Terrill, Reynolds Relish Big Primary Wins
By Mick Hinton/Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Despite big corporate bucks contributed to his opponent's campaign, embattled Rep. Randy Terrill, the author of tough anti-immigration legislation, won a huge victory in Tuesday's primary election.
Terrill, R-Moore, amassed nearly 75 percent of the vote, trouncing a newcomer, Curtis Bruehl of Norman.
The victor declared the race a referendum on House Bill 1804, termed the most rigid immigration legislation in the country.
But the head of the House GOP caucus attributed Terrill's victory to his making face-to-face contact with constituents.
"The key buzzword is 'retail' politics," said caucus Chairman John Wright of Broken Arrow, who on Wednesday was analyzing the outcome of primary races. Contributions only go so far in electing a candidate, Wright said.
Some top Oklahoma City business leaders gave maximum $5,000 contributions to Bruehl. Terrill lashed out at Aubrey McClendon, the head of Chesapeake Energy; Larry Nichols, the head of Devon Energy; and Bob Funk, a Republican supporter who runs Express Personnel Services.
He said the voters had spoken against the "Chesapeake-Devon-Express Personnel oligarchy, giving Terrill 1 and them, O."
Chambers of commerce and many business leaders now see the legislation as hurting the state's economy and imposing unrealistic regulations on employers. Tom Price, a spokesman for Chesapeake Energy, said Wednesday that Terrill "is not deserving of us to comment on him in particular."
"We just are not supportive of those interested in being negative and critical of business," Price said. "This is not restricted to Randy."
Nichols could not be reached for comment, and Funk chose not to comment on Terrill's assessment.
Wright also credited political footwork for the victory of another GOP incumbent, Rep. Mike Reynolds, in his southern Oklahoma City race. McClendon, Nichols and other top leaders including Clay Bennett each gave $5,000 to Reynolds' opponent, Jon Echols. Bennett is a major owner of the franchise to bring a professional basketball team to Oklahoma.
Campaign finance records show that Echols raised more than $75,000 in his campaign while Reynolds raised about $43,000. Usually incumbents far out-raise their opponents. Reynolds, who relishes being a gadfly in the House, is often at odds with his own caucus. He says those business leaders don't support him because of his stance on one issue: He opposes the Legislature's helping bring a professional basketball team to Oklahoma City. Reynolds also supported the anti-immigration bill. He said, "I don't find anywhere that it's the responsibility of government to promote business."
Terrill, R-Moore, amassed nearly 75 percent of the vote, trouncing a newcomer, Curtis Bruehl of Norman.
The victor declared the race a referendum on House Bill 1804, termed the most rigid immigration legislation in the country.
But the head of the House GOP caucus attributed Terrill's victory to his making face-to-face contact with constituents.
"The key buzzword is 'retail' politics," said caucus Chairman John Wright of Broken Arrow, who on Wednesday was analyzing the outcome of primary races. Contributions only go so far in electing a candidate, Wright said.
Some top Oklahoma City business leaders gave maximum $5,000 contributions to Bruehl. Terrill lashed out at Aubrey McClendon, the head of Chesapeake Energy; Larry Nichols, the head of Devon Energy; and Bob Funk, a Republican supporter who runs Express Personnel Services.
He said the voters had spoken against the "Chesapeake-Devon-Express Personnel oligarchy, giving Terrill 1 and them, O."
Chambers of commerce and many business leaders now see the legislation as hurting the state's economy and imposing unrealistic regulations on employers. Tom Price, a spokesman for Chesapeake Energy, said Wednesday that Terrill "is not deserving of us to comment on him in particular."
"We just are not supportive of those interested in being negative and critical of business," Price said. "This is not restricted to Randy."
Nichols could not be reached for comment, and Funk chose not to comment on Terrill's assessment.
Wright also credited political footwork for the victory of another GOP incumbent, Rep. Mike Reynolds, in his southern Oklahoma City race. McClendon, Nichols and other top leaders including Clay Bennett each gave $5,000 to Reynolds' opponent, Jon Echols. Bennett is a major owner of the franchise to bring a professional basketball team to Oklahoma.
Campaign finance records show that Echols raised more than $75,000 in his campaign while Reynolds raised about $43,000. Usually incumbents far out-raise their opponents. Reynolds, who relishes being a gadfly in the House, is often at odds with his own caucus. He says those business leaders don't support him because of his stance on one issue: He opposes the Legislature's helping bring a professional basketball team to Oklahoma City. Reynolds also supported the anti-immigration bill. He said, "I don't find anywhere that it's the responsibility of government to promote business."
Labels: Mike Reynolds, Randy Terrill
posted by Mike McCarville @ 9:35 AM
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