Tidwell replaces Ball as AFP-OK State Director

AFP Oklahoma Announces New State Director

Matt Ball Pursues New Opportunity; John Tidwell Joins AFP November 1

OKLAHOMA CITY - Americans for Prosperity (AFP) – Oklahoma, the Sooner state’s leading grassroots advocate for economic freedom and limited government, announced that Matt Ball would be stepping down and John Tidwell will be named State Director beginning November 1.

“I am proud to have served as State Director for AFP,” Ball said.  “This organization’s mission to fight for economic freedom, free markets, and limited government is absolutely critical to preserving the future of America and our great state.  We have built strong momentum as a state chapter and I am confident my successor will continue that momentum into 2014 and beyond," continued Ball.

"John Tidwell brings our organization a true passion for free market policies and a background of fighting for entrepreneurs throughout Oklahoma.  His leadership will be key in taking our organization to the next level fighting for taxpayers against government overreach and misguided public policy."

Tidwell has worked in Oklahoma politics for nearly two decades. He worked as director of communications for Congressman John Sullivan for 12 years and more recently as a Senior Account Executive at Jones Public Relations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, a free-market public relations firm.

AFP President Tim Phillips said the following: “Matt is a dedicated defender of economic freedom and he has charted a winning strategic direction for our Oklahoma state chapter.  We wish him well in his new opportunity and we are equally ready to have John Tidwell assume the State Director role in Oklahoma to build upon past success and grow our presence for the future."

Ball will leave AFP effective October 31st and will begin his new position as Director of Corporate Affairs for CMA Strategies, November 1st and John Tidwell will assume the role of State Director on the 1st.

[Blogger's note: Ball leaves AFP-OK after a rather brief stint in the position, having replaced previous director Stuart Jolly at the end of February. Jolly served as state director for six years.]

Peter Rudy ends Capitol reporting, joins State Chamber

A fixture at the State Capitol for the past few years, Peter J. Rudy has ended his state government reporting, and has joined the State Chamber of Oklahoma as Vice President of Communications.

In a farewell post on OklahomaCapitolSource.com, Rudy said "Unfortunately, I’m a better reporter than I am a businessman so while it was professionally rewarding, the financial side didn’t quite match. So today, Sunday October 6, 2013, is the last day for Oklahoma Capitol Source. I have found employment elsewhere (more details when that becomes official on Monday) and it’s not something that can coexist with sitting at the Capitol for hours on end."

On Monday, the State Chamber announced that they had hired Rudy. "Rudy will replace Jennifer Monies. Monies left earlier this fall when she accepted a role with Senate President Pro Tempore as press secretary and senior advisor."

Rudy's exit leaves a hole in reporting at the State Capitol. In his time with both Oklahoma Watchdog and Oklahoma Capitol Source, Rudy covered practically every major government meeting and House session that took place, posting and tweeting extensive notes.

For anyone interested in the tough job of replacing him, Rudy says, "if there's an intrepid reporter out there who wants to take over the website, email okcapitolsource@gmail.com and we'll talk!"

I hope someone does, because his work will be missed.