Editor’s Note: We have made a correction to this story. In paragraph five, we originally listed Mr. Hendershot as a lobbyist principal. While ethics rules do define lobbyist principal as either a person or entity, Hendershot is considered an owner of the entity, but not a lobbyist principal. We also noted in the lead paragraph Hendershot made the donations as an individual.
It appears a business owner advocating for a liquor reform bill has given donations to lawmakers during the legislative session. Bryan Hendershot, the owner of Boardwalk Distribution, has been lobbying for the passage of Senate Bill 608, which would compel wine and spirits manufacturers to offer the top selling products to all distributors in Oklahoma for the same price. According to Oklahoma Ethics Commission filings, Boardwalk Distribution has hired four registered lobbyists, and Hendershot has donated to the campaigns, as an individual, of at least three lawmakers while the session was underway.
According to public contribution reports Hendershot contributed $1,500 to Rep. Rusty Cornwell on March 8, 2019. Another report shows Rep. Brad Boles received $1,500 from Hendershot on February 16, 2019. A third report indicates the businessman gave House Majority Whip Rep. Terry O’Donnell $2,700 on February 15, 2019. This year’s session started on February 4.
O’Donnell also sits on the House Judiciary Committee which heard SB 608 last week. After a committee substitute which put the title back on the bill to make it a “live round,” the committee passed the bill 16 to one.
Hendershot is the owner of Boardwalk Distribution. It is considered a lobbyist principal because the company has hired lobbyists who work with legislators. Hendershot made the donations as an individual.
The Tulsa World reported on April 3, Hendershot was working to push back recent reforms which have limited his company’s access to top brands. He has claimed a loss of $100 million in sales since Oklahoma put liquor reform laws in place.
The screenshots below are from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission Guardian records website and show donations made by Hendershot after the current legislative session began.
