Mike McCarville
Brent Rinehart, the controversial former Oklahoma County commissioner soundly defeated in a 2008 reelection bid after being snared in a campaign finance scandal, is a candidate for the Republican nomination for the House in District 95.
Rinehart, also a former Oklahoma City councilman, drew fire in 2008 for a controversial “comic book” he issued. He also admitted guilt to a misdemeanor charge based on illegal contributions to his campaign. He ran third in a field of three GOP candidates when he sought reelection.
The “comic book” drew unfavorable national attention. ABC Television News reported, Political candidates looking for an edge have employed all types of cutthroat tactics to sully their opponents, from TV ads depicting nuclear war and paroled murderer-rapists to flyers alleging interracial relationships and criminal fraud. And then there was the 16-page homophobic comic book featuring Satan, angels, toga-wearing gay people and crude depictions of public officials discussing “anal sodomy” and “Pedifiles.” Brent Rinehart, an Oklahoma County Commissioner locked in a tough reelection race, spent two months creating the comic book and is preparing to send it out to registered Republicans in his district. In one panel, Satan is depicted holding a pitchfork, saying “If I can get the kids to believe homosexuality is normal!” A nearby angel replies, “Hey Satan, not with Brent around you won’t.” The book also attacks Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who filed felony campaign finance charges against Rinehart last year related to his 2004 campaign for county commissioner. Rinehart’s trial is set to begin in September. Edmondson is depicted holding a sign that says “Gay rights now!” while Rinehart’s figure blasts the attorney general for his decision to “force the Boy Scouts to accept homosexuals as scout leaders, a pedifile’s [sic] dream come true.”
Rinehart has made no announcement of his candidacy, but postcards announcing he is “Back In The Battle” are being distributed in Midwest City and although his postcard lists a website address, use of it produces nothing. He has not yet filed with the Ethics Commission.
Charlie Joyner
The District 95 seat is now held by Republican Charlie Joyner, popular retired fire chief. Joyner, 71, was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2008 and 2010.
Rinehart’s postcard mentions national political issues before stating, “Because of my watchdog constitutional stance, I was threatened, smeared and slandered. Practically ruined me personally and financialy. I never went along to get along. Not being a politician in a sea of politics is a rough ride. But I am getting back on that horse.”
[…] accused money-launderer (he eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge), and comic publisher Brent Rinehart has apparently once again decided to jump back into politics, this time seeking a seat in the state House: Rinehart has made no announcement of his candidacy, […]
You failed to mention the pictures that surfaced that appeared to show Rinehart drunk. A political wag read his flyer and misread it, “Back on the Bottle” he asked?