All The Numbers Favor Burrage Over Shaffer In Senate District 2, But...

Democrat Sean Burrage has all the numbers working for him in his Senate District 2 race with Republican Ami Shaffer. Registration numbers in the district clearly favor Democrats, with 21,291 registrations compared to 15,096 Republicans and 3,326 Independents. Burrage's numbers in fundraising also seem to be working for him: He's raised $423,000 and spent about $88,300, his latest Ethics Commission filing shows. Shaffer's last report showed $58,600 raised (including a $10,000 loan from her) and expenditures of $47,136.

But.

Republicans have this seat, long held by term-limited Senator Stratton Taylor of Claremore, among their top possible pickups this year in their quest to take control of the Senate. Their optimism about the race is fueled by their enthusiasm for Shaffer, a 48-year-old co-partner in an investments firm. Party leaders say she's a dynamic candidate, well-spoken and attractive. "And she likes to work hard," said one operative with his ear to the ground. Shaffer won a 4-way primary with 65.36 percent of the vote. Her husband, Glenn, is pastor of the Church At Claremore. They were high school sweethearts and have been married 31 years.

Democrats say Burrage, at 38, is the ideal candidate for them this year. They say he's tuned in to local issues, works hard and has the Taylor network on his side. Burrage is an attorney, the law partner of Taylor. He was legal counsel to U. S. Senator David Boren in 1993-94 and when Boren became president of the University of Oklahoma, Burrage became OU's director of state and federal relations, a post he held until 1996. He's endorsed by liberal Kalyn Free's INDN's List.

Burrage's campaign finance reports show his major donors are mostly outside the district. John Shipman, a Texas businessman, gave him $2,500. An Oklahoma City attorney, Josh Welch, gave him the same amount. Arkansas attorney John Goodson and Texas attorney Cory Patterson each gave him $2,000. Atoka businessman Morris Cochran gave $1,500. Altus banker Ken Fergeson gave him $1,000, as did Texas attorney Michael Angelovich and Tulsa attorney David Guthery. Burrage's reports show he's spent $5,000 with media consultants, $2,500 for general consulting and $6,375 for "research."

Shaffer's major donor lives outside the district; he's Republican State Senator Mike Johnson of Kingfisher, who has donated $3,000. A Texas teacher, Paul Milligan, donated $1,500. Owasso real estate agent Gary Kirby gave $1,000, as did Ted Jones, Deretha Bell and Diane Dickinson, all of Claremore. Her expenditures have been for campaign materials.

Education and economic development have been talking points for both candidates. Shaffer favors more reform of the workers comp system and Burrage, a trial attorney, doesn't mention it.

Graphic courtesy KOCO-TV Eyewitness News Five.

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