Hoover Joins Simank Campaign

Blogger Ron Black reports today that Democratic consultant Don Hoover has signed on with Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank in the race for the Democratic nomination for Oklahoma County Commissioner District 1.

Simank faces fellow Councilwoman Willa Johnson, former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, former State Rep. Bart Bates and former commission candidate Billie Bates.

Republicans are former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

Claunch launched his campaign with an early morning fundraiser in Midwest City this morning. His lead campaign consultant is Neva Hill, who handled Claunch's legislative campaigns and worked with him on anti-gambling efforts that Claunch chaired.

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Seven File For County Commission Seat

The filing period for the Oklahoma County Commission District 1 seat ended this afternoon without any major surprises.

Democrats did wind up with five candidates in the winner-take-all primary.

As expected, former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn filed in the Democratic primary, as did Oklahoma City Councilwomen Willa Johnson and Ann Simank, former Capitol lobbyist Bart Bates. and Fannie Bates (no relation to Bart), who sought the seat in 1994.

Republicans who filed include former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

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Blackburn Says She's In County Commissioner Race

Former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn today announced her candidacy for Oklahoma County Commissioner District One, the seat vacated by Jim Roth.

She is the third declared Democratic candidate in the race, the other two being Oklahoma City Councilwomen Ann Simank and Willa Johnson.

Republicans in the race include former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

Blackburn stated, "I feel I have the skills and commitment to continue the work Commissioner Roth started. Jim re-organized the District One County office and brought integrity and efficiency back to District One. I believe my work and background in civic and community projects give me unique insight into the needs of District One. Roth's legacy of high standards of governmental performance must be maintained."

Blackburn served twelve years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing District 88. While in the House,she served as Chair of Appropriations for Education and Chair of Banking and Finance.

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Henry Sets County Election Dates

Governor Brad Henry has set August 14th as primary election day and September 11th as general election day in Oklahoma County for those seeking to replace Jim Roth as county commissioner.

Democrats who say they are running are Oklahoma City Councilwomen Willa Johnson and Ann Simank. Republicans who are running are former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City and former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag.

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Claunch Prepares County Commission Campaign

Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch, Midwest City Republican, is preparing to seek the Oklahoma County Commission District 1 post being vacated by the appointment of Commissioner Jim Roth to the Corporation Commission.

An announcement from Claunch is expected as early as Tuesday.

As reported earlier today on The McCarville Report Online, the field of possible Democratic candidates includes former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson and Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank. Former State Senator Dave Herbert, Midwest City Democrat, took himself out of the race today, telling radio station KTOK he will continue as a Capitol lobbyist.

Republican sources, meanwhile, say that Jason Nelson, a former member of Goveror Frank Keating's staff and currently a principal of the consulting firm CMA Strategies considered getting into the race but will not do so if Claunch announces as expected.

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County Developments: Debbie Blackburn Eyes Roth Seat, Debbe Leftwich Talks About Rinehart Seat

Former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, sources say, may enter the race to succeed Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth. She is the third Democrat known to be considering the race to succeed Roth in the District 1 post. Others are Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson and Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank. Former State Senator Dave Herbert considered the race, but told radio station KTOK today he will not be a candidate.

Blackburn completed 12 years in the House and left because of term limits. She is active in numerous civic organizations, including the Downtown Oklahoma City Rotary Club, the Neighborhood Alliance of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Academy of State Goals, and the Paseo Redevelopment Corporation Board of Directors.

The only Republican known to be exploring a race is former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City.

In another Oklahoma County political development, some insiders expect State Senator Debbe Leftwich to seek the District 2 seat now held by embattled Republican Brent Rinehart, who faces criminal charges related to the financing of his campaign. Leftwich, a Democrat elected to replace her late husband in 2003 and reelected in 2006, reportedly has discussed the possibility with supporters and some party insiders.

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Herbert Says He'll Have Announcement Next Week

Capitol lobbyist Dave Herbert says he'll announce next week if he will be a candidate for the Oklahoma County Commission.

The former state senator told radio station KTOK he is a forming an exploratory committee and will meet with members over the weekend to assess the race.

Herbert, a Democrat, could face two members of the Oklahoma City Council, Willa Johnson and Ann Simank, if he decides to run. Johnson told KTOK she's not ready to announce yet, but sounded much like a candidate. Simank has declared she is running.

Republican Forrest Claunch, former House member, also is considering the race for the seat being vacated by Jim Roth.

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Willa Johnson Eyes County Commissioner Vacancy

Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson has given an indication she, too, is interested in running for the Oklahoma County Commission seat being vacated by Jim Roth.

Sources say Johnson has contacted previous supporters about making the race.

Earlier Wednesday, Councilwoman Ann Simank indicated she is running, as did former State Senator Dave Herbert of Midwest City, now a Capitol lobbyist. Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch, also of Midwest City, also is known to be considering the race.

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Ann Simank Says She'll Seek Roth Post

Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank of Ward 6 says she'll run for the County Commission seat being vacated by Commissioner Jim Roth's appointment to the Corporation Commission.

Simank apparently will join former State Senator Dave Herbert in the race. Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City also is considering the race.

Simank was eleced to the council in 1995. She confirmed rumors she'll run in an interview with the publication OKCBusiness.

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