Oklahoma Democrats

Filing is over, and the candidates came out of the woodwork at the last minute to challenge for a number of posts. Some of those who had hinted they were not going to run, such as Gary Jones for Auditor (again), decided their participation was vital to the future well-being of the Nation and filed anyway. Others that many had hoped would run, like Judge Rod Ring here in Norman, opted out.

The GOP may have made a strategic mistake in fielding candidates in some VERY strong Democratic areas, and the incumbent Democrats in those spots are going to run full throttle to get out the vote. This may help the state candidates in a tight race. Add to that places like Cleveland County  where we are going to have 15 (yes, 15!) judicial  candidate campaigns underway for the primary, and  and turnout might be spiked in both the primary contests and the general.

There is a vast difference in how the nominees are selected by the two parties-the GOP contest is really about a 20 county race, the Democrats are selected in a much more rural and eastern Oklahoma setting. Candidates need to focus on where the local races will drive turnout. The end result is some locales will see a lot more of the candidates than others.

The most interesting thing to watch out for this cycle will be independent expenditures, with recent Supreme Court rulings having an impact on corporate America’s ability ro directly impact who gets elected. The voters can resent the “outside” influences if alerted to what is going on, but it takes money to deliver that message also. Does anyone not think the chicken waste polluters are not going to go after Drew Edmondson for his brave battle to save the rivers and lakes of Oklahoma? Hide and watch.

My last thought is I sure wish organized labor and other groups had spent all that money they did in Arkansas against a Democrat  here in Oklahoma against a Republican . They could have run informational ads about what a bad job Tom Coburn  or  some of our GOP House members do in looking out for  the immediate needs of Oklahoma-maybe then we could have put those seats more into play.  Why not pick your fights with people who are NEVER on your side?? We sure could have used the help here in redstateville.

-Ben Odom

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