Commerce secretary sustained minor injuries in scooter fall
Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley
Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley was taken to the hospital this morning after she apparently fell off her scooter. Word from her staff this afternoon is that Shirley suffered minor cuts and bruises, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Nothing is broken, said Beth Schmidt, a spokeswoman for the Department of Commerce.
Shirley was riding her Vespa-type scooter to work and took a spill near NE 10th Street and Stiles Avenue. Shirley was wearing a helmet and no other vehicles were involved, Schmidt said.
Shirley was alert and talking at the scene when emergency crews arrived, Schmidt said.
Shirley was taken to the OU Medicial Center for treatment and appears to have only suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Gov. Brad Henry named Shirley the executive director of the Commerce Department in 2007.
Calvey reports more than 1,000 donors
Kevin Calvey said today he is the first among the four announced candidates for the 5th Congressional District to have more than 1,000 donors contribute to his campaign.
Calvey, who ran for the post in 2006, said the contributions come from people from all walks of life “because they are tired of business as usual in Washington, and they want a true conservative who will help get our country back on track.”
Calvey, a former Republican state representative from Del City, finished fourth among six Republicans in the 2006 GOP primary.
Calvey was among the first to announce he was in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, who won the 2006 election. Calvey announced his bid in February at the Oklahoma County Republican Convention within an hour after Fallin told the crowd she was not seeking re-election in order to run for the open spot of governor in 2010.
As of Friday, Calvey’s campaign reported it had 1,039 donors. Calvey said his donations do not come from lobbyists or powerful special interest groups with business before state legislative committees.
Others in the race are state Rep. Mike Thompson of Oklahoma City, Dr. Johnny Roy of Edmond, who finished last in the 2006 GOP primary, and Rick Flanigan of Bethany. All are Republicans. No Democrat has yet announced.
The filing period is in June.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
An oldie, but a goodie
As the discussion on the national health care debate continues with our U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn in the forefront, I thought I’d dust this one off just for comic relief. And it’s Friday afternoon and football season is fast approaching. It seemed appropriate.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, sings an Elton John song after losing a bet with Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. Apparently the two bet on their teams in last season’s national championship. I don’t have to remind those of you in Sooner nation of what happened.
Nelson apparently picked the song in honor of his 1986 space flight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUDkXON9JhE
Thompson shows early momentum
With the early favorite in the 5th Congressional District race deciding to skip the 2010 contest, state Rep. Mike Thompson continues to pick up momentum in putting together a strong fundraising team.
Fundraising is just one element in putting together a successful campaign, but a steering committee assembled by Thompson, R-Oklahoma City, certainly has a lot of clout. The final say, of course, is up to the voters and the primary is still 11 months away.
More candidates still could announce, but this week’s announcement by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett that he will seek re-election instead of running for Congress also helps Thompson. Some of those who backed Cornett in the 2006 5th District race are supporting Thompson. Cornett did well in 2006, taking then-Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin to a runoff before Fallin won the GOP nomination and went on to victory in November.
With Fallin now running for governor in 2010, it was expected several candidates would join in the scramble to succeed her. Six Republicans and two Democrats were in the 2006 race.
So far two 2006 GOP contenders, Kevin Calvey, a former state representative, and Dr. Johnny Roy, have announced they are back in the 2010 fray. Calvey finished fourth and Roy finished last.
A political newcomer, Rick Flanigan, a Republican, says he also is running.
No Democrat has announced.
Thompson, elected to the state House in 2004, has fared well raising money so far. He earlier named Larry Nichols, David Rainbolt and Tim Duit his campaign co-chairmen.
Thursday, Thompson named former Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick and Clay Bennett, team chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder, to his steering committee. Others are Dave Lopez, Mike McDonald, Kory Warr, James A. Pickel, Steve Edwards, Phil Parduhn, Kim McLendon, Brian Timberlake, Steve Young, Scott Fischer, Jim Duit, Pete Brown and Joe Warren.
Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Business owner seeks southern Oklahoma seat
Democrat Oden Grube has announced her candidacy for the state representative seat in district 21.
Grube is seeking the seat held by Rep. John Carey, D-Durant, who is not seeking reelection. Grube is the president and chief executive officer of the Gen-Star of Oklahoma Inc., which rebuilds starters and alternators.
She is also president of Southeastern Trailer Transport and the owner of Star Signs and All Star Storage facilities. Grube has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University. She has been active in politics at the Bryan County Democrat party chairman for the past eight years.
Lamb plans to make it official
Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond
It may be anti-climatic when Sen. Todd Lamb confirms/announces his bid for lieutenant governor tomorrow at locations across the state.
Throughout the legislative session, Lamb, an Edmond Republican, was coy when asked what his plans were for 2010. Of course, reporters in the press corps asked at every press conference. Maybe he just wanted to string us along? He plans to make his announcement in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Enid.
Lamb, served as the majority floor leader in the Senate this past legislative session, and is expected to announce his candidacy at 10 a.m. at the Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 4040 N. Lincoln Blvd in Oklahoma City.
Lamb will also announce his candidacy at 2 p.m. at the Tulsa Press Club, 415 S. Boston Ave., and at 5 p.m. in Enid at the Cherokee Strip Conference Center located at 123 W. Maine.
While Lamb has not formally announced his campaign, groups have been raising money for his run for lieutenant governor. His campaign chest already includes $252,633 as of reports filed June 30 with the State Ethics Commission.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau is also seeking the post vacated by Lt. Gov. Jari Askins. Askins is running for governor in 2010.
Edmond physician catches political bug
Dr. Johnny Roy, a political newcomer in 2006 when he ran for Congress, is back on the campaign trail.
Roy has scheduled a news conference today to announce he is running for the 5th Congressional District seat. Roy finished last in a six-way Republican primary in 2006 when Republican Ernest Istook opted to run for governor instead of seeking re-election. U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, who won the seat in 2006, is not seeking re-election in 2010 to run for governor.
Roy, the former chief of surgery at Edmond Medical Center, said he is qualified to tackle one of the top issues facing the country – health care.
As Congress and the president wrestle with reforming the health care system with discussions including government-run health care, “the people of Oklahoma deserve a doctor representing them in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Roy said.
“Having spent the majority of my adult life as a physician, I know how we can fix our health care system,” Roy said. “We don’t need another lawyer or career bureaucrat dealing with issues as important as your health.”
Roy is the second GOP candidate from the 2006 race to seek the 5th Congressional District seat next year. Former state Rep. Kevin Calvey announced shortly after Fallin made her decision earlier this year to run for governor.
State Rep. Mike Thompson, R-Oklahoma City, also has said he will seek the post.
No Democrat has yet announced.
In 2006 six Republicans and two Democrats filed to succeed Istook.
As part of his campaign effort, Roy said he will head up a series of free health screenings. There will be a doctor for youth exams for schools, a general physician for general needs and Roy will be giving screenings as well. Screenings are planned next week in Edmond, Oklahoma City, Shawnee and Seminole.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Miller forms exploratory committee
State Rep. Ken Miller today announced the formation of a steering committee to help him prepare for a statewide campaign for treasurer.
Miller, R-Edmond, made the announcement while House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, and state Treasurer Scott Meacham still are undecided about seeking the post. Owen Laughlin, a former state Republican senator from Woodward, said earlier he was looking at the race and would make a decision in late summer whether to seek the treasurer’s post.
Meacham, a Democrat, is looking at seeking a second four-year term or returning to the private sector. He’s also looking at the open attorney general and governor races.
Miller, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, developed close working relationships with both Benge, who appointed him committee chairman, and Meacham in preparing the state budget the past two years.
Miller, elected to the House in 2004, has taught economics at Oklahoma Christian University since 1998. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics, a master’s degree in business administration and a doctorate in political economics.
“After a great deal of discussion with state leaders, I have determined that my background in economics, finance and budgeting have provided me the preparation needed to successfully serve as state treasurer,” Miller said in a news release. “In the coming months, our steering committee will be organizing a statewide effort.”
Those serving on Miller’s steering committee include Larry Nichols, chairman and chief executive officer of Devon Energy Corp., Howard Barnett, a Tulsa businessman, former chief of staff to former Gov. Frank Keating and the Republican nominee for state treasurer in 2006, and Edmond Mayor Patrice Douglas, who is executive vice president of First Fidelity Bank.
Nichols called Miller a fiscal conservative “who will demand efficiency from state government and work to maximize the return on every tax dollar.”
Douglas said Miller has earned the public’s trust “with his integrity and understanding of the economy, budget and fiscal management.”
Others on the committee are Mark Funke, president of the Bank of Oklahoma – Oklahoma City, Harold Hamm, chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, Don Millican, chief financial officer of Kaiser-Francis Oil Co., Tom Price Jr., senior vice president of corporate development at Chesapeake Corp., David Rainbolt, CEO of BancFirst Corp. and Lew Ward, chairman of Ward Petroleum.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Meacham’s diminished role at Capitol to weigh in decision
If Scott Meacham decides not to seek re-election, his having a diminished role at the state Capitol will be a primary factor.
Regardless of who wins the 2010 gubernatorial election, Meacham, a Democrat, would see his role in state government significantly diminished because a new governor likely would select his or her own budget adviser.
Meacham, who has said two years ago he might not seek a second four-year term, is Gov. Brad Henry’s chief budget adviser and negotiator. In addition to being one of the governor’s closest friends, Meacham also is called upon the governor for his counsel on other issues. Meacham’s wife, Susan, also works in the governor’s office.
Henry, a Democrat who is in his second term and cannot seek re-election, asked Meacham, his college classmate and friend, to come to the Capitol after he took office in 2003 to serve as the state’s finance director. The state was in the midst of an economic downturn and despite little money in the state’s savings account Henry, with Meacham’s advice, was able to work with the then-Democratic-led Legislature and get the state through that year with no tax increases. The economy rebounded the next year. He helped the governor work with Republican legislative leaders when they took over the House after the 2004 elections and the Senate after the 2008 elections.
Henry appointed Meacham state treasurer in 2005 when Robert Butkin resigned the post to head up the University of Tulsa’s law school. Meacham ran in his first political campaign and won election in 2006 to a full four-year term.
Meacham has not made a decision about his future political plans. He has started a 2010 campaign account and has about $129,130 in it, according to his latest campaign report. He’s been mentioned as likely seeking re-election or a possible candidate for governor or attorney general, both open seats. Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, is running for governor. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, also a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, also are seeking the post. State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, also is running for governor.
Meacham also will have to consider the expense and time to wage a campaign as well as the effect of remaining at the Capitol would have on his family. A son starts college out of state this year. A daughter is a cancer survivor. His wife’s sister died last week. A former Elk City banker, he easily could earn twice as much if he returns to the banking field.
He’s been leaning toward leaving the Capitol for the past couple years. Asked in 2007 about his political ambitions, Meacham said he would stay in government “until I kind of do what I came to do and then I will go back to making money again.”
“At a certain point in time, you’ve done most of what you can do and then you’re just filling the office,” Meacham said then. “I don’t want to be state treasurer when I’m just filling the office, unless I can continue to kind of move the ball forward and do things to improve the office. I enjoy doing that.”
Meacham apparently was close to making an announcement about his future political plans last week. That was put off when his sister-in-law died. He returned to his office Wednesday.
Two powerful Republican House leaders are becoming anxious about when Meacham makes known his political plans. House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Ken Miller, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, would prefer Meacham announce his decision before either considers announcing interest in the post.
Benge is term limited and also is looking at a Tulsa County office and an opportunity in the private sector. Miller, R-Edmond, was elected in 2004 and earlier this week took himself out of the race to succeed Benge as speaker, leading to speculation he was interested in the treasurer’s post.
Owen Laughlin, a former state senator from Woodward who could not seek re-election in 2008 because of legislative term limits, said earlier he was looking at the race and would make a decision in late summer whether to seek the office.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Coates seeks top Senate spot after Coffee’s term ends
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole
Choosing the next Senate President Pro Tempore just got interesting.
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole announced today that he plans to run for top Senate spot in 2010, when current Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee’s term is up.
Coates says his diverse and professional background will help the Oklahoma Senate move forward.
Coates says in the Senate, he has worked to build consensus based on promoting common sense legislation that earned the support and respect of both Republicans and Democrats.
“In these difficult times, it’s more important than ever that we have leaders who know who to deal with a wide range of issues — not just in terms of creating public policy, but also understanding how it impacts our friends and neighbors back home,” Coates said.
“I’m not a career policitian. I’m a businessman and father who believes in straight talk and honesty as well openness and transparency in government.”
Now this is where it gets interesting. To get the top spot, Coates first needs to get reelected in 2010. Coates was first elected to the Senate in 2002, a predominantly Democrat area of the state. He was unopposed in his next bid to represent that district.
Then Coates has to hope makeup of the Senate doesn’t change too much with the next election. Five senators are term limited in 2010 and half of the other senators are up for re-election.
In the past legislative session, Coates wasn’t known to march lock step with the Republican majority. In fact on a handful of key issues, like immigration and chief information officer, Coates voted with Democrats.
In the vote to oppose the chief information officer bill, Coates was the lone Republican to vote against the bill that would allow the privatization of the state’s computer’s systems.
Coates would likely have support from Democrats when the full Senate meets, but there’s a long road to travel between today and the beginning of the 2011 session — and a few elections to won or lost in between.
