Poll find Stitt ahead by 3.5%, all other statewide races solid GOP

In a new survey by the Right Strategy Group, GOP candidate Kevin Stitt leads the race for Governor with 47% to Democrat Drew Edmondson's 43% and Libertarian Chris Powell's 2%. 8% of respondents indicated that they are undecided. All other statewide races lean heavily to the GOP.

Oklahoma General Election Poll

Conducted by The Right Strategy Group. Automated voice recorded phone survey of 1058 likely voters in Oklahoma, conducted on September 25 & 26, 2018, with a margin of error of +/- 3.0% at the 95 percent confidence interval.

GOVERNOR
Kevin Stitt (R) - 46.9%
Drew Edmondson (D) - 43.4%
Chris Powell (L) - 2.0%
Undecided - 7.8%

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Matt Pinnell (R) - 50.0%
Anastasia Pittman (D) - 34.1%
Ivan Holmes (I) - 4.0%
Undecided - 12.0%

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Mike Hunter (R) - 50.7%
Mark Myles (D) - 32.3%
Undecided - 17.0%

STATE SUPERINTENDENT
Joy Hofmeister (R) - 48.3%
John Cox (D) - 31.6%
Larry Huff (I) - 7.3%
Undecided - 12.8%

LABOR COMMISSIONER 
Leslie Osborn (R) - 47.8%
Fred Dorrell (D) - 29.9%
Brandt Dismukes (I) - 4.5%
Undecided - 17.9%

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER
Bob Anthony (R) - 53.0%
Ashley Nicole McCray (D) - 31.4%
Jackie Short (I) - 3.6%
Undecided - 12.0%

STATE AUDITOR
Cindy Byrd (R) - 47.4%
John Yeutter (L) - 11.7%
Undecided - 40.9%

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Glen Mulready (R) - 43.1%
Kimberly Fobbs (D) - 32.2%
Undecided - 24.7%

You can view the poll with full crosstabs at this link.

OCPA column: Continued wind cronyism devastating school budgets

Continued wind cronyism devastating school budgets

by Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

How did mankind figure out fire without a government program? These days every new technology has backers who insist they are one more government check away from being the next big thing. That was the Solyndra story, and in Oklahoma, it is the story of wind farm companies.

Crony handouts are unfair—the biggest, best-connected companies benefit, often at the expense of the little guy or the disruptive outsider. They are also addictive. Even after the Oklahoma Legislature repealed the most lavish subsidies and tax breaks in 2017, wind energy companies are still trying to avoid paying ordinary taxes.

The journalism website NonDoc.com reported recently on a lawsuit involving two Oklahoma counties and a wind farm operator ultimately owned by the French government. The Rock Falls Wind Farm in Grant and Kay Counties is owned by a subsidiary of EDF Energy, a British firm, which itself is a subsidiary of Électricité de France. EDF convinced the Blackwell Economic Development Authority (BEDA) to pony up $220 million underwritten by “lease revenue bonds,” which are to be retired by a complicated agreement that supposedly leaves ownership in BEDA’s hands. Those dollars built the wind farm, which went online last year.

BEDA then applied to Grant and Kay counties for a property tax exemption as the ultimate owner of the wind farm. The counties said “no,” and BEDA sued.

Meanwhile, tiny Deer Creek-Lamont Schools issued $2.5 million in bonds that were to be paid off by property tax revenues—including those from the wind farm. No one warned the school that the expected cash flow from the wind farm could be curtailed. Now those funds are imperiled by BEDA’s lawsuit. Newkirk Public Schools also stands to lose property tax revenue.

A public agency underwrites a wind farm owned by the French government then tries to bully two counties into giving them a tax-free ride. If they win, two school districts will suffer, and taxpayers in two counties will be forced to make up for the lost property tax revenue. This would set a dangerous precedent that if proliferated will bankrupt taxpayers and schools.

Is it any wonder that the wind farm industry floods the state Capitol every year with 40-plus lobbyists demanding handouts at taxpayer expense? Now they’re trying to win backdoor subsidies at the expense of schools.

Over the last four years led by the executive branch, state government has raised the annual tax and revenue burden on Oklahomans by more than $1 billion. Before the average Oklahoman is asked to contribute an even higher burden by any politician, it’s time for lawmakers to end all the various wind cronyism schemes.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Music Monday: Dvorak's 'From The New World' Symphony, 4th Movement

This week's Music Monday is Czech composer Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), Movement 4, performed here by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.



Enjoy!

See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

September 10th, 2018: Muleskinner Blues
September 3rd, 2018: Boomer Sooner
August 20th, 2018: Psalm 23
August 13th, 2018: Ashokan Farewell
August 6, 2018: How the West Was Won
July 23rd, 2018: I Just Can't Wait to Be King
July 16th, 2018: 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets'
July 9th, 2018: Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
July 2nd, 2018: Turn The Tide
June 25th, 2018: Good Guys Win
June 18th, 2018: Watching You
June 11th, 2018: Adoration
June 4th, 2018: March from 'A Moorside Suite'
May 28th, 2018: Taps
May 21st, 2018: Listz's La Campanella
May 14th, 2018: Handful of Weeds
May 7th, 2018: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
April 30th, 2018: Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 ("Heroic")
April 23rd, 2018: Blow Ye The Trumpet
April 16th, 2018: Asturias (Leyenda)
April 9th, 2018: Old Mountain Dew
April 2nd, 2018: His Life For Mine
March 19th, 2018: See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
March 12th, 2018: Choctaw Nation
March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee

Brad Henry endorses Hofmeister for reelection

Funny how this endorsement wasn't announced during the primary or runoff...

Former Governor Brad Henry Endorses Joy Hofmeister

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 24, 2018) -- Former Gov. Brad Henry, who made education a cornerstone of his two terms in office, today endorsed State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister in her bid for reelection.

Henry is a Democrat and Hofmeister a Republican, but the former governor said education is an issue that transcends party affiliation.

"A strong Oklahoma requires a strong system of public education. As state schools superintendent, Joy Hofmeister has been a tough, tireless and effective advocate for all Oklahoma schoolchildren," Henry said.

"From Day One, Joy successfully fought for a long-overdue teacher pay raise and continues to push for increased investment in public education. She spearheaded strong academic standards, eliminated unnecessary testing and has always supported local control for our schools. Joy has shown she is willing to fight for our students and teachers, even if it means standing against her own party. There is real momentum underway for our schools, and I believe Joy Hofmeister is a big reason why. I trust her to continue fighting for public education, and I hope you will too.”

As the state's chief executive from 2003 to 2010, Henry increased teacher pay and ensured that Oklahoma paid for teachers' health insurance. Under his stewardship, the state became a leader in early childhood education. Gov. Henry's wife, Kim Henry, taught U.S. History in Moore and Shawnee public schools prior to becoming Oklahoma's First Lady.

Hofmeister said she is humbled by the support of Gov. and Mrs. Henry.

“What an honor it is to have the support of Gov. Henry, who was and remains a strong ally for public education,” said Hofmeister. “I have always appreciated and admired his commitment to our students, teachers and schools throughout Oklahoma. I am humbled and thankful he is offering his support.

“Governor Henry and I agree that the issue of public education transcends party affiliation. Providing a quality education to all Oklahoma children is not a partisan issue. We should all work together for the good of every student and ensure they are well prepared for life."

HD2 Democrat candidate issues childish gun challenge

Tom Stites, Democrat candidate in State House District 2, has challenged his Republican opponent Jim Olsen to a shooting match to determine who is more qualified to be the next state representative and protect gun rights.

As if one's accuracy with a firearm determines their ability to perform as a legislator -- or is any indication of the strength of their support for protecting the Second Amendment.

This is pandering, plain and simple, and an attempt to cover for his association with an extreme liberal party. Stites may well support the Second Amendment, and evidently he is an accomplished shooter, but his political party of choice seeks to curtail those constitutional freedoms. In fact, the gubernatorial nominee of Stites' own party is on record this year calling for new gun control measures and opposing constitutional carry legislation.

Stites made the challenge via video, and apparently through newspaper ads as well:


In an article by the Tulsa World, Olsen responded to this childish challenge by saying, "We are not running to be the sniper of Sequoyah County, but we are running for state representative. I may not hit a bull’s-eye every time with a gun, but when it comes to defending our Second Amendment rights, I am always dead center and that is why the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association has endorsed me."

HD2 is currently held by John Bennett (R-Sallisaw); Bennet did not file for reelection, thus the seat is open.

Deadline for voter registration approaches

National Voter Registration Day approaches, voters still have time to get registered for General Election

(Oklahoma City) – As the deadline approaches to register for the November 6 General Election, a national effort is underway to encourage voters to get signed up.

National Voter Registration Day on September 25 is the perfect time for Oklahomans to make sure they are registered and their information is up to date, Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said Friday.

The deadline to register to vote for the General Election is Friday, Oct. 12.

“We have already seen increased voter registration this year as compared to four years ago,” Ziriax said. “Turnout for elections thus far in 2018 has been encouraging. We need to keep that momentum going, and it starts with making sure every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote in November.”

Registering to vote in Oklahoma has never been easier. Voter Registration Application forms can be downloaded from the State Election Board’s website at www.elections.ok.gov or picked up at a variety of locations including your county election board, local libraries, post offices and tag agencies.

Completed forms must be either returned by mail or in person at your county election board or local tag office.

Voters who are already registered to vote may use a new online system to change their residential or mailing address within their current county. They may also update their party affiliation. Address changes to a new county, name changes and new voter registrations will still require a completed paper form, which can be downloaded on the website.

To update your information, visit www.elections.ok.gov and click the link that says, “Update Voter Registration Information Online.” 

OCPA column: Oklahoma teacher unions oppose Kavanaugh

Oklahoma teacher unions oppose Kavanaugh

by OCPA President Jonathan Small

You would think U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wants to burn down the school house.

That’s the impression one gets from reading the opposition statements to his nomination from the leading national teacher unions.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten said Judge Kavanaugh’s past rulings “raise very serious concerns about where he stands on key issues like employees’ right to organize, workplace discrimination, voting rights, marriage equality, access to reproductive healthcare, and corporate responsibility.” The AFT is the parent organization of the local Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers.

The National Education Association (NEA) was similarly agitated, claiming that “Kavanaugh’s nomination threatens students’ opportunities, workers’ right to strong unions, and every American’s access to health care.” The NEA serves as the parent organization to the local and vocal Oklahoma Education Association (OEA). The OEA sends 40 percent of teacher union dues to the NEA.

Fearing “a generational transformation of our government that will entrench laws favoring the wealthy and powerful,” the NEA urges teachers to “email your senators right now and tell them to oppose Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.”

Teacher unions are so serious about stopping President Trump’s nomination of Kavanaugh that they brought a union member from one of their key battlegrounds—Oklahoma—to the confirmation hearing to deliver their message.

It’s not just Supreme Court nominees and national politics that have teacher unions up in arms. Make no mistake: they are fixated on Oklahoma politics. During Oklahoma’s primary election season, Bixby Public School administrators allowed school facilities to be used for political activities by the OEA.

In fact, union members met in schools to organize phone calls and door-to-door canvasses targeting what they referred to as a “strategic list” of voters. Asked about these activities, references to the “strategic list” were deleted from social media followed by claims they were just reminding people to vote.

What’s sad is with all the union dominance, children are suffering. Recent media reports now reveal that student performance on assessment tests actually declined due in part to the teacher strike during the testing season.

Think about that. National teacher unions encouraged their Oklahoma affiliates to strike after the teacher pay raise, classroom funding, and the tax increases for them had already passed—and the most vulnerable suffered because of it.

National unions should stop using their local Oklahoma subsidiaries to push their national leftist agenda.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Music Monday: Deep River

This week's Music Monday is an old spiritual, Deep River, performed here by Paul Robeson, an actor and singer from the first half of the 20th century. Perhaps his most famous role came in Showboat in 1936, where he sings Ol' Man River.



Enjoy!

See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

September 10th, 2018: Muleskinner Blues
September 3rd, 2018: Boomer Sooner
August 20th, 2018: Psalm 23
August 13th, 2018: Ashokan Farewell
August 6, 2018: How the West Was Won
July 23rd, 2018: I Just Can't Wait to Be King
July 16th, 2018: 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets'
July 9th, 2018: Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
July 2nd, 2018: Turn The Tide
June 25th, 2018: Good Guys Win
June 18th, 2018: Watching You
June 11th, 2018: Adoration
June 4th, 2018: March from 'A Moorside Suite'
May 28th, 2018: Taps
May 21st, 2018: Listz's La Campanella
May 14th, 2018: Handful of Weeds
May 7th, 2018: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
April 30th, 2018: Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 ("Heroic")
April 23rd, 2018: Blow Ye The Trumpet
April 16th, 2018: Asturias (Leyenda)
April 9th, 2018: Old Mountain Dew
April 2nd, 2018: His Life For Mine
March 19th, 2018: See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
March 12th, 2018: Choctaw Nation
March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee

Election Results Maps: GOP Gubernatorial runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the GOP runoff for Governor. Previously, I posted the maps for the GOP State Auditor, Attorney General, Corporation Commission, Labor Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, and State Superintendent runoffs, as well as the Libertarian gubernatorial runoff.

Kevin Stitt absolutely swamped Mick Cornett in the eastern half of the state, topping 70% in Okmulgee, Haskell, Latimer, Pushmataha, Atoka, and Choctaw counties, as well as Cimarron County in the Panhandle. He won Tulsa County by 22.3%, and won most of the rest of the Tulsa metro by over 25%.

Mick Cornett won Oklahoma County by 15.55% and Payne County by 10.7%; the remaining seven counties that he won were by an average of 4.93%.

Overall, Cornett won his nine counties by an average of 6.75%, while Stitt won his 68 counties by an average of 24.2%. Where Stitt won, it tended to be a landslide.

In the primary, Cornett won 24 counties to Stitt's 13; third-place candidate Todd Lamb won 39 counties. In the runoff, Stitt carried all but one of Lamb's counties, and flipped 16 counties that Cornett had won, in addition to winning the one county that went to Dan Fisher.

In the runoff, Stitt won 68 counties to Cornett's 9.

Poll: GOP leads OK-Gov race by 2%, wide leads elsewhere

A recent survey performed by SoonerPoll for Oklahoma's CBS affiliates (KWTV in Oklahoma City, and KOTV in Tulsa) finds a tight race for Governor, but wide leads for the Republican nominees in other races.


Governor:

Kevin Stitt (R) - 46.6%
Drew Edmondson (D) - 44.2%
Chris Powell (L) - 3.2%
Undecided/not sure - 6.0%

By far the closest race, this also has a very low undecided number. Libertarian candidate Chris Powell may well play a key role in the outcome of the 2018 gubernatorial race, depending on who he draws more from.

Digging into the cross-tabs, Stitt wins 76% of Republicans while Edmondson gets 78% of Democrats. Stitt takes 14.9% of Democrat voters, while Edmondson snags 15.6% of Republicans. Edmondson beats Stitt among Independents 50.6% to 25.6%.

Stitt leads in the 1st District (by 9.7%), 2nd District (by 16.2%), and 4th District (by 6.7%), while Edmondson leads in the 3rd District (by 10.1%) and 5th District (by 12.1%).

Lieutenant Governor:

Matt Pinnell (R) - 49.1%
Anastasia Pittman (D) - 31.0%
Ivan Holmes (I) - 4.6%
Undecided/not sure - 15.3%

Matt Pinnell leads the race for Lieutenant Governor by 18.1%, over Democrat Anastasia Pittman and former Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman Ivan Holmes, who is running as an Independent.

State Auditor:

Cindy Byrd (R) - 56.3%
John Yeutter (L) - 17.3%
Undecided/not sure - 26.4%

While John Yeutter will likely set a new record for most Libertarian votes received (thanks to a head-to-head with the Republican nominee), he trails the GOP candidate by the largest margin on the ballot. At 39%, Cindy Byrd has the largest lead in this survey.

Attorney General:

Mike Hunter (R) - 52.1%
Mark Myles (D) - 34.2%
Undecided/not sure - 13.7%

On the ballot for the first time since he infamously lost to perennial candidate Jim Rogers in the 2010 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Mark Myles trails Republican Mike Hunter by 17.9%.

State Treasurer:

Randy McDaniel (R) - 41.7%
Charles de Coune (I) - 20.3%
Undecided/not sure - 38.0%

In the other race with no Democratic candidate, State Rep. Randy McDaniel will have easy sailing to the State Treasurer's office.

State Superintendent:

Joy Hofmeister (R) - 50.6%
John Cox (D) - 31.3%
Larry Huff (I) - 9.3%
Undecided/not sure - 8.9%

In a rematch from 2014, Republican Joy Hofmeister leads by 19.3%. She defeated Cox in 2014 by 11.6%, with no Independent or third-party candidate in the mix.

Labor Commissioner:

Leslie Osborn (R) - 48.8%
Fred Dorrell (D) - 26.3%
Brandt Dismukes (I) - 6.2%
Undecided/not sure - 18.7%

Dorrell is the lowest-scoring Democrat in this poll, trailing by 22.5%, with an Independent also in the race.

Insurance Commissioner:

Glen Mulready (R) - 41.9%
Kimberly Fobbs (D) - 32.8%
Undecided/not sure - 25.3%

The closest race on the ballot, Mulready leads by 9.1%, but one-quarter of respondents are undecided.

Corporation Commissioner:

Bob Anthony (R) - 47.5%Ashley Nicole McCray (D) - 29.5%Jackie Short (I) - 8.5%Undecided/not sure - 14.5%

Bob Anthony, running for his final term in office, leads by 18%.

The scientific study was conducted September 5-10, 2018 with 407 likely voters selected at random statewide from a tri-frame of SoonerPoll’s own online panel, cell phones and landline telephones. For cell phone and landline telephones, voters are selected at random from SoonerPoll’s voter database and matched with cell and landline phone numbers. Cell phone participants are collected using live interviewers and landline participants are collected using both live interviewer and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) technology. The sample was weighted by age, political party, and congressional district in order to reflect the Oklahoma likely voter population. 

The sample reflects the traditional demographical profile of the Oklahoma likely voter with roughly half of respondents identifying as conservative. The study has a Margin of Error (MoE) of ±4.86 percent.

Election Results Map: State Superintendent runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the GOP runoff for State Superintendent. Previously, I posted the maps for the GOP State Auditor, Attorney General, Corporation Commission, Labor Commissioner, and Lieutenant Governor runoffs, as well as the Libertarian gubernatorial runoff.

Joy Hofmeister did very well west of U.S. Highway 69, particularly in the I-44 and I-40 corridors. Her strongest region was the southwest. Linda Murphy did very well in the southeast and Panhandle, but was blown out statewide and in the metros.

All told, Hofmeister won 60 counties to Murphy's 17 counties.

Election Results Map: Libertarian Gubernatorial runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial runoff . Previously, I posted the maps for the GOP State Auditor, Attorney General, Corporation Commission, Labor Commissioner, and Lieutenant Governor runoffs.

In the primary election, Chris Powell won 53 counties, while Rex Lawhorn won 16, with two counties tied between Powell/Lawhorn and one between Lawhorn/Exotic. Two counties had no votes cast.

In the runoff, Powell won 29 counties, Lawhorn won 26 counties, 9 were tied, and 13 had no votes cast. Despite the closer county tally, Powell did well where it mattered most, with large margins in the metros and counties where more than 20 Libertarians cast ballots.

32 counties had five or fewer votes cast; statewide, 926 Libertarians voted in their gubernatorial runoff.

Election Results Maps: Lt. Governor runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the Lieutenant Governor runoff . Previously, I posted the maps for the GOP State Auditor, Attorney General, Corporation Commission and Labor Commissioner runoffs.

In perhaps the most surprising turnaround from the primary, Matt Pinnell turned a 10.15% primary deficit into a 16.28% runoff victory. That's a massive swing, and the above map shows just how strongly Pinnell performed. He received 60+% of the vote in 42 of 77 counties, including three where he garnered over 70% of the vote.

In contrast, while Dana Murphy received majority votes in 16 counties and plurality leads in another 33 counties during the primary, she ended the runoff ahead in just 7 counties, and winning one of those by 0.3%.

Pinnell held every one of his counties from the primary, picking up the two that Eddie Fields had won, and flipped 42 Murphy counties to his column.

In the primary, Dana Murphy won both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros; Pinnell handily defeated her in both metros in the runoff.

Election Results Maps: Labor Commissioner runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the Labor Commissioner runoff . Last week, I posted the maps for the State Auditor and Attorney General runoffs, and yesterday I posted the GOP Corporation Commission runoff.

Cathy Costello held a 7-point lead in the primary, but ended up losing by 4.68% to Leslie Osborn. Costello did very well in the southeast, won the Tulsa metro, but Osborn handily beat her in most of the rest of the state. Multiple counties, including Oklahoma County, went Osborn's way by less than 3%, but Costello was unable to make up that deficit in the Tulsa metro.

During the primary, Costello led in 52 counties while Osborn led in 19. That was substantially reversed in the runoff. Costello ended up winning only 17 counties (two of which went to Swinton in the primary), while Osborn won 60 counties (flipping 3 Swinton counties and 37 Costello counties).

Election Board now allows voters to update address, affiliation online

New Election Board service allows voters to change registration information online

(Oklahoma City) – A new service launched this week will allow voters to update their address or party affiliation online, Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said Monday.

The system went live Monday morning on the Oklahoma State Election Board’ website at www.elections.ok.gov.

Voters who are already registered to vote may use the service to change their residential or mailing address within their current county. They may also update their party affiliation. Address changes to a new county, name changes and new voter registrations will still require a completed paper form, which can be downloaded on the website.

Legislators have authorized online voter registration in the state, however the law requires the system be tied to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s driver’s license database and includes certain technical requirements that cannot be met until the department’s computer system is upgraded. That computer system is currently being modernized, and officials are hopeful full online voter registration will be available sometime in 2020.

Election board officials worked with legislators last year to authorize the system that went live Monday as a first phase in online voter registration.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of phase one of Oklahoma’s online voter registration project, the Online Voter Registration Update service,” Ziriax said. “This new system provides a secure and convenient way for registered voters to update their address within the same county or change their party affiliation. Those wishing to make other changes to their voter registration or register to vote for the first time can do so by using a traditional voter registration application, which is available on the State Election Board website, county election board offices, tag agencies, and many other locations around Oklahoma.”

To update your information, visit www.elections.ok.gov and click the link that says, “Update Voter Registration Information Online.” 

Election Results Maps: GOP Corp. Commission runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the Corporation Commission runoff . Last week, I posted the maps for the State Auditor and Attorney General runoffs.

Bob Anthony did very well in central and northwestern Oklahoma, as well as the southern and southeastern fringe of the state. Pushmataha County was a dead tie. Bingman did well in east-central and northeastern Oklahoma, as well as southwestern Oklahoma, but lost most of the Tulsa metro excluding his old Senate District in Creek County.

Anthony won 47 counties, but lost 13 counties to Bingman that he had won in the primary. In addition to the counties that he flipped, Bingman won 16 counties.

Music Monday: Muleskinner Blues

This week's Music Monday is Muleskinner Blues, performed here by the bluegrass band Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. We heard this performed live at the Wagoner Bluegrass and Chili Festival on Saturday.



Enjoy!

See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

September 3rd, 2018: Boomer Sooner
August 20th, 2018: Psalm 23
August 13th, 2018: Ashokan Farewell
August 6, 2018: How the West Was Won
July 23rd, 2018: I Just Can't Wait to Be King
July 16th, 2018: 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets'
July 9th, 2018: Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
July 2nd, 2018: Turn The Tide
June 25th, 2018: Good Guys Win
June 18th, 2018: Watching You
June 11th, 2018: Adoration
June 4th, 2018: March from 'A Moorside Suite'
May 28th, 2018: Taps
May 21st, 2018: Listz's La Campanella
May 14th, 2018: Handful of Weeds
May 7th, 2018: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
April 30th, 2018: Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 ("Heroic")
April 23rd, 2018: Blow Ye The Trumpet
April 16th, 2018: Asturias (Leyenda)
April 9th, 2018: Old Mountain Dew
April 2nd, 2018: His Life For Mine
March 19th, 2018: See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
March 12th, 2018: Choctaw Nation
March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee