Brief Blogging Bullets

Blogging has been on partial-hold due to vacation, so here are some brief blogging bullets to catch up on some of what's happened in the week or so.

• Democrats won both special elections on Tuesday, July 11th:
• Democrat Michael Brooks defeated Republican Joe Griffin in SD44 by a vote of 54.6% to 45.4%. The district has a Republican District Rating of 49.6 (30th most-Republican/18th most-Democrat; 11 GOP-held seats have lower scores, 1 Democrat seat has a higher score), and combining past history with the tremendous baggage of ex-Sen. Ralph Shortey's scandal means this outcome wasn't exactly shocking.
• Democrat Karen Gaddis defeated Republican Tressa Nunley in HD75 by a vote of 52.3% to 47.7%. The district has a Republican District Rating of 56.3 (40th most-Republican/61st most-Democrat), making this the most Republican State House seat held by Democrats. Gaddis' victory caught many people by surprise, but again, this special election was the result of another scandal. The Democrats have an unbeaten record in recent years in scandal-caused special elections, but will it translate into more widespread victories in the regularly-scheduled general election? Only time will tell.
• Edmond education activist and self-described Republican Angela Clark Little "joined with former Gov. David Walters and a who's who of Democratic luminaries to help raise money for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson."
• Tulsa businessman Kevin Stitt has joined the GOP race for Governor. Stitt is the founder and CEO of Gateway Mortgage Group.
• State Rep. Leslie Osborn was replaced as A&B Chair by Speaker McCall today. A&B Vice-Chair Kevin Wallace will be the new budget chairman. Ironically and rather bizarrely, Democrat leaders are speaking out in support of Osborn.
• A new Oklahoma Republican political consulting firm has launched - Tomahawk Strategies principals include former AFP-OK director and Trump campaign leader Stuart Jolley.
• State Rep. John Michael Montgomery is running for SD32, the lone Democrat-held seat west of I-35 (open seat in 2018 due to term limits)
• Lieut. Governor candidate Matt Pinnell raised over $300k in his first ten weeks as a candidate, including donations from all 50 states.

Special Election: Nunley advances in HD75, Taylor holds HD28 for GOP

Results are in from today's special elections in HD28 and HD75, and it's good news for the GOP for once.

Republican Zack Taylor won the special election in HD28 to replace former Rep. Tom Newell, who resigned in early December to take a new job. Taylor received 50.48% of the vote, holding the seat for the Republican Party.

In HD75, Republican Tressa Nunley easily dispatched her three primary opponents, receiving 64.08% of the vote, and will face Democrat Karen Gaddis in the July 11th general election. This seat became vacant with the February resignation of former Rep. Dan Kirby, who left under a cloud of possible sexual harassment.

Taylor's victory in HD28 breaks a streak of GOP losses in special elections dating back to April 30th, 2015, when Democrat Kevin Matthews won the SD11 special election (no Republican filed). After that, Democrats won special elections in HD73 (no Republican filed), and rather unexpectedly HD85 and SD34.

Brief Blogging Bullets: Convention and Candidate news

Due to work and family life, blogging has been on the back burner here lately. Quite a bit of news has happened, so here's some brief blogging bullets:

• At the OKGOP State Convention on Saturday, Pam Pollard was reelected as OKGOP chair, defeating Robert Aery 69.21% to 30.79%. DeWayne McAnally was reelected as Vice-Chair without opposition.
• State Auditor Gary Jones told State Convention delegates that he will be running for Governor in 2018, with an official campaign launch coming later this year.
• Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy sent an email to delegates saying that she is considering a run for Lieutenant Governor.
• Tressa Nunley has been endorsed by former State Rep. Pam Peterson in the HD75 special election; the primary is tomorrow.
• The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed House Resolution 1004, which calls on executive, judicial, and law enforcement officials to "exercise their authority [...] to stop the murder of innocent unborn children by abortion."
• Andy Coleman, running in the GOP 1st Congressional District primary, was endorsed by Dr. Everett Piper of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
• In more 1st District news, State Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) jumped in the already-crowded GOP field.
• In news from Washington D.C., all Oklahoma House members voted for the latest version of the American Health Care Act; on the $1T omnibus spending bill, Cole and Lucas voted in favor, while Bridenstine (unsurprisingly), Mullin and Russell (both surprisingly) voted against.

As always, be sure to visit blogs that I've linked to on the sidebars for additional news.

OCPAC endorses Tressa Nunley in HD75 special election

Oklahoma’s Premier Conservative Group Endorses Tressa Nunley 

in House District 75 Special Election

Oklahoma Conservative PAC members interviewed candidates for the Oklahoma State House District 75 - Special Election for Broken Arrow and Tulsa voters. The contested Republican primary is coming up quickly on Tuesday, May 9th.

John Michener, the President of OCPAC, released the following statement:

“After a survey and interview process, OCPAC members voted overwhelmingly to endorse Tressa Nunley for Oklahoma House District 75.  We were impressed with the way she articulated fiscal conservatism and the need to champion liberty.  Citizens in Broken Arrow and Tulsa should feel good about voting for Tressa to defend their interests at the Capitol.”

Tressa Nunley expressed her appreciation for the endorsement, stating, “I am grateful for the time given by this great group of Oklahoma conservatives to meet me, share ideas, ask tough questions on relevant topics, and to discuss workable solutions for the challenges facing our state.  I have spent my 25-year business career making decisions based on my Christian, conservative principles, and that track record shows that I am committed to earning trust and delivering on promises. I look forward to working together with all to find answers and place Oklahoma on the right fiscal track while standing for conservative, constitutional principles.

Tressa Nunley is a successful businesswoman and Realtor serving her hometown community. A lifelong Tulsan, Nunley graduated from Nathan Hale High School, and the University of Oklahoma with a Business Administration degree. She and her husband Marc are active members of Tulsa Bible Church and have four granddaughters, two in Oklahoma who attend local public schools and two who live in Hawaii where their parents are serving in the U.S. Army.

For more information on Tressa Nunley, please visit her website at www.TressaNunley.com or on Facebook at Tressa Nunley for State Representative.

Former Rep. John Wright endorses Tressa Nunley in HD75

HD75 special election candidate Tressa Nunley has been endorsed by former State Rep. John Wright (R-Broken Arrow):

"It is impossible to predict every issue that will come before the Legislature. However, if you send someone who shares your principles, values, and convictions, when the issues arise, they are likely to decide and vote on them as you would. I know Tressa Nunley to be Pro-Life, a person of sincere faith, and a candidate who is trusted by several of my conservative friends."

- John A. Wright
Oklahoma State Representative (1998-2010)
Chief Deputy, Tulsa County Assessor's Office

Nunley has also been endorsed by Tulsa County Assessor Ken Yazel and State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee). The Republican primary will be held on May 9th. A district map can be viewed here. Four Republicans and two Democrats are running to fill the seat being vacated by disgraced Rep. Dan Kirby, who resigned after an investigation into his alleged sexual harassment of two previous legislative assistants.

Tressa Nunley Enters House District 75 Race

Republican Businesswoman Tressa Nunley Enters House District 75 Race

March 3, 2017 – Republican Tressa Nunley has officially filed as a candidate for State Representative in the upcoming special election for House District 75. Nunley, 49, is a lifelong Tulsa resident and conservative Republican.

Nunley has served the Tulsa community as a licensed realtor since 2005, with previous experience in administration with Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City and St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, as well as an Employee Programs Coordinator in Strategic Practices for Williams Communications. Tressa is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, with an emphasis in Communication and Business Law.

“I believe that both my business and life experience have uniquely qualified me to represent the needs of individuals and families. I know that I can put that experience to work in advancing fiscal responsibility and opportunities for job growth,” Nunley said.

Tressa was born and raised in Tulsa, and is a graduate of Nathan Hale High School. She is married to Marc Nunley, and enjoys spending time with her three adult stepchildren and four granddaughters.

“As a mom and grandmother, I understand the need for quality education, and will work to ensure our tax dollars reach the teacher and students in the classroom,” said Nunley.

Tressa and Marc are longtime active members at Tulsa Bible Church. Together, they have volunteered with numerous nonprofit and faith-based organizations, ranging from overseas missions trips to tornado cleanup in Moore and Joplin.

“My foundation is built on Christian values. Those beliefs influence every decision in my life. I pledge to serve the people of House District 75 with honesty and integrity,” Nunley said.

The House District 75 primary election date is set for May 9th and the general election is July 11th. The district covers portions of Tulsa and Broken Arrow, roughly from S. Sheridan Road to S. 193rd East Avenue and E. 31st Street to E. 61st Street.

For more information on Tressa Nunley, please visit facebook.com/TressaNunleyForStateRepresentative.

Yazel, Faught endorse Tressa Nunley in HD75 special election

Tressa Nunley, Republican candidate in the HD75 special election to replace Dan Kirby, has received endorsements from Tulsa County Assessor Ken Yazel and State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee).

Yazel was first elected Tulsa County Assessor in 2002, winning reelection in 2006, 2010, and 2014.

Rep. Faught said, "Congratulations to our friend Tressa Nunley for following the call to run for office. She would make an excellent Representative for House District 75 - she is a strong Conservative with a compassionate heart!"

The primary will be held on May 9th. View a map of HD75 here.

Special Election Candidates in HD28 and HD75

With the resignations of Republican State Reps. Tom Newell (for a new job opportunity) and Dan Kirby (to avoid expulsion for behavior unbecoming of a legislator), special elections have been called for both seats, and candidate filing has closed.

HD28 Special Election

The winner-take-all primary is on Tuesday, March 7th. The Republican and Democratic victors will face the Libertarian candidate in the general election on May 9th. View a district map here.

• Steve Barnes (D-Wewoka). Raised $5650, spent $4729, $1521 on-hand as of 2/22.
• Billy Choate (R-Seminole). No finance reports filed.
• Yasminda Choate (D-Saskawa). Raised $5580, spent $4167, $1413 on-hand as of 2/28.
• Blake Cummings (D-Maud). Raised $6579 ($5000 loan), spent $5209, $1370 on-hand as of 2/23.
• Jason Leonard (D-Seminole). No finance reports filed.
• Mike Matlock (R-Prague). Raised $30598 ($20087 loan), spent $10276, $20321 on-hand as of 2/27.
• Daniel Matthews (R-Meeker). Raised $12135, spent $8051, $3834 on-hand as of 2/27. Supported by OCPAC and the State Chamber (ironically enough!).
• Cody Presley (L-Wewoka). No finance reports filed.
• Marilyn Rainwater (D-Seminole). Raised $3672, spent $310, $3363 on-hand as of 2/27. HD28 Democratic nominee in 2012 (37.2%), SD28 in 2014 (28.3%), and HD28 in 2016 (33.18%).
• Zack Taylor (R-Seminole) raised  $42814, spent $27543, $14771 on-hand as of 2/27. Supported by ex-Rep. Tom Newell and former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn.

HD75 Special Election

The winner-take-all primary is on May 9th. The Republican and Democratic victors will face each other in the general election on July 11th. Filing for this race ended yesterday, so there's not much information out there on these candidates yet. View a district map here.

• Nik Berg (R-Broken Arrow) - age 21.
• Karen Gaddis (D-Tulsa) - age 67. Democratic nominee in 2016, got 40.44% of the general election vote.
• Tressa Nunley (R-Tulsa) - age 49. Supported by State Rep. George Faught.
• AJ Oatsvall (R-Tulsa) - age 32.
• Jamie Smith (D-Broken Arrow - age 29.
• Skip Steele (R-Tulsa) - age 67. City councilman from 2011-2014, defeated in 2014, lost re-match in 2016.