Mike McCarville
June 26th’s Republican primary elections will be a test of the strength of Al Gerhart’s Sooner Tea Party (STP).
The group has invested heavily in efforts to defeat candidates it describes as “RINOs” and in some legislative districts, is circulating a “newspaper” attacking incumbents and promoting their chosen candidates.
Paul Blair
Clark Jolley
Perhaps the hottest race involving a Sooner Tea Party candidate is in the Edmond Senate race, where incumbent Senator Clark Jolley faces an onslaught from minister Paul Blair. This campaign has taken a decidedly nasty turn, with barely-credible allegations being made by both and by an independent group funded by local energy interests and others. It’s alleged Blair’s been involved in several businesses that went belly up, implying that he’s financially irresponsible. Blair denies the allegation and offers evidence from his accountant to the contrary. Jolley’s accused of being in the pocket of business interests, while he campaigns as a conservative to counter that label used also by Blair.
Incumbent Rep. Guy Liebmann in northwest Oklahoma City faces the challenge of Mike Turner.
Midwest City Rep. Gary Banz is opposed by A J Bailey.
Elise Hall
Northwest Oklahoma City Republican first-term Rep. Elise Hall and Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel, a Democrat, also are under attack.
In House District 39, incumbent Rep. Marian Cooksey faces the challenge of Bob Dani, a Sooner Tea Party activist and one of the founders of the conservative “High Noon” club that meets regularly at H & H Gun Range in Oklahoma City.
Other STP targets include Tulsa Senator Mike Mazzei, Rep. Glen Mulready (HD68, Tulsa and Creek counties) and Senator Dan Newberry of Tulsa.
Mulready faces Sooner Tea Party candidate Darren Gantz and the allegations have been flying as primary election day nears.
Observers believe some of the STP candidates will be successful, others not so much. Given the emphasis it has placed on the race, some believe the Blair-Jolley Senate race in Edmond is the STP’s chief campaign. The backing of Gerhart for Blair may be a two-edged sword; Gerhart’s reputation as a blowhard bully is cited as a reason.
