For Gary Jones, Less Is More

By Mike McCarville

If you approach any of the numerous offices of the state auditor and inspector outside the Capitol, you won’t find the occupant’s name on the door. Nor will, once inside, you find a photograph of the occupant. And if you get a letter from him, you won’t find his name printed on the letterhead.

Gary Jones says there’s a reason for that: “The office belongs to the citizens, not me.”

Jones breaks tradition in declining to have his name and photo in all the seven offices (four in Oklahoma City, and one each in Ada, Weatherford and Tulsa); his predecessors adorned their office doors and walls with their names and images (as is the norm for most state officials).

Jones’ Capitol office does have his name on the door, and there’s a small photo.

The former Republican State chairman (2003-2010), who won the auditor’s office on his third try, and on a shoestring budget, has cut the office budget since taking office a year ago: “We take pride in accomplishing more with a smaller budget with mostly the same staff,” Jones said.

Jones unsuccessfully sought the office in both 2002 and 2006, losing both times to Jeff McMahan.

After the 2006 race, McMahan was indicted, convicted, and sent to prison for eight years for bribery and conspiracy involving a scheme to steal the 2002 election using straw donors to fund his campaign. His wife also was convicted and others were ensnarled in the scheme. Much of the information developed by federal prosecutors was first revealed by Jones.