Is Banker Steve Burrage A Candidate To Replace McMahan In Auditor's Post?

The name of Antlers banker Steve Burrage is the latest to surface as Governor Brad Henry ponders a replacement for resigned Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan.

Sources tell The McCarville Report Online that Burrage likely is "a very strong candidate if he's really interested."

An inquiry to Burrage, chairman of the board of FirstBank of Antlers, about his interest, if any, as yet has not been answered.

Burrage is a longtime Democratic Party donor, comes from a politically-connected family, is a former chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association, serves on the board of the Oklahoma City branch of the Federal Reserve, is a member of the board of The State Chamber and is highly respected as a banker and businessman. He and other family members won praise from the Banking Board in 2000 when they took over a troubled bank in Atoka and turned it around.

Burrage supported John Edwards for president and was a donor, along with other prominent family members, including former U.S. District Judge Michael Burrage and Senator Sean Burrage of Claremore. The Burrages contributed a combined $13,000 to the Edwards campaign, including $2,300 from Steve Burrage. He also was a substantial donor to Congressman Dan Boren.

Burrage is a graduate of Antlers High School and the University of Oklahoma.

Other names in the speculation include Democrats Robert Butkin, former treasurer; Laura Boyd, former House member and gubernatorial nominee; Republicans Michelle Day, who has been running the auditor's office since January; and Gary Jones, present GOP chairman who lost to McMahan in 2002 and 2006.

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