#OK04 Former President Donald Trump endorsed @TomColeOK04 for re-election pic.twitter.com/YLVD7LP7dw
— Reese Gorman (@reesejgorman) June 27, 2022
🙄 Because of course.
Today is the Oklahoma Primary Election. If you haven't voted yet, you have until 7:00pm to cast your ballots. If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.
Here are some links to various posts and additional resources about the primary candidates that you may find helpful.
Both the Republican Party of Tulsa County and the Oklahoma County Republican Party Chairman have come out in support of reelecting State Auditor Cindy Byrd, with the OK County Chairman calling for Steve McQuillen to drop out of the race.
You can read more from Oklahoma County GOP Chairman Ken Warner over at IgniteLiberty.
From the Tulsa County GOP:
This information is very important for all registered voters, particularly since redistricting took effect this year:
State Election Board Offers Tips, Reminders for Oklahoma Voters
(Oklahoma City) – Voters head to the polls Tuesday for the statewide primary and several nonpartisan elections. The State Election Board offers these tips and reminders to Oklahoma voters ahead of the June 28 Election.
What if university leaders managed colleges like a business and treated students like valuable customers? It appears the board of regents at the University of Oklahoma may be taking that approach.
After former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels took the helm at Purdue University, officials froze tuition rates in 2013. They have not raised them since. Daniels’ leadership proves university officials can keep costs down and provide a quality education.
But it has been a different story at the University of Oklahoma, where OU President Joseph Harroz sought this week to increase student tuition by another 3 percent. That increase would have come on top of, and compounded, the impact of last year’s 2.75-percent tuition increase.
The lies of dark money have been hitting conservative candidates across the state. These attacks include accusations that truly conservative candidates have ties to groups like BLM and other left-wing movements.
This leads us to the latest attacks against conservative 2nd District Congressional candidate Josh Brecheen, a man with one of the most conservative records during his two terms in the State Senate.
Following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade and related abortion cases, Oklahoma Democratic legislative leaders are joining gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister in bewailing the fact that they can no longer murder babies in Oklahoma.
"The sky is falling", don't you know?
Read on for their extreme hysteria at the thought:
Sheriffs Across Oklahoma Endorse John O'Connor For Attorney General
Tulsa, OK - Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has always stood with law enforcement.
Today, sheriffs across the state have released a message for Oklahomans urging them to support John O'Connor on Tuesday, June 28.
Tuesday is the Oklahoma Primary Election, and voters all across the state will be heading to the polls to decide nominees in many different races. Hopefully the information in this post will be helpful with your voting plans.
If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.
Below are a few of my voting picks. Work and other commitments prevented me from getting into more detail on most of these races, but here are some basic thoughts.
 |
| Click to view larger |
RINO-turned Democrat Joy Hofmeister continues to reveal her true colors now that she's running for Governor as a Democrat.
While Oklahomans celebrate the confirmation by the Supreme Court that Roe v. Wade has always been unconstitutional, Hofmeister says she'll fight to "restore" the fight to murder babies in the womb:
"i'Ve NoT cHaNgEd My VaLuEs SiNcE sWiTcHinNg To DeMoCrAt"
— Jamison Faught (@JamisonFaught) June 24, 2022
Joy Hofmeister is, and always has been, a con-woman fraud: https://t.co/jMvrXOSOwj #okgov https://t.co/essZnAvfcY
"The court’s decision today means millions of Oklahoma women have lost agency over their own lives and health care.
We will fight to get it back. And we will ensure Oklahoma has a governor who will protect women and doctors. Today is a day to be strong. I will not be deterred."
I detailed more about Hofmeister's con act in this post, Hofmeister's Long Con: running for Gov as the Dem she's always been.
Not everyone who proclaims themselves to be a conservative (like Hofmeister did in 2014) is actually a conservative. As I posted the other day, a lot of them are frauds.
Reject Hofmeister.
While this is something to praise God for, the fight is not over. The right to live on God's green earth as He has given life is not a right that can be legislated by a governing body, or bestowed by a court. It is a natural right given to us by our Creator, and we will continue pressing on until abortion is abolished from sea to shining sea, and beyond.
Across the state, elected officials and leaders are praising the death of Roe. I'll try to update this post with additional statements throughout the day as they come in.
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following his no vote on the Safer Communities Act, the proposed gun legislation being rushed through the Senate this week:
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 22, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt released the following response to President Joe Biden’s proposal for a three-month federal gas tax holiday:
WASHINGTON, DC (June 22nd) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) provided opening remarks during a Senate Finance Committee markup of the Enhancing American Retirement Now (EARN) Act, also known as SECURE 2.0. The bill includes Lankford’s Enhancing Emergency and Retirement Savings Act, Improving Access to Retirement Savings Act and Military Spouses Retirement Security Act. The bill passed the committee unanimously.
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 21, 2022) – An extensive investigation into Epic Charter Schools by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has uncovered significant problems, including dubious attendance data that may have resulted in $780,000 in improperly obtained state funds and the improper disbursal of more than $8.5 million in bonuses to school administrators. The investigation was prompted by a complaint made against Epic in December 2021 by a former member of Epic’s governing board, Community Strategies Inc.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said she will recommend in the coming weeks that the State Board of Education place the virtual charter on probation and require it to undergo comprehensive corrective action. Findings in the OSDE report will also be shared with law enforcement to determine if further action is warranted.
US Air Force Brigadier General Ben Robinson Endorses Attorney General John O’Connor
Tulsa, OK – The momentum continues to build for conservative Attorney General John O’Connor as retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier, and former Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, General Ben Robinson proudly endorsed him today.
Among the Republican candidates in the super crowded, 14-member 2nd Congressional District race is State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee), who is posturing himself as a super-conservative next-gen MAGA warrior intent on storming Washington.
Frix, elected to the State House in 2016, may be a registered Republican, but he's by no means a super-conservative. In fact, on many issues, he's simply not conservative. At all. Let me give you almost seven billion reasons why.
Early Voting for Primary Election Begins [Today]
(Oklahoma City, June 21st) – Early voting for the June 28 Primary Election begins Thursday at 8 a.m. Republican and Democratic primaries will take place, along with several nonpartisan elections in many counties.
OCPA staff seek dismissal of abusive court filings
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 22, 2022)— In filings today, four employees of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs asked for the immediate dismissal of protective-order petitions filed against them by state Rep. Anthony Moore’s spouse. The motions show that the petitions fail to meet the requirements needed for a valid protective order.
Longtime conservative Republican activist and columnist Steve Fair is out with a defense of State Auditor Cindy Byrd that is well worth the read:
 |
| Steve Fair, conservative activist |
BYRD DESERVES SECOND TERM! DON'T BELIEVE LIES!
The U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision, which effectively declared much of eastern Oklahoma remains tribal reservation land, prompted some tribal officials to embrace separatism.
In 2021, a Muscogee (Creek) Nation official told NonDoc the difference between the Muscogee chief and the governor of Oklahoma is that one is the “head of a nation” while the other is “just the head of the state.”
That’s grandiose, at best. David Hill was elected Muscogee principal chief with 3,399 votes. Kevin Stitt was elected Oklahoma governor with 644,579 votes.
On a similar note, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. recently banned display of the Oklahoma flag on Cherokee property. But Hoskin’s action drew swift rebuke from other Cherokees. [see article here]
When announcing he was reversing course, Hoskin said he had “heard from many Cherokee citizens” and “the vast majority were opposed” to his flag order. Many were concerned it “further divided the state and the tribe.”
Put simply, there was a huge gap between Cherokee leadership and Cherokee citizens, most of whom do not view their home state with hostility.
It’s not shocking that gap exists. Few Cherokees are directly involved in tribal government. The tribe reports over 400,000 individuals are Cherokee citizens, but less than 14,000 voted in the last election for tribal chief. (Similar trends are also notable for the Muscogee Nation, which claims 86,100 citizens.)
Most Cherokees don’t embrace a worldview pitting them against their non-Indian neighbors and family members.
That contrasts with many comments from some tribal leaders. When the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs called for McGirt to be reversed, which would simply ensure all Oklahomans are treated the same under the law as had been the case for the prior century, Muscogee leadership responded with “see you on the battlefield.”
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation now argues all Muscogee citizens living on the tribe’s reservation—including most of Tulsa—are exempt from state taxes. Hoskin has also indicated support for that position. If that view prevails, it could reduce state funding for things like roads and schools by more than $200 million, if not more.
As state Sen. John Michael Montgomery has noted, if tribal citizens don’t pay Oklahoma taxes “there’s a pretty compelling argument to be said: ‘Why are we still funding things in areas if they’re not going to be paying taxes on services for those areas?’”
The challenges created by McGirt extend well beyond flag displays. Rather than equal treatment, what is occurring under McGirt is different treatment based on heritage and physical location—and that disparate treatment is harming people, including tribal citizens.
Most Cherokees understand we are all Oklahomans, even if some of their leaders do not. If those Cherokee citizens’ view prevails, the challenge of working out state-tribal differences will become much easier.
Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.
DURANT (June 20th) – A self-term limited former State Senator, Josh Brecheen is running for Oklahoma's 2nd District Congressional seat and says he's not surprised at the news of an extremely well-financed radio attack ad by out-of-state political interests. Brecheen said, "This is proof that we are doing well in the polls. The Establishment knows we are a threat to the status quo."
We're in the home stretch of the GOP primary, and new campaign ads will be coming out daily:
Tulsa, OK (June 18th) – Today, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor released a new ad highlighting his conservative accomplishments that include fighting against President Joe Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandates, along with the support of the National Right to Life and the National Rifle Association.
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 16th) — I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike will begin its transition to PlatePay on the mainline between Lawton and Oklahoma City on Tuesday, the first of three H.E. Bailey turnpike sections converting to cashless tolling.
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 16th) - Attorney General John O’Connor filed charges today consistent with a multi-county grand jury indictment against two Oklahoma attorneys accused of facilitating illegal medical marijuana operations.
Tulsa, OK (June 16th) – Today, Barry Goldwater Jr. has endorsed conservative Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.
There's some phenomenal reporting this morning from the Tulsa World's Randy Krehbiel on the State Auditor's race: Dark money campaign hits state auditor race. You simply have to read the whole thing.
Oklahoma has a political swamp, a deep state, that controls a lot of what goes on politically. There are interconnected fingers between dark money, consultants, campaigns, and elected officials. And now the knives are out for State Auditor Cindy Byrd, who must be removed before she does them more damage.
UNION CITY, Okla. (June 16th) – Navigating holidays is an emotional journey for Robert Rivard.
“Holidays are tough,” inmate Rivard said. “I miss my family so desperately.”
Among the 1.2 million people in federal and state prison, 92% are fathers. This Father’s Day, Oklahoma’s incarcerated are getting reconnected.
One year ago, Securus Technologies and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) began distributing free digital tablets to 22,000 inmates. The tablets represent a critical update to communications and technology.
Quinn is one of 14 candidates for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Washington County, with its county seat of Bartlesville, is a brand-new addition to the District following redistricting, and will play a crucial role this primary in the election of the next congressman.
After receiving overwhelming backlash from within the Cherokee Nation, Hoskin has now reversed course. From The Frontier reporter Reese Gorman:
The Legislature continues to work through the "inflation relief" special session. After some initial deadlock, it appears that the Governor and House have mended fences to a degree, but the Senate is a different story.
Two press releases, one from the House on top and one from the Governor below:
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 15th) – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has announced his appointments for a tax reform working group to study proposals in relation to the ongoing special session.
A former staffer for Sen. Tom Coburn and an ex-state senator (2010-2018), Brecheen is one of 14 Republicans running for the 2nd District seat. Club for Growth had a lengthy history of backing Dr. Coburn's political and legislative efforts, so in one sense this could be a final favor to the good doctor, whose widow, Carolyn, has endorsed Brecheen.
Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor has an op-ed over at Ignite Liberty addressing the issue of "nonbinary" birth certificates and his role in stopping them.
O'Connor is running for a full term as AG, having been appointed last July by Governor Stitt to complete disgraced Attorney General Mike Hunter's term after Hunter resigned. Read his column below:
We're now less than two weeks from the 2022 primary election, so I thought I'd write my take on the two most competitive and crowded races attracting attention in the state.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Attorney General John O’Connor has joined a coalition of 26 state attorneys general calling on President Joe Biden to withdraw the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new guidance on sex discrimination for schools and programs that receive federal nutritional assistance. The coalition says recent guidance from the USDA imposes new—and unlawful—regulatory measures on state agencies and operators receiving federal financial assistance from the USDA.
RYAN WALTERS, CANDIDATE FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT, LAUNCHES STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN AD
(June 13th) - Beginning today the Ryan Walters for State Superintendent campaign launched a statewide ad buy on both broadcast and cable titled “Conservative Choice.” In the ad, Walters highlights his plan to fix Oklahoma schools by fighting for school choice, banning CRT, and protecting women’s sports.
Michael Bates, the bonafide "elder statesman" of Oklahoma's conservative blogosphere (with a blog dating back to 2003), is out with an informational mega-post on the GOP Senate primary for the seat being vacated mid-tern by Jim Inhofe. In it, Bates presents some basic details about the candidates, along with links to campaign sites and further information.
Bates makes the case that absentee voters, especially conservatives, should hold off on picking a candidate just yet:
Tulsa, Oklahoma—Americans for Prosperity’s Oklahoma chapter (AFP-OK) has endorsed Ryan Walters for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma-based public affairs firm Amber Integrated has released two surveys measuring attitudes about the current political environment and the upcoming primary and general elections in Oklahoma.
Gentner Drummond Worked To Defeat Dr. Tom Coburn
Tulsa, OK (June 13th) – Before he donated $1,000 to elect Joe Biden to the White House, Gentner Drummond gave $1,000 to defeat Dr. Tom Coburn.
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 13th) – House Republicans introduced a slate of inflation relief bills in special session Monday, reiterating their support for helping Oklahomans overcome the rising cost of goods and services.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 10th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and 31 of his colleagues today pushed back on a proposed rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would place unworkable climate disclosure regulations on farmers, ranchers and agriculture producers. The Senators’ called on the SEC to rescind the overreaching proposal, which would require publicly-traded companies to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports. The rule would impose extensive new, complex, and burdensome greenhouse gas reporting requirements on all entities within a company’s value chain, including farmers and ranchers who fall outside of the SEC’s congressionally-provided authority.
Through a new executive order, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. has prohibited display of the state flag of Oklahoma at tribal facilities.
Hoskin’s executive order declares that the chief of staff of the Cherokee Nation shall “cause all flags of the State of Oklahoma to be removed from Cherokee Nation properties” by Sept. 1.
It’s the latest indication that some tribal officials and activists do not consider themselves citizens of Oklahoma now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled their tribal reservations were never disestablished, creating numerous jurisdictional questions on everything from public safety to taxation.
