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.”

Share |

GOP Convention Addresses Primary, Leadership

This weekend's Republican state convention in Oklahoma City could generate considerable heat.

With a contested race for chairman and a battle to change the GOP's presidential primary system, interest in the event has grown.

The two issues are intertwined; the group pushing the change from a primary to caucus presidential system includes many of the same who seek to oust incumbent Chairman Gary Jones in favor of challenger Cheryl Williams.

The group includes arch-conservative Republicans, including national committeeman James Dunn; Rep. Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow; Rep. Charles Key of Oklahoma City; and Charlie Meadows, a Guthrie house painter and leader of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee.

Share |

GOP Fundraiser Marks Cornett Birthday

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett's 50th birthday on Saturday is the occasion for a Republican Party fundraiser.

An announcement from the Oklahoma Republican Party says the event, which features Cornett and Senate GOP leader Glenn Coffee, will be held at the Bricktown Centennial Rooftop, 200 South Oklahoma Avenue, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Donations requested include $250 per couple, $500 for Silver Donors, $1,000 for Gold Donors and $5,000 for Centennial Donors.

For more information, call Whitney at 405-228-4161 or email wharbour@cothrandevelopment.com.

Share |

GOP's Jones Expects Delegates To Support McCain

By Michael McNutt/Capitol Bureau, The Oklahoman ~ The chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party said Monday he's confident all 23 delegates up for nomination to the national GOP convention will be loyal to the party's presidential presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain.

Republican officials last weekend interviewed 114 people who had applied for the delegate spots, state GOP Chairman Gary Jones said. A slate of 23 at-large delegates and 23 alternates will be submitted during the Oklahoma Republican Party's convention next month.

Jones said party officials wanted to know from each of the delegates what "they're going to do to support our nominee, John McCain.”

Ron Paul supporters are continuing efforts to win delegates at Oklahoma's convention, scheduled for May 2-3 in Tulsa.

Paul supporters are hosting a "speech coaching” session April 29 in Oklahoma City.

McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, captured Oklahoma's 23 at-large delegates when he won the state's Feb. 5 presidential primary. Three state GOP officials, Jones and the national committeeman and committeewoman, automatically go as delegates; all three are supporting McCain.

Fifteen other delegates were awarded to the winning candidate in each of the state's five congressional districts. McCain got nine of those delegates – three in each of the three congressional districts he won.

State law requires each delegate or alternate delegate to the national convention to cast his or her vote on all ballots for the candidate who won Oklahoma's vote unless that candidate is "no longer a candidate.” After that candidate withdraws, for example, the Oklahoma delegates may vote for any candidate.

Share |

Democratic Party's Money Woes Continue

The Oklahoma Democratic Party continues to face financial hurdles, its latest report to the Federal Election Commission, filed as of November 30th, indicates.

The report shows the party raised $397,419, spent $394,817, has just $7,063 in cash on hand and still has debts of $33,358. The cash on hand, however, is about $4,000 more than the party had on hand in its previous report and the party outraised the Oklahoma Republican Party by more than a hundred thousand dollars.

The Oklahoma Republican Party, however, ended the same period with $151,345 in cash on hand and no debt, its report shows. It raised $279,218 and spent $161,124.

Share |

2008: Oklahoma GOP Has Huge Cash Advantage

The Oklahoma Republican Party appears poised to enter the 2008 election year with a formidable financial advantage over the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Ethics Commission filings as of September 30th show the GOP has seven times as much state cash on hand as the Democrats, and enjoyed a 3-to-1 fundraising advantage in the 3-month reporting period. Plus, the GOP's federal fund has $75,000 on hand, dramatically increasing the party's overall financial edge. The party now has about $112,000 in cash on hand in both accounts, compared to the Democratic Party's approximately $26,000 in state and federal accounts.

GOP State Chairman Gary Jones said the party's fundraising is "going great." He said it appears the party will enter the election year in a strong position.

Going into past election years, the party has touched on $100,000 in cash on hand; it appears this election year, the number will be substantially higher.

The September 30th reports show that the Oklahoma Democratic Party raised $15,422 in the period and $68,195 this year. it spent $12,007 in the period and $65,000 this year. It had just $5,846 in cash on hand. In a recent email, Chairman Ivan Holmes told supporters the party is making progress retiring old debt, but still cannot afford a paid staff of its own. The Democratic National Committee has paid staff salaries for a few workers. The party's federal fund, the latest Federal Election Commission report shows, owes $67,360 and has $20,215 in cash on hand.

Jones' report shows the GOP raised almost $47,000 in the period and $132,874 for the year. The party spent $47,732 in the period for a total of $123,000 for the year. It had $37,232 in cash on hand. In addition, the party's federal Leadership Council has $75,000 in cash on hand after raising almost $180,000 this year, it's FEC report as of October 20th shows.

Share |

Jones Launches Information Service

Newly-elected Republican State Chairman Gary Jones, on his first day on the job, today launched a new email information service designed to let party activists know what's going on.

The lack of such information was a criticism of former Chairman Tom Daxon, whom Jones narrowly defeated in voting at the party convention last Saturday.

In his initial email, Jones lauded Daxon for his work as chairman and said both Daxon and Tulsa County GOP Chairman Jerry Buchanan, who lost out on the first ballot on Saturday, presented good ideas the party will adopt.

Share |

Romney Cancels GOP Appearance, Source Says

From BatesLine.com ~ Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Republican State Convention on April 14th, has cancelled his appearance.

The campaign staff of Romney, the former governor of Massaschusetts who surprised many by raising more money for his campaign thus far than any other Republican, has not formally announced his change of schedule. Developing....

Share |

Buchanan Makes It Official

Jerry Buchanan, Tulsa County GOP Chairman, today announced his candidacy for Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman.

“I’m looking forward to bringing innovation, reform, and a renewed focus on the basics to our party,” Buchanan said. “I look at Republican defeats in 2006 and don’t believe that it’s our principles or values that are outdated. I believe it’s our state party that needs to be brought into the 21st century. We must concentrate our efforts on improving grassroots outreach, strengthening fundraising, and investing in improved communications efforts. We must be results-oriented and set specific timelines for the completion of our initiatives. We must adapt to new technology and be more responsible to our base.”

Buchanan's annoncement said that while he was chairman of the Tulsa County Republicans, the number of new Precinct Chairmen and Chairwomen increased 20% and there was a 12% increase in precincts represented, the most significant growth in 20 years.

“The success we’ve experienced in Tulsa is a result of teamwork, not just my efforts. It’s from the tireless work of engaged activists. When it would have been easier for us to give up and go home, we pulled together to call neighbors, knock doors, spread our message, and mobilize voters. I look forward to working with Republicans across Oklahoma to recreate the successes we’ve had in Tulsa on a statewide scale.”

As the first step in building improved lines of communication, Buchanan also announced he will embark on a statewide listening tour to hear first-hand from Republican activists about their vision for the future of the party.

Visitors to his campaign website at www.BuchananForChair.org will be able to see where he has travelled and join his movement for change within the Oklahoma Republican Party.

Incumbent Chairman Tom Daxon has not yet announced whether he'll seek reelection.

Share |

Buchanan To Seek GOP Chairmanship

Tulsa County Republican Chairman Jerry Buchanan is prepared to announce he's a candidate for the chairmanship of the Oklahoma Republican Party, sources tell The McCarville Report Online.

If Buchanan does become a candidate, he will be the first to announce for the post now held by Tom Daxon. Others, including former Chairman Gary Jones, have been mentioned as possible candidates.

Daxon came under fire from some party activists last year; he has not revealed whether he plans to seek reelection.

Share |

Reports Detail GOP 'Victory' Spending

Christmas may have come a month early for certain consultants and staffers associated with the Oklahoma Republican Party’s “Victory 2006” effort, according to reports recently released by the Federal Election Commission and reported by Oklahoma Political News Service.

Share |