Reynolds now waits for judge’s decision
Sen. Jim Reynolds remained the top vote getter in the recount for Senate District 43, which includes Oklahoma and Cleveland counties.
But it’s not smooth sailing from here. Now, a judge will decide whether there is any validity to voter irregularitiy claims made by Democrat challenger David Boren. That hearing is set for Monday afternoon in an Oklahoma County District Court. Things could get really interesting if Boren or his attorney ask for continuance. Newly elected lawmakers are supposed to be sworn in Tuesday afternoon.
Until the irregularities accusations are cleared up, the state election board can’t certify the results in Senate District 43. Without certified results, the winner can’t be sworn in.
Boren, a nurse who is not related to former Oklahoma governor David Boren, was the top vote getter in Oklahoma County. Reynolds, with eight years in the Senate under his belt, was the top vote getter in Cleveland County and beat Boren by 159 votes, according to recount totals.
When reached by phone after the recount results, Reynolds was careful with his words. While he was glad to remain the winner, the recount is just one step in clearing up the results of the election.
If anything, this election may have reminded lawmakers that voters and politics are fickle.
Oklahoma Senate Democrats executive director Ward Curtin had this to say about the race: “I think it sent a message. I don’t think we’ll have incumbents just sitting on their hands next time.”
Julie Bisbee
Capitol Bureau
Reynolds, Boren recount
The race between Jim Reynolds and David Boren in Senate District 43 never stops being interesting.
Democrat newcomer David Boren (no, not that David Boren) gave Reynolds a scare in the Nov. 4 election when he picked up 49 percent of the vote in a district that includes parts of Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. Reynolds won with 50.3 percent of the vote in unofficial vote totals.
Reynolds, a Republican from Oklahoma City, has been in the Senate eight years. He’s championed conservative causes and pro-family legislation. The results of the election might have shook him up a little.
Boren, a nurse who works nights and campaigned during the day, got a last minute cash infusion to his campaign that seemed to be gathering speed. Either it was the name confusion factor that helped him or the 7,000 doors he claims to have knocked before the election but he picked up a significant portion of the votes.
Now the men await the results of a recount in two counties. Cleveland County finished up their totals Wednesday. Oklahoma County will resume Thursday morning.
Among other things, this race is a display of contrasts. Boren petitioned the court for a recount in what appeared to a petition he typed up himself.
In court on Wednesday, Reynolds was flanked by his brother, Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, and Republican State Party Chairman Gary Jones.
Boren arrived to court nearly an hour late after attending a similar hearing in Cleveland County. He represented himself before Oklahoma County District Judge Daniel Owens and even managed to successfully convince the State Supreme Court to assign a new judge to the case.
Republicans often bemoan the fact that attorneys are the primary donors to Democratic campaigns. But it seems on Wednesday, that the party that benefits from attorney donations couldn’t find an attorney among its members to represent Boren.
Maybe Boren didn’t want the help or couldn’t afford it. Or maybe it was a case that an attorney didn’t think was winnable or had much merit. Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes says Boren and his camp didn’t ask for help in the recount crusade.
Boren has a hearing on Monday on allegations he made of voting irregularities, perhaps he’s asked for help in his legal represenation in that case. Otherwise, it could be another ironic contrast.
Oklahoma Magazine names top political blogs
The November issue of Oklahoma Magazine has highlighted the top political blogs for Oklahoma politics this year. While might be taking a breather after the elections, these will be good spots to check again at the Legislative session gets underway in February.
Sadly, this blog didn’t make the list. Sniff, sniff.
But a bunch of blogs did, including a blog that’s often talked about in the Capitol, The McCarvile Report Online. Other blogs on the list include Batesline and the Oklahoma Women’s Network Blog.
Go to the Oklahoma Magazine’s web site and check out their list and see all the blogging that’s going on in the state. And then when you’ve decided to paste your favorites in your browser, don’t forget us.
This blog will be a way for readers to get an in-depth at how lawmakers are doing the people’s business…and all that other interesting stuff that goes on during the session.
Julie Bisbee
Capitol Bureau
New seats at the table
The returning 89 and 12 freshman members of the state House of Representatives will be treated to new chairs in four committee rooms at the state Capitol.
The House paid about $39,000 for 77 swiveling office chairs on casters and to put new coverings on five benches, said Jennifer Monies, spokeswoman for House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.
The chairs replace ones that did not swivel or tilt and were not on casters, she said. As a result, the chairs were dragged and tilted, and over the years caused the chairs to become structurally unsound.
The new chairs are covered with a leather-looking material and are made of industrial strength products, she said. They are designed to withstand up to 100,000 uses before showing wear.
The chairs were made by JSI, an Indiana commercial furniture manufacturer on the federal government’s list of approved suppliers, and were bought through an Oklahoma City store, DeskPlus.
The chairs and improved benches were for committee rooms 412A, B and C and for 512A, where the House Democratic Caucus meets. No new furnishings were bought for Room 432A, where the House Republicans, who hold the majority 61 to 40, hold their caucus meetings.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Are no gifts a good thing?
Is banning gifts from lobbyists and lobbyist employers to Oklahoma legislators and state officials a good thing?
Lobbyists have said buying meals for legislators gives them a chance to develop relationships and to have some time talk about bills or issues.
But are some legislators abusing the process? Meals paid for by lobbyists according to their reports filed with the state Ethics Commission seem reasonable, costing between $5 to $35. But lobbyists also have reported spending anywhere from $80 to more than $200 for a dinner for a legislator.
Ethics commissioners have been studying this issue the past couple years. They’ve reduced this year the maximum amount that can be spent on legislators and their employees and state officials – from $300 a year to $100 a year.
A proposal submitted to the commission calls for banning all “things of value,” which includes meals, tickets to concerts and sporting events and gifts. A public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the city hall in downtown Ponca City.
In Minnesota, legislators, state officials and state employees are banned from receiving most gifts.
Gary Goldsmith, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, said his agency, which is comparable to Oklahoma’s ethics commission, did not have to increase staffing after the rule took effect, although there was “a little additional load” to address questions. His agency totals nine employees, but is down one because of budget cuts.
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has seven employees; its duties are similar to Minnesota’s agency in that it is in charge of campaign finance and regulations at the state level, public disclosure of financial interests of public officials and lobbying regulations and disclosure.
The rule is so well known now that “we have very few enforcement actions,” he said.
Legislators and officials usually call if they have a question about whether a gift would be acceptable, he said. The rule prohibits lobbyists or a lobbyist employer from giving gifts to officials, but there are exceptions, such as a plaque with a resale value of $5 or less or a trinket or memento which costs $5 or less.
As in Oklahoma, the obligation to report gifts falls on lobbyists.
“We assume that there is good compliance because people aren’t reporting violations,” Goldsmith said. “We also assume there’s good compliance because we still get lots of calls about gifts, even little tiny things that might be given. We don’t get filed formal complaints, hardly ever, about the gift prohibits.
“There’s an attitude out there that we have this prohibition in place and we all understand it and we’re bound by it and we don’t have any choice in the matter,” Goldsmith said.
What do you think?
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Governor not yet ready for the bench
Gov. Brad Henry says he won’t be trading in a business suit for judicial robes anytime soon.
Since the governor endorsed Barack Obama for president in April, it’s been speculated Henry may be trying to get some type of federal post if the U.S. senator from Illinois won the White House.
And when Henry accepted Obama’s invitation to watch election returns with him Tuesday night in Chicago, that speculation increased.
Henry on Thursday said he never talked with Obama about any post. He said he intends to fill the remaining 26 months of his term, saying he enjoys being governor.
And unlike his cousin, Robert Henry, who is chief judge of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, the governor didn’t show much interest when asked about a federal judgeship.
“I have no desire to be a judge at least at this stage in my life,” he said.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Edmondson continues to ponder race
“Dan Boren would have been a formidable candidate and would make an excellent governor,” said Edmondson, who’s up for re-election in 2010.
“I’m pleased that he is continuing his valuable service in Congress,” Edmondson said.
Boren is the only Democrat among Oklahoma’s seven-member delegation (five House members and two senators) and “his influence is going to be dramatic” in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, Edmondson said.
Edmondson said he won’t make a decision until the Illinois River case is resolved. He’s sued poultry companies over alleged poultry litter pollution of the river in eastern Oklahoma. A trial is set for September.
In his fourth term, Edmondson said he’s looking at the gubernatorial race seriously and gauging the level of support “which translates into fundraising.”
Edmondson, elected attorney general in 1994, has nearly $225,000 in his 2010 re-election committee fund; that money could be transferred to a campaign for governor.
Boren, D-Muskogee, who easily won a third term in the House in Tuesday’s elections, said Wednesday he was not running for governor in 2010 to cut off speculation that, he said, would distract him and potential candidates.
Other Democratic gubernatorial candidates are Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and state Treasurer Scott Meacham. Likely GOP contenders are U.S. Reps. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma City and Tom Cole of Moore.
All have said they plan to announce a decision next year.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Governor asks for cooperation
Now that the election is over, it’s time for Oklahomans to put side their differences and get along, Gov. Brad Henry said today.
“No matter which candidate or party won or lost a particular race, we must remember that we are all Americans and Oklahomans first,” Henry said in a statement he issued from Chicago, where he was invited by the winner of Tuesday’s presidential election, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, to watch election returns.
“We face difficult challenges ahead, and it is imperative that we work together to address those challenges and ensure the future prosperity of our state and country,” Henry said. “I look forward to working with the Obama administration to address the many challenges that confront our nation in these difficult times.”
Henry also said he is eager to work with the new members of Oklahoma’s Legislature.
Republicans captured the Senate for the first time in Oklahoma history, according to Tuesday’s unofficial returns, and Republicans expanded their majority in the House, picking up four seats to build a 61 to 40 majority.
“I want to personally congratulate the victorious candidates on both sides of the aisle and wish them well in the public service ahead,” Henry said. “My door is open to anyone who is interested in moving our state forward in a bipartisan manner. ”
Henry congratulated Senate co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, who is expected to be elected Senate leader for the upcoming legislative session.
“I look forward to working with him in his new leadership role and am certain that we can accomplish great things for the state of Oklahoma,” the governor said.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Henry to be with Obama tonight
Gov. Brad Henry will be watching election returns tonight in Chicago with the man he endorsed for president seven months ago and voted for in Oklahoma’s presidential primary nine months ago.
The campaign of Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama invited Henry and several other Democratic governors to join the candidate at his official watch party in Chicago.
Henry, who earlier voted in today’s general election by absentee ballot, is to leave Oklahoma today and return Wednesday, said the governor’s spokesman, Paul Sund. First lady Kim Henry is going with him.
State taxpayers won’t be paying for the governor’s trip, Sund said. The trip will be paid for with money in the governor’s 2006 campaign fund, which had about $277,000 remaining as of Sept. 30. Henry, who cannot seek a third term because of gubernatorial term limits, is not taking the state airplane, Sund said.
Henry endorsed Obama in April while Obama was involved in a tough primary battle with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. She won 55 percent of the votes in Oklahoma’s Feb. 5 presidential primary. Obama won 31 percent.
When he endorsed Obama, Henry called him an inspirational leader and one who is “ideally suited” to bring together Democrats, independents and Republicans.
Henry had hoped Obama, who made a campaign stop in March 2007 in Oklahoma City, would have visited Oklahoma before today’s election, but the Obama campaign kept the candidate mostly in key battleground states.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
