Tulsa GOP Unites for Rally, Bartlett
A good sign for NE Oklahoma conservatives. The second largest county in the state, Tulsa County, is beginning to gel around Bartlett’s reelect.
Okie Contributor Report 8-21-13
Last weekend, the Republican Party of Tulsa County hosted a successful birthday bash marking the 159th anniversary of the Grand Ole Party, and it was celebrated in style with a rally to kick off the campaign for the re-election of Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr.
The event included Idunno the Clown, games and prizes for children, a silent auction featuring an array of Republican memorabilia, door prizes and a live auction with bidders spending up to $1,400 for dinners with Mayor Dewey Bartlett and his lovely wife, Victoria, Congressman Jim Bridenstine, Oklahoma State Chair Dave Weston, Former Oklahoma State Chair and current RNC Sate Party Director Matt Pinnell along with an autographed copy of the book “The Greatest Hoax” by United States Senator Jim Inhofe and an American flag to be flown over the US Capital on the day of the winning bidders choice.
A lively program began with Congressman Jim Bridenstine touting his devotion to and support for Mayor Bartlett’s re-election. The Congressman was not shy about pointing out that not everyone in the room supported Dewey, referring to the Kathy Taylor staff member who had paid for entrance to the event, curiously citing an affiliation to Oral Roberts University (as witnessed by many in attendance), to which he has none.
Current Tulsa City Auditor Clift Richards spoke a few moments as he is up for re-election this fall, also facing a Democratic challenger. Then Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett thanked the Republican Party for all of their hard work towards elected conservative leaders. Bartlett also mentioned his upcoming mayoral race and asked the party for their support, “We have a very good track record here in Tulsa and I want to keep a good thing going, jobs are up, crime is down, and we are working to make city government more efficient. I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as mayor and I humbly ask for your support in November.” Clearly Mayor Bartlett has no intention of easily handing over the reigns to former Mayor Kathy Taylor in November. Something that all present believe would be devastating to the outstanding progress the Tulsa community has made since her departure.
Festivities were emceed by Republican National Committeeman Steve Fair who kept things fun and worked through a long program swiftly. The crowed cheered at the announcement of all the elected officials in the room with the loudest cheers for Republican Party of Tulsa County chair, Mike McCutchin, vice chair Joanne Tyree, Mayor Dewey Bartlett and, of course, Congressman Jim Bridenstine. The room was full of Republican elected officials. From the county party level in addition to the county chair and vice chair, there was district committeewoman Amanda Teegarden, district committeeman Don Wyatt, and state committeeman T.C. Ryan, (state committee woman Joanna Francisco was not present). In attendance from Tulsa County was commissioner John Smaligo, commissioner elect Ron Peters and assessor Ken Yazel. From the state legislature, House Majority Floor Leader, Representative Pam Peterson, Representative David Brumbaugh, Representative Glen Mulready, Senator Brian Crain, Senator Nathan Dahm, and Senator Dan Newberry. Many of Congressman Bridenstine’s staff and representatives from both Governor Marry Fallin’s and Senator Jim Inhofe’s office enjoyed the birthday bash.
While not in office very long, the new county chair and vice chair are clearly organizing things at the county level quite well, creating a strong sense of teamwork among the event’s planning committee. They have a vision for where they want to see the party go, a vision supported by many of those in attendance today. Turnout for the event packed out the 5,000 square foot room and the funds raised were impressive, with a notable match up to $3,000 donated by State Senator Dan Newberry. Tulsa County GOP is ready to re-elect its leaders and is organizing boots on the ground to get out the vote in November’s election.