a member and as Co-Chair. She has the political and managerial experience of running the State Party and a statewide campaign in the powerful swing state of Missouri.

Ann Wagner has the diplomatic skills to be a persuasive spokesperson and professional representative for the Republican Party to the press, to the major donors, to the legislative leadership, and to the public.

Ann is a person that can be trusted to use our dollars wisely and efficiently. She can inspire the confidence of major donors and of Mom and Pop donors around the country.

The election of Ann Wagner as RNC Chairman will clearly demonstrate the RNC’s determination to recover from controversy, to unify, and to set a steady, forward course to Victory in 2012.

According to National Review's Hotline On Call blog, the race currently stands as follows: Reince Priebus is first (30 votes), Michael Steele in second (15 votes), Ann Wagner in third (12 votes), Saul Anuzis in fourth (10 votes), Maria Cino in fifth (6 votes). Over half of all RNC voting members are still uncommitted, so this could go to any of the current candidates.


You can visit Wagner's website here, and watch her announcement video below.

Pinnell, Dunn Endorse Reince Priebus for RNC Chair

Wisconsin GOP Chairman and RNC Chair candidate Reince Priebus picked up two of Oklahoma's three Republican National Committee votes, as State GOP Chairman Matt Pinnell and National Committeeman James Dunn endorsed Priebus.






State Chairman Matt Pinnell: "We have a number of qualified candidates for RNC Chair - but at the end of the day I was most comfortable with Reince's qualifications and vision for the RNC. Reince is a Young Gun GOP rising star, and represents the best and the future of this Party."





National Committeeman James Dunn: "Reince Priebus has consistently demonstrated his ability and desire to work with all Republicans with differing views to find the common ground required for the RNC to achieve victory in 2012.  Reince has a long history of leading his state party to record election victories and organizational fund raising while upholding the integrity and honor of Republican values.  His commitment to lead with a servant's heart convinces me that Reince Priebus is the right Republican for the 2012 campaign cycle as RNC Chairman."



Currently, National Committeewoman Carolyn McLarty is undeclared as to her support.

According to National Journal's Hotline On Call blog, Priebus leads the field of six candidates in public commitments thus far with 22. Current chairman Michael Steele is in second place with 12 commitments. It takes 85 votes to win the election; last time, it took six rounds of voting to whittle the candidates down enough for Michael Steele to emerge as victor.

Watch Priebus' YouTube candidacy announcement video here: