CD2 runoff: James Dobson endorses Josh Brecheen

Conservative champion Josh Brecheen has received yet another endorsement in the 2nd Congressional District GOP runoff election. Since the primary, he has received the support of fellow candidates John Bennett (4th place with 11.3%), Marty Quinn (6th place with 7.3%), Wes Nofire (7th place with 6.2%), and David Derby (8th place with 5.5%). 

Joining those in endorsing Brecheen is world-renowned Christian author and the founder of Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson.

CD2 runoff: John Bennett endorses Josh Brecheen

As I posted yesterday, the 14-member GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District ended with State Rep. Avery Frix and former State Senator and Coburn staffer Josh Brecheen squeeking by into the runoff, with 14.74% and 13.75%, respectively.

Since the end of the runoff, Brecheen has been endorsed by several of the candidates who did not make the runoff, including Marty Quinn (which I posted yesterday). Today, here is the endorsement by former State Rep. and ex-OKGOP chairman John Bennett, who placed fourth with 11.33% of the vote:

"He should resign": Bennett faces criticism among CD2 GOP officials

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman John Bennett has broken with traditional practices of the party office, endorsing multiple candidates for office (most prominently Jackson Lahmeyer against U.S. Sen. James Lankford), and is now running for Congress. Indications from his OKGOP staff, some of whom appear to be doing double duty on his congressional campaign, are that he has no intention to step down as chairman until at least after candidate filing.

For comparison, in 2006 and 2010, then-OKGOP chairman Gary Jones resigned within days of announcing his candidacy for State Auditor to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest (in 2010, he filed on Wednesday and resigned on Monday).

State Party rules are silent on the issue of party officials endorsing in primaries or running for public office while holding party positions. Bennett's decision to do both has broken no rules. However, there are many party activists who find both actions to be inappropriate for a state chairman to do. I've heard from some of those individuals, and decided to reach out to party officials within the 2nd Congressional District to see how widespread that sentiment was.

Based off some of the input I had already received, I asked the following questions of the county central committee (chair, vice chair, two state committee members) of each county Republican Party in the 2nd District:

1. Do you think John Bennett should stay on as state chair while running for Congress, or should he resign? 
2. Should state party rules be amended to require a state chair or vice chair to resign if running for state or federal elected office?

I received responses from up and down the now-28 county district. I am keeping respondents anonymous in order for them to feel free to speak their mind on this issue. The results were interesting and a learning opportunity. 

State Rep. Jim Olsen endorses Bennett for Congress

State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Sallisaw) has endorsed his State House predecessor John Bennett for the Congressional District 2 seat being vacated by Congressman Markwayne Mullin, who in turn is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jim Inhofe.

Bennett held the State House District 2 seat from 2010 to 2018, and helped Olsen get in office as his replacement. Olsen was unopposed in 2020. Bennett is the current chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, and one of six announced Republican candidates so far.

Here is Olsen's endorsement:

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.

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.

NRA, OK2A endorse Jim Olsen in OK House District 2

NRA and Oklahoma Second Amendment Association Endorse Candidate Jim Olsen as the Gun Rights Advocate for Oklahoma State Rep, District 2

Roland, OK— Both of the pre-eminent gun rights advocacy organizations in the nation published their findings that Republican Jim Olsen is the gun rights advocate on the November 6 ballot for the open Oklahoma State House District 2 seat. In spite of the recent attempt by Democrat nominee Stites to mask his agenda with an offer of a gun shooting show, the NRA released a big question mark on how Stites would actually vote if he was given the opportunity in the state legislature to uphold or deny our constitutional right. The ‘?’ rating is defined by the NRA on the www.nrapvf.org website: “A rating of ‘?’ often indicates indifference, if not outright hostility, to gun owners' and sportsmen's rights.”

Oklahoma Second Amendment Association issued a less than impressive ‘C’ rating to the Democrat nominee Stites. Don Spencer, President of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association said, “Mr. Stites received a ‘C’ rating from his OK2A Candidate Survey while Mr. Jim Olsen received an ‘A’ and our endorsement. Jim Olsen was an easy endorsement to make. The survey is not based on how many guns a candidate has, or how good a marksman, but on whether they will defend liberty.”

While Olsen could have shown his own Oklahoma handgun license, guns, and shooting skills in response to the recent comical effort by Mr. Stites, Jim Olsen recognizes that the freedom and liberty to exercise the  2nd Amendment is a serious issue. Olsen instead followed the appropriate action of sharing his beliefs and awaiting leading experts in Constitutional gun rights advocacy to review the qualifications and convictions of the two candidates to determine who would better champion the Constitutional rights of the people to “keep and bear arms.”

Jim Olsen is thankful for the thorough review, and the endorsements and top grades awarded to him by both the NRA and OK2A. “I firmly believe the creation of the Second Amendment was clear and I will follow the path the Founders intended: the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Just as with all constitutional rights, my constituents can be assured that I will champion the Second Amendment in my legislative actions,” Olsen said.

The general election for the open Oklahoma State House District 2 seat will be held on November 6, 2018.

HD2 Democrat candidate issues childish gun challenge

Tom Stites, Democrat candidate in State House District 2, has challenged his Republican opponent Jim Olsen to a shooting match to determine who is more qualified to be the next state representative and protect gun rights.

As if one's accuracy with a firearm determines their ability to perform as a legislator -- or is any indication of the strength of their support for protecting the Second Amendment.

This is pandering, plain and simple, and an attempt to cover for his association with an extreme liberal party. Stites may well support the Second Amendment, and evidently he is an accomplished shooter, but his political party of choice seeks to curtail those constitutional freedoms. In fact, the gubernatorial nominee of Stites' own party is on record this year calling for new gun control measures and opposing constitutional carry legislation.

Stites made the challenge via video, and apparently through newspaper ads as well:


In an article by the Tulsa World, Olsen responded to this childish challenge by saying, "We are not running to be the sniper of Sequoyah County, but we are running for state representative. I may not hit a bull’s-eye every time with a gun, but when it comes to defending our Second Amendment rights, I am always dead center and that is why the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association has endorsed me."

HD2 is currently held by John Bennett (R-Sallisaw); Bennet did not file for reelection, thus the seat is open.

Jim Olsen running for State House District 2

Jim Olsen Announces Candidacy for State Representative

Small Business Owner and Realtor Jim Olsen filed candidacy papers to run for State House District 2, to replace outgoing State Representative John Bennett. Olsen, a conservative Republican, will be on the November 6th ballot to represent Sequoyah County residents.

Jim Olsen has a diverse business background from developing trade skills in farm and factory jobs, to working his way up to operations management and business ownership. This experience has given him a broad understanding of challenges facing Oklahoma small business operators, which account for 97% of Oklahoma businesses open today.

Olsen's business acumen developed from a strong interest in learning, which positioned him to excel in studies and graduate from the State University of New York (SUNY) in Albany, with a degree in Business. Olsen also pursued additional courses of study, including Spanish language courses, Theology, and Liberal Arts studies. He has an additional interest in Constitutional Law, studying the Founder's Intent as they were wiling to sacrifice fortune and self for the potential of freedom to flourish. Those rights and freedoms carefully handed down from generation to generation are to be treasured, defended, and upheld in legislation and in leadership today.

As a businessman and avid researcher of history, Jim Olsen knows that country after country has proven that prosperity does not come as a result of taxation. As Oklahoma's economy is largely dependent on oil & gas, agriculture, and small businesses, we must do all we can to encourage more business opportunities to come to Oklahoma and broaden job opportunities and increased wage potential for Oklahomans.

Jim Olsen also has a strong commitment to education, with one daughter a certified teacher, and a second daughter serving as a teacher's assistant, both at Brushy Public School. He believes, as the Bible states, that workers are worthy of their hire. We must continue to advocate for money to reach the classroom and improve education outcomes and state rankings. In order for our children to be ready for 21st century job opportunities, we must insist on a strong foundation of quality education.

He also believes that government is not in existence to be the answer for all needs.  A standard of belief and following the commandments of the Bible shows that first and foremost, one is responsible for their own actions. His intent in service is to work for the people, balance the budget, defend the Constitution, and advance responsible legislation that puts the state back on track to manage core government services. Government's role should, just as importantly, seek to roll back its overreach and involvement in unnecessary pursuits that do nothing but damage the free market and limit innovation and ingenuity.

Jim Olsen operates from a core set of beliefs, based on Biblical principles. These values include: the protection of innocent and unborn life, support for traditional marriage, defending the Second Amendment, insisting on fiscal responsibility and audits to ensure that a manageable budget is created, advance local control of education and higher pay for teachers in a sustainable and fiscally responsible way, support the Rule of Law and fight against sanctuary cities, and fight against bureaucratic overreach and excessive regulations to encourage businesses to open, and stay open, in our community.

A committed Christian, Jim Olsen also serves as a Sunday School teacher at Watts Holiness Church in Sallisaw, OK. He and his wife Becky are parents to seven, three son-in-laws added to the family, and they are blessed with three grandchildren.

For more information, please visit facebook.com/olsenforok.

Rep. John Bennett Announces He Will Not Seek Re-election

Rep. John Bennett Announces He Will Not Seek Re-election

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw, released the following statement Friday announcing he will not seek re-election for House District 2.

“I have been called to a life of service. In that service I have learned many things, grown at many levels, and it has required great personal sacrifice to me and my family. I have given 21 years of my life as a United States Marine, and I have had the pleasure and honor to serve with so many great Americans who have answered that same call. I have been honored to serve as the representative of the people of House District 2, for four terms. I felt I was called to serve and that is what I have done. I stood for what was right, sometimes all alone, but I never wavered. I kept my word and fought for Biblical principles, Constitutional principles, and the people.  The word of God tells us there is a season for everything; my season here has come to an end, and I look forward to my new season. I have fought for my constituents, and now it is time I fight for my family and give them the time they deserve. My family has never wavered and they have made tremendous sacrifices, especially emotionally. My service has come at a great personal price to myself and my family. I have fought the good fight and can proudly say that no matter what the cost I stood strong, but I can no longer ask my family to endure the hardships that come with this job. It is time for me to stand strong for them now. As my 10-year-old son said, “Daddy it’s time to come home;” I’m going home. I feel the Lord is calling me to a new season in my life, and I humbly welcome it. I will be continuing in the Lord’s ministry, prioritizing my wife and kids, and transitioning back into the private work force. It has truly been an honor to serve the people of District 2. I truly appreciate the great honor to serve you. Thank you!”

Bennett was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011. He currently serves as the chairman of the House Appropriations & Budget Public Safety Subcommittee and as a member of the Appropriations & Budget, Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget, Veterans and Military Affairs and Wildlife committees. He also served on the House Special Investigation Committee, which investigated reports of wrongdoing at several state agencies.

Coburn Joins Conservative Legislators in Proposing State Budget Reforms

Coburn Joins Conservative Legislators in Proposing State Budget Reforms

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several conservative Republican State Representatives today joined with former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn in proposing a path to a teacher pay raise without a tax increase.  The statement is below.

We appreciate the members of Step Up Oklahoma for their civic leadership in addressing the issue of balancing our state budget, raising teacher pay and reforming state government processes. We share their goals. We want to provide teachers a $5,000 pay raise and are confident there will be a permanent teacher pay raise this year with or without a tax increase. We also must balance our budget, which will also happen with or without a tax increase. And, we agree with reforming state government to cut out wasteful spending.

We agree with most of the means chosen by Step Up Oklahoma to accomplish these goals: cutting wasteful subsidies to industrial wind companies; allowing the governor to appoint agency directors, and several of the other ideas furthered by Step Up Oklahoma.

We also believe that the people of Oklahoma are rightly suspicious of state government.  The Health Department scandal shows that there still is a great deal of wasteful spending, “bloat” and “mission creep,” and even corruption in state spending.

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) has over 1,200 employees who are supposed to catch such wasteful spending and root it out, but they failed.  Recently, the whistleblower in the Health Department scandal accused former OMES Director and Gov. Fallin’s Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger of grand jury tampering and witness intimidation. If this is how the head of OMES treats whistleblowers, it begs the question:  how many other whistleblowers have been discouraged from bringing wasteful spending to light?

Before raising taxes on Oklahomans, we must make sure state government is spending current tax money wisely, with real performance audits.  But a bill to empower the State Auditor’s Office to conduct real performance audits on agencies was vetoed by Gov. Fallin at Doerflinger’s request.

There are many ways to balance the budget and give teachers a $5,000 pay raise, the combined cost of which is about $760 million. Just last Thursday, it was announced that state revenue is up $812.5 million over last year due to the improving economy.

Moreover, a bill held over from last year, for Medicaid audits, would remove people no longer eligible for Medicaid in Oklahoma.  This one bill would generate savings of at least $86 million, and as Arkansas’ recent experience shows, more likely up to $240 million, which savings could be applied to more efficient uses in our budget.

Cutting out corporate welfare subsidies to the wind industry, often owned by foreign companies, could generate up to $172 million annually.

Using existing funds from the Commissioners of the Land Office could also provide additional millions for a teacher pay raise, without reducing any current payments to school districts and without dipping into the current principal corpus of the School Land Trust.

The Legislature could right now afford the $760 million needed for a $5,000 teacher pay raise and balance the budget without a tax increase.

And there’s more. For each $1 allowed in the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit, $2.58 is generated for scholarships and $1.24 is saved for the state budget, due to leveraging private donations for education. We should increase the current cap on such scholarship credits.

Up to $95 million of annual revenue from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is currently used on such wasteful things such as ads for smoke-free strip clubs and drag shows, and billboards against soda pop. These funds could be rerouted to more efficient uses, also.  This reform would require a vote of the people.

School districts could be allowed flexibility to use any part of their property tax revenue on teacher pay if they wished, instead of being restricted to current uses such as buildings. This reform also would require a vote of the people.

Administration costs in our state’s colleges are 70 percent higher than the national average. Reducing such administrative costs to the national average would save the state over $300 million per year.  Currently, legislators are prohibited from making such line-item appropriations to the Regents for Higher Education.  A vote of the people would be required to allow line-items on the Regents’ budget.

There are many ways to reform our education system to make sure more of our tax dollars are going to teacher pay, rather than to excessive administration and other non-teacher costs.

Bills on all these topics have been introduced this session, but are awaiting committee hearings.

“For too long, bureaucrats have grown Oklahoma state government without being audited.  The sensible reforms offered here will help raise teacher pay and right-size Oklahoma’s government without a tax increase.  Medicaid audits, eliminating corporate wind subsidies, TSET reform, and better use of funds from the Commissioners of the Land Office are common-sense proposals that are long overdue,” Coburn said.

Let’s demand performance audits on the agencies and schools and cut out the waste before we increase taxes. We can still give a $5000 pay raise to teachers and balance the budget in the meantime.

Republican Lawmakers who are a part of this plan include:

Rep. Kevin Calvey
Rep. Scott McEachin
Rep. Bobby Cleveland
Rep. Kevin West
Rep. John Bennett
Rep. George Faught
Rep. Tom Gann
Rep. Rick West
Rep. Jeff Coody
Rep. Mike Ritze

Platform Caucus comments on failure of Step Up plan, propose alternatives

OK Republican Platform Caucus Comments on 
Failure of Step Up Oklahoma Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, the Oklahoma State Legislature said NO to one of the largest tax increases in Oklahoma history – a tax plan proposed by the Oklahoma Step Up Coalition. This tax increase was being advertised as the only way to pay for a classroom teacher pay raise; a statement that simply is not true.  There are other options.

The bills proposed by Step Up Oklahoma represent the largest tax increase in over a generation – taking approximately $704 million dollars from the pockets of hard-working Oklahoma taxpayers to fund a $280 million teacher pay raise plus $424 million worth of projects for special interests and government agencies.

When President Trump pushed through the massive tax reform package less than two months ago, the result was an immediate economic resurgence as businesses and individuals realized they would have more money to invest and spend.

Step Up Oklahoma does Just the opposite of the Trump plan. While the coalition originally proposed a variety of free-market reforms, many were dropped in an effort to build a broader coalition.

The bills raise taxes through what Dr. Tom Coburn referred to as sham income tax reforms* that:

• $41 mil  Increase the Standard Deduction Every Time you File Your Taxes April 15
• $101 mil  Limit/Reduce the Itemized Deduction every April 15
• $133 mil  Increase the Gross Production Tax
• $173 mil  Gas and Diesel Fuel Tax
• $256 mil  Tobacco Tax

It is estimated that Oklahoma could benefit from the Trump tax cuts by approximately $2.3 billion. It is unfortunate that lawmakers and special interests are so quick to try and grab that money.

Our economy is finally recovering from the devastating crash in oil and natural gas that began in 2014 and continued into 2016. As oil prices have begun to recover, revenues to the state have been up dramatically over past months.  Next week the Governor’s office reports how much money we will be able to appropriate for this coming year – these are called the ‘certified funds.’  We expect the certified funds to be up significantly compared to a year ago meaning that it makes no sense to pass a massive tax increase one week before we learn we have a budget surplus.

While the OK Republican Platform Caucus has taken a strong position against government waste and tax increases, we have been diligent to work for almost a year to find ways to balance the budget, promote government reform, fund core services and pay for a classroom teacher pay raise.

Some of these ideas include:

1. Classroom Teacher Pay Raise – The CLO (Commission Land Office) has a current balance of $2.4 billion in assets and generated $322 million in 2017. This income stream would more than cover a teacher pay raise.
2. Medicaid Audits (Arkansas recently audited Medicaid recipients and found 80,000 recipients no longer eligible to receive services. Similar audits in Oklahoma could save approximately $240 million per year. )
3. TSET Reform – The tobacco endowment is currently valued at $1.3 billion. Income from this endowment is approximately $50 million per year and ongoing settlement funds from the tobacco companies are approximately $40 million. We propose using this $40 million to fund direct residency programs for our teaching hospitals.
4. SWAG – the Oklahoma state agencies spend approximately $40 million on promotional throw away items.
5. Agency Audits
6. We do not support the repeal / modification of State Question 640.

Members supporting this press release include:

Rep. Chuck Strohm
Rep. Sean Roberts
Rep. George Faught
Rep. John Bennett
Rep. Rick West
Rep. Jeff Coody
Rep. Tom Gann
Rep. Scott McEachin3

*Reference to an op-ed written by Dr. Tom Coburn in The Oklahoman titled “In Oklahoma, treat the cause of the problem.”

Bennett, Sanders Comment on OTA funding Trooper Academy

Bennett, Sanders Comment on Trooper Academy

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Department of Public Safety today announced it will hold an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy early next year thanks to funding from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

The announcement was made at the state Capitol during a news conference.

“I’d like to thank the Turnpike Authority and Director Tim Gatz for making this happen,” said House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher. “I also appreciate House leadership and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Thompson for helping to facilitate this arrangement.”

“One of the top priorities of state government is protecting our citizens,” said Sanders. “The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was unable to fund an academy this year to hire new troopers. Currently, 790 troopers protect more than 112,000 miles of Oklahoma roads. Having new troopers on our roads will help keep Oklahomans safe.”

State Rep. John Bennett, the chair of the House Public Safety Committee, echoed the thanks to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for the $5 million that will fund up to 30 recruits for the next trooper academy. The money will fund the academy, future training, equipment, salary and benefits for the troopers for a year.

“I want to thank the Turnpike Authority for working with us when we are in dire need of a trooper academy to help keep our highways and turnpikes safe.

Bennett recalled a story from Pres. Ronald Reagan in which he asked people to imagine a thin blue line separating people and all of the things they love and hold dear from all of the things that threaten harm.

“These boys in brown are part of that thin blue line that keeps all the bad things from getting to all of the good things we enjoy in life,” said Bennett, R-Sallisaw.

Lawmakers Announce Republican Platform Caucus

Lawmakers Announce Republican Platform Caucus

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Reps. Sean Roberts and Chuck Strohm, along with other lawmakers today announced the formation of a new caucus whose core principles are focused on upholding the values outlined in the Oklahoma Republican Party (OKGOP) Platform.

“Every election day, people cast their vote for someone because they believe the person campaigning stands for a set of values consistent with their beliefs, and they expect that person to keep their campaign promises once elected” said Strohm, R-Jenks.

“The thing voters across our state and nation struggle with is simply: why does a person campaign on one set of ideals yet when they vote, their votes reflect a separate set of ideals,” said state Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw.

To address this concern raised by so many voters, this caucus was formed with the following objectives:

1. Honor God as we serve the people of Oklahoma;
2. Represent the principles we were elected on, the Republican Platform;
3. Educate members about how a bill relates to the platform;
4. Provide a UNIFIED Republican voice;
5. Hold each other accountable to the values supported by the majority of Oklahomans;
6. Support policies reflected in the Republican Platform and oppose policies that are contrary to the platform.

“Some say the platform is too long, but really its’ depth is a reflection of decades of hard work by those at the grassroots level,” said Rep. Roberts, R-Hominy. “Truly, the values and policies in our platform represent what it means to be a Republican. Our goal is to represent the values on which we were elected.”

“When members discuss how policy or budgetary decisions relate to the platform, new members will have the opportunity to learn from more seasoned legislators,” said state Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee. “It also helps us hold each other accountable, making us better representatives of the people we serve.”

“As someone who has tremendous respect for the U.S. Constitution, it is an honor to serve with others who hold our founding documents in such high regard,” said state Rep. Jeff Coody R-Grandfield.

“We will continue meeting from now until the end of session to address policy and budgetary issues that arise.”

Wisconsin-in-Oklahoma: AWOL OK House members

For the first time since the 1990's* last March, the Oklahoma House of Representatives issued the Call of the House, to force absent members into the chamber for a vote.

During the vote on the emergency clause for Speaker Kris Steele's HB2139, which expanded the State Superintendent's authority and limited that of the State Board of Education (in response to the controversy over State Superintendent Janet Barresi's first school board meeting), several House members appeared to be purposefully absent. That's when State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-OKC) invoked House Rule 10.5, or the 'Call of the House'.

The procedural motion gives the House sergeant-at-arms the authority to "compel the attendance of the absent members."

After a roll call, the doors to the House chamber were locked, and the House sergeants began the search for missing Reps. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw), Mike Christian (R-OKC), Charles Key (R-OKC), Mike Reynolds (R-OKC), Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow) and Randy Terrill (R-Moore).

Peter J. Rudy of Oklahoma Watchdog has more on the story here, including the missing members on the second roll call.

UPDATE: Rudy got a response from Rep. Randy Terrill, one of the AWOL members. Read it here.
* - thanks to the commenter who pointed out that the Call of the House was issued on March 11th, 2010.

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.

Coburn Endorses Kuester for DA, Bennett for State House

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-Muskogee) has endorsed two more Oklahoma candidates.

John Bennett, State House District 2 (Sallisaw area):

Oklahoma needs leaders at the State Capitol who will work to reduce government waste, pass meaningful tort reform and hold all politicians and bureaucrats accountable to taxpayers. I hope the voters of House District 2 will elect John Bennett on November 2.

Brian Kuester, District Attorney District 27 (Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties):

Dear Citizens of District 27,

Right now, there is an important battle taking place in eastern Oklahoma. Brian Kuester, of Wagoner County, is running for district attorney in District 27, which consists of Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties.

The citizens residing in District 27 need a DA they can trust to prosecute dangerous criminals. They need to have confidence in the rule of law and the DA again. Brian Kuester is the man for that job.

Brian graduated from TU Law School with high honors, is heavily involved with his church, and has served as both a police officer and an assistant DA where he prosecuted dangerous criminals. He is well prepared for the job ahead and eager to return justice to the citizens of District 27.

We don’t just need another DA for these four counties. We need a new kind of DA. One who has a moral foundation, who lives out his beliefs, and who will use the office for the public’s good.

I offer Brian Kuester my full support and endorsement for DA. I hope that you will join me.

Dr. Tom Coburn

Bennett and Kuester join the coveted "club" of Coburn-endorsed candidates, some of whom are listed in this post.