Gary Jones Wins Resounding Reelection Victory

State Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones won reelection today by a margin of almost 4-to-1 over challenger Cheryl Williams, who sought to move up from the vice chairman's seat.

Convention delegates also voted overwhelmingly to keep the party's presidential primary instead of replacing it with a caucus system, Jones said.

Senator Tom Coburn urged delegates to oppose the switch to a caucus, saying it will dilute the party's message and result in divisions among Republicans in the state.

Coburn also deflected criticism of his vote in favor of a federal bailout package, saying it was the right vote to cast for the security of the nation's financial system.

"If that's the only vote you've got against me, you're in trouble," Coburn said after a convention delegate chastised him for his support of the bill. "To do the right best thing for the country, rather than the right best thing for the politician, is a good way to lead this country."

Coburn also renewed his criticism of a federal report on right-wing extremism by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent this month to law enforcement officials that suggest military veterans and Americans with certain conservative beliefs could be potential terrorists.

"It's a signal of how disconnected Washington is from society," Coburn said. "Dissent is the purest form of patriotism. "The people she (Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano) was describing fits the description of every one of our founding fathers."

Senator Randy Brogdon, who said today he will join Congresswoman Mary Fallin in seeking the GOP nomination for governor, was given a warm reception by those in attendance.

Fallin told that she can be the conservative leader who moves Oklahoma forward. She said she shares the frustration of other conservatives over the Obama administration’s support of higher taxes and bigger government. With the president and Congressional liberals pursuing a series of “misguided” initiatives, Fallin said Oklahomans should not look to Washington for help.

“It is up to us on the state level to enact the reforms that will help insulate us from the misguided policies of the Obama administration and do what Oklahomans have always done: roll up our sleeves and do the right thing,” said Fallin. “Now is the time to put our state on the path to long-term economic stability and prosperity. It is up to us to get Oklahoma moving again, out of recession, out of stagnation, out of the past and into the future.”

Fallin listed the economy, education, health care and tort reform as some of the issues the state needs to focus on.

Former Speaker of the House Todd Hiett said he liked what he heard. “Mary is going to be a great governor,” said Hiett. “She has been serving this state for over 19 years, and she has always been an effective advocate for Oklahoma. She’s got what it takes to move this state forward.”

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