Bad idea: State House votes to roll back pension reforms, return to same bad system that got into trouble

It wasn't that long ago that the Oklahoma Legislature was faced with the reality of massive financial crisis with state employee retirement systems. We had some of the worst-funded state pension systems in the nation. Following the leadership of individuals like then-State Rep. Randy McDaniel, the Legislature took steps to remedy that situation.

This past week, however, the State House approved a measure by State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) that would take a dramatic step backward into the failed policy of the past. Frix has a history of pandering to government unions on this issue, and this vote coincides with the launch of his campaign for Congress.

When a previous bill of Frix's came up in 2020 which raided pension assets for a transparently political election-year state workers' retirement boost, State Sen. Marty Quinn (R-Claremore), who is also running for the same congressional seat as Frix, had this to say:

Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, said he was “not going to crawl under a rock and ignore the financial mistakes that continue to be made by this body and other bodies so that people can ‘like’ me.”

“Why are we taking the same financial destructive path of previous administrations?” Quinn asked. “You know what I’m talking about. A system that was one of the fifth-worst systems in the entire United States, almost $16 billion underfunded, giving away COLAs in election years. We’re doing the same thing. Just a different group of people.”

More on the bill:

HOUSE VOTES TO ROLL BACK OKLAHOMA PENSION REFORMS
by Ray Carter, Center for Independent Journalism

House lawmakers voted to roll back a 2014 pension reform that was projected to save taxpayers $3.8 billion over 30 years and instead provide state workers retirement benefits that are not available to the typical private-sector worker in Oklahoma.

House Bill 2486, by state Rep. Avery Frix, eliminates a defined-contribution retirement plan, similar to a 401(k) plan in the private sector, and instead places most state government workers in a defined-benefit plan.

In a defined-benefit plan, state government employees receive a guaranteed, specified amount in retirement payments, while in a defined-contribution plan they contribute and invest in funds over time to save for retirement.

Lawmakers voted in 2014 to shift all new state government employees (aside from teachers or those working in hazardous positions, such as police and firefighters) into a 401(k)-style retirement plan. That law was authored by current Oklahoma State Treasurer Randy McDaniel, who then served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

When she signed the reform into law, then-Gov. Mary Fallin noted, “The system as it stands today is not financially sound or sustainable. Moving future hires to a 401(k)-style system helps to ensure we can pay our current retirees and employees the benefits they have already earned.”

In a 2014 interview, McDaniel said the cost of defined-contribution plans is predictable for state government, and also noted that defined-benefit plans involve moral hazard that causes politicians to rapidly inflate the system’s unfunded liability by increasing benefits without covering the cost.

“An issue that is overlooked in the mathematical data is the issue of political incentives to harm the system by making unsustainable financial promises,” McDaniel said. “Unfortunately, those incentives are real, and they greatly impact the situation we face today. It’s easy to make promises when someone else is going to have to pay for those promises at some point in the future.”

State Rep. Todd Russ announces campaign for State Treasurer

Todd Russ Announces 2022 Campaign for State Treasurer

(June 29th) State Representative Todd Russ announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for State Treasurer next year. Russ is completing his sixth term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced earlier this month he would not seek reelection.

“I am grateful for the leadership opportunities I have been given and the accomplishments during my time in the legislature.I believe my extensive background in banking and business, along with my understanding of the inner workings of state government, make me uniquely qualified to serve as Treasurer,” Russ said.

“It would be my honor to continue to serve the citizens of Oklahoma as their next State Treasurer. I hold the same conservative values as the vast majority of Oklahomans. I know the value of hard work and the importance of standing for Godly values and honest, ethical leadership,” Russ added.

Robert McMaster announces candidacy for HD83

Republicans are hoping to re-take House District 83 this election, the seat that was held by now-State Treasurer Randy McDaniel for twelve years (2006 to 2018). Democrat Chelsey Branham won the 2018 election, defeating Republican Jason Reese by a vote of 52.2% to 47.8% (a difference of 689 votes).

Current GOP candidates are Eric Roberts and Robert McMaster, who submitted the following announcement release:

“A Fresh Face for Real Change”

Political Newcomer Robert McMaster announces his candidacy for State Representative in Oklahoma House District 83.  House District 83 includes parts of Edmond, NW Oklahoma City, The Village and Nichols Hills and is currently represented by Chelsey Branham, Democrat, who narrowly won in 2018.

As a father of four and a blue-collar worker, Robert McMaster knows what issues matter most and uses his education and experience to propose new real change.  His platform of Healthcare, Education and Criminal Justice Reform looks to create a prosperous and safe Oklahoma.  He also stands for Free Speech, Lower Taxes and 2A rights, which is a staunch difference from Ms. Branham.  Unlike Ms. Branham, Robert McMaster stands against socialism and big government programs as they infringe on individual rights and increase taxes.

Originally from MS, Robert McMaster moved to OK in 2013 and worked as a retail manager.  After meeting his wife and growing their blended family, he became an In-House Investigator with a prestigious criminal defense firm in Oklahoma City in 2016.  Since then, Robert has worked hard to protect the rights of his fellow Oklahomans and his work has assisted in a multitude of favorable outcomes for clients.  He is an Eagle Scout as well as a member of the Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association, Masonic Lodge, and other organizations.

To donate or join his grassroots campaign, check out his website at https://www.robertmcmasterforhd83.com or other social media sites at Robert for HD 83 in 2020.

Gov. Stitt launches 'Oklahoma Checkbook', putting easy online access to state spending

GOVERNOR STITT LAUNCHES OKLAHOMA CHECKBOOK ENSURING EASY ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT’S SPENDING LEDGER

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 12, 2019) — Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the launch of Oklahoma Checkbook, fulfilling a campaign promise to provide Oklahomans with an easy-to-navigate site so they can understand how their taxpayer dollars are being spent. The interactive website, which provides near real time data on the state’s expenses, ensures citizens can quickly and easily review the state’s ledger, providing a greater means of accountability and transparency.

“Since day one I have said we need to put our state government checkbook online so the people of Oklahoma can hold their agencies and elected officials accountable,” said Stitt. “Oklahoma Checkbook creates a level of accountability and transparency within Oklahoma’s government that is unprecedented. I look forward to seeing how this user friendly tool helps keep us on track to becoming a top ten state in budget transparency.” 

Oklahoma Checkbook can be accessed at checkbook.ok.gov. The initiative is a partnership between the Stitt Administration and the Office of the State Treasurer.

“Today we are opening a window to let the light shine brightly on state government spending,” State Treasurer Randy McDaniel said. “The use of taxpayer funds should be transparent and readily available. I’m honored to work with Governor Stitt and his leadership team to improve openness and accountability in state government. “

The site is built on extensive datasets. Users can visualize the data using the interactive features and dive into the details of each expense down to the transaction level. It is powered by OpenGov, the leading cloud-based solution for government budgeting, performance, and communications.

“Oklahoma Checkbook will shine a bright light on our financial records and uncover potential accounting errors in state government,” said Sec. Ostrowe. “The interactive website will provide Oklahomans with much-needed transparency and help the agency heads and elected officials, charged with keeping our financial house in order, make more efficient and effective decisions.”

About OpenGov
OpenGov is the leader in cloud-based solutions for government. The OpenGov Cloud™ is the only integrated cloud solution for budgeting, performance, communications and reporting. This multi-tenant Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") solution connects stakeholders to the budget process, engages them for real-time feedback, accurately forecasts personnel costs, and integrates with key government systems, resulting in improved outcomes, enhanced internal efficiencies, and more time for strategic planning.

Over 2,000 public agencies use OpenGov -- including the State of Ohio; the City of Richmond, VA; and Minneapolis, MN. OpenGov was founded in 2012, and is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Emerson Collective, 8VC, and Thrive Capital.

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.

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

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%

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%

Paul Cason Announces Candidacy for HD83

Paul Cason Announces Candidacy for House 83

Paul Cason announced today that he will be a legislative candidate for the Republican
nomination in House District 83.

“Oklahoma is facing tough times, and it is crucial that we have principled conservative leaders in office to guide our government,” Cason said. “As an attorney who works with businesses every day, I have helped Oklahomans overcome tough legal issues. As a lawmaker, I will use that same expertise to guide policy decisions.”

District incumbent Randy McDaniel, a Republican, is leaving office due to term limits. “It is time to stop talking about the major issues confronting Oklahoma and start working toward achieving some tangible results,” Cason said.

Cason has long been active in Republican politics, having served as a staff assistant to U.S. Sen. James Inhofe and as a field director in Alaska for the Republican National Committee during the 2014 election cycle. Cason interned in 2013 with then-Congressman James Lankford.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue University where he studied History and Political Science. While at Purdue, Cason was involved in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and held several leadership roles. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Cason is currently a partner with the Rosell Law Group, focusing on business and estate issues.

“To grow Oklahoma’s economy and create jobs, we need to elect legislators who understand how rules and regulations impact the private sector,” Cason said. “My mission as State Representative will be to focus Oklahoma government on its core duties and otherwise streamline and eliminate regulation whenever possible.”

Cason, 32, serves on the Infant Crisis Services Young Professionals Board. He attends All Souls Episcopal Church.

State Sen. Fields files for LtGov, State Rep. McDaniel for Treasurer

Following State Rep. Mulready announcing his candidacy for Insurance Commissioner, I decided to take a look and see if anybody new had indicated their intent to run for other statewide offices. Sure enough, there were some new names. While no official announcements have been made to my knowledge, two more state legislators recently filed Statements of Organization with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for statewide offices in the 2018 election.

On the 28th, State Sen. Eddie Fields (R-Wynona) filed paperwork for a Lieutenant Governor campaign, joining fellow Republicans Matt Pinnell and Dominique Block.

State Rep. Randy McDaniel (R-OKC) filed his statement of candidacy for State Treasurer on the 13th.

With every statewide seat up for grabs due to term-limits (minus the State Superintendent and Corporation Commission), expect more state legislators to throw their hats in the ring for the various offices.

Jason Reese launches campaign for HD83

Jason Reese Launches Campaign for House District 83

Oklahoma City, OK – Yesterday, conservative Jason Reese announced his candidacy for the Oklahoma House of Representatives at an event in Quail Creek. The well-attended event was headlined by former Governor Frank Keating. Jason Reese, a Republican, is running for House District 83, in which Representative Randy McDaniel is term-limited in 2018.

“It’s an incredible honor to receive support from my friends and neighbors. I’m ready to take on the challenge of serving them in our state legislature as we work through these difficult times,” Reese said.

“Oklahoma desperately needs leadership at the state capitol. I believe I can provide the principled, conservative leadership necessary to strengthen our communities, promote practical solutions for our state, and expand opportunity for all Oklahomans.”  He went on to state that in office he would focus on “honoring the contribution of skilled labor to the broader prosperity of Oklahoma.”

Jason is an attorney focusing in employment law in Oklahoma City. Having worked his way through the University of Oklahoma via part-time jobs and scholarships, Jason later enlisted in the Navy Reserve following 9/11. Jason and his wife Jessica attend Christ the King Church with their four children where he is active in the community. Jason serves on the board of the Quail Creek Homeowner’s Association as well as Cristo Rey Catholic High School, a school for underprivileged teens.