Johnson, Vaughn Reject Rinehart Proposal

Oklahoma County Commissioners Willa Johnson and Ray Vaughn today rejected Commissioner Brent Rinehart's proposal to identify where commissioners' campaign donors live in relation to county road projects, saying it would be too time consuming and ineffective.

Rinehart, the District 2 commissioner, first proposed the practice earlier this year in response to past criticism of a bridge project he had planned near the home of a controversial donor to his 2004 campaign, developer Ray Pelfrey. Rinehart says he didn't know where Pelfrey lived or that the bridge would benefit him.

The practice, which Rinehart called an increase in political transparency, would have required the county engineer to use commissioners' campaign finance reports to create maps showing which donors live within a mile of proposed county road or bridge projects.

Rinehart said the intent was to give other commissioners and the public assurance that road projects were being chosen for practical reasons rather than political favors.

County Engineer Stacey Trumbo estimated it would take a full-time employee two and a half months to generate the maps if the employee worked on nothing else during that time.

Johnson and Vaughn classified that as an inefficient use of county resources. They also expressed doubts that the proposal could be efficient because identifying the owners of corporations, partnerships and trusts that own property can be difficult, if not impossible.

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Willa Johnson Faces Breast Cancer Surgery

Oklahoma County Commissioner Willa Johnson will undergo surgery next week for breast cancer that was discovered during a routine mammogram the week of Thanksgiving. Johnson revealed her situation at this week's board of county commissioners meeting.

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Oklahoma City Sets Special Election Date

Oklahoma City has called a special election to fill the unexpired term for council member in Ward 7, the seat vacated by Willa Johnson's election as county commissioner.

A special primary election will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2007. A special general election, if needed, will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted October 15 through 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day at the Oklahoma County Election Board office located at 4201 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City.

Contact the Oklahoma County Election Board at 713-1515 for additional information.

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Johnson Considers Jones, Hill For Top Posts; Says She Will Advertise For Applicants

From NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Newly elected Oklahoma County Commissioner Willa Johnson confirms she is giving thought to hiring former Oklahoma Public Employees Association Executive Director Gary Jones, who lost his job earlier this year over questions surrounding his management abilities.

She might also hire former State Democratic party operative Teresa Hill.

"Either one of them or both of them would be execellent choices," said Commissioner Johnson in response to a question from KTOK News. "But those are positions that I am going to advertise."

She explained that she would advertise to fill positions that are vacant.

"And we are going to watch and see what professionals come out of that," said Johnson.

Gary Jones was put on administrative leave in July, then stripped of his adminstrative duties as Executive Director in August, over questions raised about credit card expenditures and association spending. The Association was hit with four federal tax liens totaling more than $85,000 in the past year.

Hill worked for the Democratic party for nearly two years before the election of Ivan Holmes as the new State Party chairman. During the transition from one party chairman to another, Hill separated ways with the Party headquarters.

The KTOK report confirms an earlier, speculative post on the Democratic blog, http://www.demookie.com.

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Johnson's Victory Came On Strength In Nine Northeast Oklahoma City Precincts

Democrat Willa Johnson won the special election for Oklahoma County commissioner this week based on overwhelming margins in some northeast Oklahoma City and Spencer precincts, TMRO's analysis of precinct vote returns shows.

ANALYSIS

Republican Forrest Claunch, who lost to Johnson 54-46 percent, actually carried or tied Johnson in 65 of the district's 105 precincts, but his margins in the precincts he carried were nowhere near as large as those Johnson racked up in some northeast Oklahoma City precincts. In the nine northeast precincts listed here, for example, Johnson received 1,924 votes. Claunch got just 132. Her margin of victory overall was 893 votes.

Precinct 543 ~ Claunch 4, Johnson 213 Precinct 544 ~ Claunch 4, Johnson 223 Precinct 547 ~ Claunch 5, Johnson 112 Precinct 549 ~ Claunch 1, Johnson 201 Precinct 550 ~ Claunch 11, Johnson 246 Precinct 551 ~ Claunch 16 Johnson 265 Precinct 552 ~ Claunch 27, Johnson 221 Precinct 579 ~ Claunch 15, Johnson 121 Precinct 589 ~ Claunch 49, Johnson 322

While Claunch carried precincts in the State House district he previously represented, his margins were modest compared to Johnson's showing in her northeast precincts. An example can be found in Midwest City's Precinct 385, voting in which takes place at Cleveland Bailey Elementary School, 3301 Sunvalley Drive. There, Claunch had a margin of almost 2-to-1, besting Johnson 225 to 116 votes.

Voter registration in the district is about 64 percent Democrat, 36 percent Republican.

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Johnson Wins County Commission Seat

Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson defeated former State Rep. Forrest Claunch to win the vacant Oklahoma County Commission District 1 seat in voting on Tuesday.

Unofficial returns show Johnson with 5,976 votes, 54 percent, to Claunch's 5,083 votes, or 46 percent.

Voter turnout was (a pathetic) 10 percent of those registered.

Johnson, a Democrat, swept precincts in northeast Oklahoma City and Spencer by huge margins, just as she did in winning the highly-contested Democratic primary.

Claunch, a Republican, carried precincts in his hometown of Midwest City and other areas.

Registration in the district favors Democrats. The seat had been held by Jim Roth, named to the Corporation Commission by Governor Brad Henry.

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Claunch, Johnson Face County Voters

Republican Forrest Claunch and Democrat Willa Johnson make their final pitch to Oklahoma County voters in the next four days as they seek election to the District 1 county commission seat.

Claunch, former House member from Midwest City, has stressed his business background, years of legislative experience and ability to work with others in his campaign. He won the GOP primary in a walk.

Johnson, Oklahoma City councilwoman, has stressed her local government experience. Johnson topped a field of five Democrats in her primary, posting an impressive victory based on heavy margins in northeast Oklahoma City and Spencer.

They seek the seat vacated when Governor Brad Henry named Democrat Jim Roth to the Corporation Commission.

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How Willa Won The Ground Game

A Solid Plan And 'Where There's A Willa, There's A Way' Hustle Paid Off For The Oklahoma City Councilwoman

Willa Johnson won the Democratic primary for the Oklahoma County Commissioner District 1 seat in the 72 hours before last Tuesday's primary and she did it with a solid plan and hustle.

Here, based on what we've been able to learn from party insiders, observers and a few of her supporters, is how the Oklahoma City councilwoman did it despite "expert" opinion she'd finish third to Councilwoman Ann Simank and former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn:

ONE - Johnson organized an intensive voter turnout telephone effort in her City Council district and in the Spencer area, and reportedly had more volunteers willing to call their neighbors than she had telephones for them to use. Much of the calling, we're told, was done by neighbors on their home phones from lists the Johnson campaign supplied. She also used robocalls with her trademark, "Where there's a Willa, there's a way!" line that seemed to stick in the minds of some voters.

TWO - Johnson designed and printed an oversized postcard that went to every Democratic household in the district. Apparently, she was the only candidate to do this throughout the district. The postcards arrived mostly on Saturday and Monday.

THREE - Johnson supporters reportedly printed handbills that were placed on windshields during Sunday services at northeast Oklahoma City churches.

FOUR - Johnson supporters blitzed neighborhoods in the district in 3- and 4-person teams on the weekend. In Midwest City's Rolling Heights Addition (Northeast 10th and Air Depot area), observers reported a 4-man team leaving flyers on doors. They ignored homes where Republican Forrest Claunch's yard signs were present and skipped some homes where his signs were not present; that could indicate they were working from a list of registered Democrats. (Claunch won the GOP nomination over former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag, 75-25 percent.)

Johnson's 4-pronged ground game worked. She won the winner-take-all primary with 35.34 percent of the vote, besting Blackburn (34.01 percent) by just 80 votes. The totals were 2,119 to 2,039. Simank, believed by many to be the early front-runner, finished a distant third in the 5-person primary field.

Johnson apparently had the help of former Oklahoma Democratic Party operative Teresa Hill, who has close union ties, and Gary Jones, former head of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

Johnson drew much of her vote strength from Spencer, as well as northeast Oklahoma City. She won 20 (of the district's total 105) precincts in those areas by huge margins.

Johnson's elective career began in 1993 when she was elected to the City Council. She's been reelected multiple times since. She's active in numerous local groups and national municipal government organizations.

The District 1 commissioner's seat was vacated when Jim Roth was named to the Corporation Commission by Governor Brad Henry.

The special general election is September 11th.

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Willa Johnson Stuns With County Commission Democratic Win; Claunch Takes GOP Nomination

Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson confounded the experts and stunned most observers in Tuesday's Oklahoma County Commissioner election, defeating four opponents by getting 35.34 percent of the vote in the winner-take-all primary.

Republican Forrest Claunch of Midwest City easily defeated former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag, 75.37 to 24.63 percent, to take his party's nomination.

Johnson's victory came with an 80-vote margin over former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, who got 34.01 percent of the vote. Councilwoman Ann Simank, believed by some to the leader as of a week ago, got just 23.72 percent of the vote. Fannie Bates and Bart Bates got just 1.5 and 5.4 percent, respectively.

Here are the vote totals in the Democratic primary: Johnson, 2,119; Blackburn, 2,039; Simank, 1,422; Bart Bates, 324; Fannie Bates, 92.

Here are the Republican totals: Claunch, 1,558; Hoag, 509.

The special general election is September 11th.

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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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