State Republican Chairman Gary Jones announced a new web site today detailing the extreme liberal positions of State Senator Andrew Rice, the only announced opponent to Republican Senator Jim Inhofe.

Using a Halloween theme, Jones started AndrewRicesWeb.com calling Rice’s liberal connections “the spookiest fright of this Halloween.”

Labels: Andrew Rice, Democrat Fact Check, Gary Jones

Posted at 9:36 AM |   

Message from Chairman Jones:

Last week in downtown OKC there was a small rally in support of a bill that would expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The rally was held in front of Rep. Mary Fallin’s office. Nathaniel Batchelder, speaking for the groups behind the rally, said, “we need Rep. Fallin to override Bush’s veto and stand up for our kids.”

It seems like everyone’s motto these days is “it’s about the kids.” If this SCHIP program were really about our kids’ future, however, we wouldn’t expand government spending and put our children further in debt.

As Congresswoman Fallin put it: “ I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t agree with the basic premise that poor children should have access to quality medical care… the conflict is over how great an expansion of SCHIP the federal government can responsibly sustain.”

The real facts back up Fallin’s stance:

The proposed SCHIP expansion would allow and strongly encourage States to provide government health coverage for children in families making 300% of the Federal poverty level, or almost $62,000 for a family of four. Furthermore, Congress' bill would enable SCHIP to cover children in some households with incomes of up to 400% of the Federal poverty level (about $83,000 per year).

Of the 5.8 million enrollees Congress' legislation would attract by 2012, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that 2.0 million would drop private insurance to enroll, moving us closer to a nanny-state government that Democrats envision.

Democrats would like to point the finger at Republicans and make the outlandish claim that we are against children if we don't support this bill. Unfortunately for Democrats, the facts just aren’t on their side.

Related:

Community Action Project: SCHIP Issue Brief

The Collegian: SCHIP veto a democratic disaster

Labels: Gary Jones, OKGOP

Posted at 3:40 PM |   

Labels: Decision '08, Gary Jones

Posted at 12:14 PM |   

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 8, 2007) With Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visiting Oklahoma this upcoming Saturday evening, Gary Jones and the State Republican Party have created a handy “Pandering Guide” for her convenience.

“Hillary has a long and painful history of pandering to people she knows nothing about,” said Jones. “So for her visit to Oklahoma, we thought it would be a nice gesture to provide her some pandering guidelines for our great state.”

Oklahoma Pandering Guide 101:

Number 1: Don’t wear our crimson and cream or orange, black and white
You may have gotten away with wearing a Yankees hat when you campaigned in New York, but it’s not going to work here in Oklahoma. Stick with what you know: liberal east coast elitistism.

Number 2: Please don’t try the southern drawl again
Your southern drawl that you pulled out on your stop in Selma, Alabama was more than a little embarrassing. Oklahomans can tell real quick if you aren’t from around here. So you probably should keep that in your back pant suit pocket.

Number 3: Speaking of pant suits

You’ve been criticized on the campaign trail for some of your pretentious pant suit ensembles. Let me stop you before you even think about entering Oklahoma in a pair of Wranglers and a cowboy hat.

Number 4: Your love for tax increases
We know you want to raise taxes on everything from businesses to personal income. However, that stance isn’t going to score you any points in Oklahoma. We want our tax burden to be lower, not higher. That’s why all 77 counties in Oklahoma went for George W. Bush in 2004, and why even Oklahoma’s lone Democrat Congressman Dan Boren predicted you won’t win Oklahoma.

Number 5: Last, but certainly not least, socialized healthcare
We’ve heard you are still pursuing a step-by-step plan to achieve nationalized Health Care. As always, you and your liberal colleagues are advocating another government boondoggle, not a private enterprise solution, and we don’t want the government in our doctor’s offices. So steer clear of discussing this dangerous policy.

“We feel if you stick to our guidelines you may just get out of Oklahoma unscathed. As far as the election, however, I’m afraid you won’t be so lucky,” concluded Jones.

Labels: Decision '08, Gary Jones, OKGOP

Posted at 6:16 AM |   

Court documents mention that Jason McMahan was read his rights on November 2nd and questioned about the theft. It also reports that McMahan admitted to owning a pickup that fit the description of the one seen pulling the trailer away at 2am in the morning when it was stolen.


Tecumseh Countywide News & Shawnee Sun:

A City of Tecumseh employee was bound over for arraignment and trial Tuesday morning in connection with the theft of a campaign trailer almost a year ago.

Justin Lewis of Macomb faces up to five years in prison if convicted of knowingly concealing stolen property, in this case a trailer which belonged to a supporter of Gary Jones, a candidate for state auditor & inspector in last year’s election against incumbent Jeff McMahan of Tecumseh.

Jones, now chairman of the state Republican Party, offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever stole the trailer, but to date no one has been charged with the theft. Jones was in the courtroom for Tuesday’s hearing.

Special District Judge David Cawthon found sufficient evidence to hear the case after a preliminary hearing Tuesday. Among the witnesses were Tecumseh Police Detective J.R. Kidney and Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputy Jim Patten.

Kidney testified that he and another deputy found the trailer on property belonging to Lewis on Nov. 2, six weeks after it disappeared in Tecumseh. Read more...

Labels: Gary Jones, Jeff McMahan

Posted at 12:21 PM |   

Green Country GOP Delegation Step Up

By Gary Jones

Most of the time we don’t see a leader’s true grit until a tragedy or crisis hit. Well, Oklahoma has been hit with a crisis, and I’m proud to say our leaders stepped up to the plate.

Over the last few weeks, thousands of Oklahomans have been displaced or evacuated from their homes due to record-breaking flood conditions across Oklahoma. Northeastern Oklahoma has been the most heavily effected area of the state. Washington County has sustained significant damage and has already been approved for individual assistance by President Bush. State Senator John Ford and State Representatives Steve Martin and Earl Sears, who represent the majority of the affected areas, have stepped up to the plate, worked with first responders and emergency officials and showed true leadership exactly when residents needed it the most.

“I am so pleased to serve with Rep. Steve Martin and Rep. Earl Sears in Washington and Nowata Counties,” said Senator Ford. “We have worked closely together during this disaster with the local, state and Federal government agencies to help the victims receive the necessary services to start the recovery process.

“People have lost so much and this disaster has affected our communities deeply,” said Ford. “I will be working with Representatives Martin and Sears to ensure that all available resources are dedicated to helping protect the Washington and Nowata County area residents, and that the area is included in any forthcoming disaster declarations.”

Labels: Gary Jones, OKGOP

Posted at 11:29 AM |   

Labels: AG, Brad Henry, Gary Jones, Gene Stipe, Jeff McMahan, OKGOP, Sen. Mike Morgan, Steve Phipps

Posted at 11:50 AM |   

Well one thing we can say about new/old OKGOP Chairman Gary Jones, the weekly email has gotten a hell of a lot better. We actually look forward to receiving it now. Before, it was about as entertaining as watchng paint dry! The commentary is more insightful and this week, Jones even adds a little humor.

Gene "Bosshog" Stipe Legacy Keeps Growing

The federal investigation into Gene Stipe and his alleged corruption in SE Oklahoma just keeps growing, with Senate Co-President Pro-Tem Mike Morgan now coming under fire.

A Sunday story by the Oklahoman shows some Oklahoma colleges used non-traditional private financing to build housing projects, and students at several Oklahoma colleges are paying higher housing costs because of it.

Morgan, who's a Stillwater attorney, was paid more than $230,000 as the acting attorney on some of the projects...all in his Senate district. Reporters Tony Thornton and Randy Ellis also report that huge sums were paid to a title company co-owned by---you guessed it---former State Senator Gene Stipe.

The shady funding method, called off-balance-sheet or no-recourse financing, results in higher interest rates and higher fees paid to underwriters, banks and various attorneys, because the schools bypass competitive-bidding to streamline construction projects. The Oklahoman confirmed that the schools' financing method is drawing FBI scrutiny.

We've made the point here before that the arrogance of power, the corruption that follows and the unquenchable thirst to spend taxpayer dollars has been the trademark of Oklahoma Democrats during their time in the majority, and it's the mark Stipe has left on the Democratic Party.

With Mike Morgan term-limited, it is uncertain if he will simply slip off into the shadows or if these charges will be pursued further. What is more clear however, is that this cloud of corruption may damage Morgan's popularity in his own Senate district and could hurt the Democratic nominee who will look to replace Morgan next November.

Labels: Gary Jones, Gene Stipe, OKGOP, Sen. Mike Morgan

Posted at 11:13 AM |   

Message from Chairman Jones

This past Saturday over three hundred Oklahoma Republicans gathered to attend the third annual Stephen’s County Fish Fry in Duncan. The “Fish Fry,” along with the Comanche County GOP Annual BBQ, have grown to become “can’t miss” GOP events, and they are great examples of the changing political landscape in Oklahoma.

Since statehood, SW Oklahoma has been considered by most political experts as Democrat Country. Not any more. With the elections of Senators Don Barrington, Ron Justice, Michael Schulz and Anthony Sykes, along with Don Armes, Ann Coody, T.W. Shannon and Dennis Johnson who joined Susan Winchester in the House, Republicans became the majority party for the first time in Oklahoma’s history.

With faithful activists like Steve Fair, our 4th District GOP Chairman, SW Oklahoma is sending a message that Republicans are energized and ready for 2008. The Republican Party has a message that resonates all across this state, which was evident as I interacted with the hundreds of GOP activists in Duncan this past weekend. It was also clear that Republicans in SW Oklahoma know how to throw a party. I would encourage anyone to pick up a copy of the opening video Steve Fair put together for this year’s Fish Fry. If you know Steve, you will understand.

So as we prepare for the 2008 elections, let us remember that being a Republican and getting Republicans elected is rewarding…but it can also be a whole lot of fun.

Labels: Decision '08, Gary Jones

Posted at 11:25 AM |   

UPDATE: Tecumseh city employee charged in campaign trailer theft

Sources tell OKPNS to stay tuned to how close this city employee is to State Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan. We were the first to break this story last week:


Exclusive

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Sources close to the Tecumseh police investigation, tell OKPNS that the unsolved mystery of who swiped former auditor candidate Gary Jones'campaign trailer may be solved soon.

Once the arrest(s) are made, many will owe Jones an apology, including the current auditor Jeff McMahan, who accused Jones of staging the disappearance. McMahan's campaign vehemently denied any involvement in the disappearance.

Labels: Gary Jones, Jeff McMahan

Posted at 1:16 PM |   

Jimmie Martin over at viewsok.com and a supporter of Gary Jones, sent to us the Chair and Vice Chair election results: "Jones wins by 12 votes in a runoff with Daxon. Cheryl Williams upsets the vice chair and wins." Thanks Jimmie!

Labels: Gary Jones, OKGOP

Posted at 5:50 PM |   

Sources close to the Tecumseh police investigation, tell OKPNS that the unsolved mystery of who swiped former auditor candidate Gary Jones'campaign trailer may be solved soon.

Once the arrest(s) are made, many will owe Jones an apology, including the current auditor Jeff McMahan, who accused Jones of staging the disappearance. McMahan's campaign vehemently denied any involvement in the disappearance.

Labels: Gary Jones, Jeff McMahan

Posted at 12:10 PM |   

This anonymous mass email was apparently sent by a delegate to all the delegates.


First, the "Not Again Gary" email, then the "Buchanan gave money to Democrats" YouTube video, and now the "Daxon's moral character is in questioned"(sic) article on the biased OKPNS website. So, what is next? Will there be a real fist fight on the convention floor? 'Cause we've definitely moved past the mudslinging. It's been more like stoning and crucifixion. Besides, after reading everything that's going on I'm ready to watch some real action. Enough with the written word...let's see some flesh hitting flesh, Fight Club style.

So what in blue-blazes is going on? I mean, come on...this is Oklahoma for crying out loud. It's not like we're Florida, New York, or Texas where real power lies. Seriously, what's to gain by the chairmanship that's made one (or two) candidates (and their cohorts) so desperate that they've become avarice?

So cut the crap out. For the person who sent out the "Not Again Gary" email, let your candidate be man enough to say those things in public. For the person who posted the "Buchanan gave money to Democrats" YouTube video, kudos to you for being smart enough to record that meeting. But shame on you for being tacky in parading the video around with amateur editing and funny music. As for OKPNS, you've lost significant credibility with your reporting and journalism. This country was founded on the principle that every one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And not only was Daxon acquitted in a court of law, there was a serious lack of evidence to support the accusations. Posting an affidavit that's several years old and deemed unreliable by our justice system shows a serious lack of journalism credibility on your part. If you were going slander any of the two candidates that you do not support, at least have the decency to present hard evidence like the two individuals with their email and video.

As a concerned delegate, it greatly bothers me to see all the GOP diarrhea showing up so close to the convention. I pray this is not a symptom of a deeper internal problem, 'cause if it is, we're not going to be "Republican Rising" or "Oklahoma Rising" anytime soon. I imagine that I am not the only delegate who feels like sleeping in on Saturday and working peacefully in my garden as I till the manure in with the dirt.

Sincerely,

Stopping the OK GOP Horse Manure Foundation

Labels: Gary Jones, Grassroots Activists, Jerry Buchanan, Tom Daxon

Posted at 6:32 AM |   

Incumbent Tom Daxon’s recent momentum stalled

As the April 14 Republican State Party Convention looms only 11 days away, speculation has reached an all time high as to who will be elected to lead state Republicans for the next two years.

A race which many speculated would amount to a two way contest between incumbent Chairman Tom Daxon and former State Chairman Gary Jones has been turned on its head with the results of a three day phone survey commissioned by the Oklahoma Political News Service.

The statewide survey, which was conducted over the phone March 31-April 2, 2007 to a random sampling of 300 registered State Convention delegates, shows Tulsa native Jerry Buchanan leading the pack of three. Perhaps most surprising, the survey shows that Jones is in a strong second place position, while Daxon trails in a distant third. Results also show that the race will likely be decided on the second ballot, with no candidate netting the requisite 50% of delegate votes to win.

Labels: Gary Jones, Jerry Buchanan, Tom Daxon

Posted at 2:00 PM |   

Gary Jones, CPA and two time opponent of State Auditor Jeff McMahan called on the legislature and the Governor to implement immediate reforms in the Oklahoma State Auditor's office

Jones said these reforms are necessary to help prevent scandals like the current one involving straw donors and the funneling of state funds to Gene Stipe and his partner Steve Phipps.


(1)Remove the abstract division from the authority of the state auditor's office.

"The auditor should not be regulating they should be auditing," said Jones. "Since the law was changed giving the state auditor control over abstractors they have become the primary funding source for campaign contributions to their hand picked auditor candidate. This would also stop the practice of approving or disapproving abstract permits in exchange for campaign contributions."


(2)Make state auditor employees merit employees

Jones believes this would free them from pressure to contribute and campaign in order to keep their jobs. He also believes this would also allow employees of the office to assist in any investigations that might be forthcoming now or in the future.

Jones said he proposed these changes during his campaign.

Labels: Gary Jones, Jeff McMahan

Posted at 2:40 PM |   

From Tulsa Today: (excerpt)

Gary Jones, a Republican who narrowly lost two elections to Democrat State Auditor Jeff McMahan in 2002 and 2006, told Tulsa Today that it was the trail of campaign contributions from Gene Stipe, Steve Phipps and their employees to McMahan’s 2002 campaign that led to the discovery of the scheme to funnel millions in tax dollars to Stipe, Phipps, and former Democrat State Reps. Mass, Erwin and Hefner.

State Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahanAfter losing the 2002 election, Jones said he had suspected a Stipe-McMahan connection since 2003, after reading the list of straw donors to Walt Robert’s 1998 campaign. “What really threw up a red flag was the article in the Oklahoman in 2004 about the now-famous National Pet Products, the dog food factory in McAlester. The article listed Gene Stipe, Stipe’s brother Francis, his partner Steve Phipps, along with Karen Carper and Roy Hattridge. What else did these people have in common? They were all major contributors to Jeff McMahan’s campaign,” Jones told Tulsa Today.

While Jones was serving as Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, he said people sent him information claiming meetings were being held in the State Auditor’s basement conference room involving Reps. Mike Mass and Randall Erwin, and Stipe’s partner, Steve Phipps.

“Supposedly, the topic of discussion was how they could all benefit from the expanded gambling laws, and one person told me that Mass was heard bragging that if they got this through, they would never have to work another day in their lives,” Jones said.

“The Internet is an amazing tool,” Jones said. “It allows you to do research and find things in minutes that might take years to do manually – or go undiscovered otherwise. I did a Google search of Steve Phipps, and the first thing that popped up was a press release from the Oklahoma House of Representatives about a newly formed organization called the Rural Development Foundation being awarded a water permit for 25 billion gallons of water from Lake Eufaula – and Steve Phipps was listed as their consultant. Searching further on the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s Web site for Rural Development, it revealed that RDF office was located in Antler’s – at the same address as an abstract company owned by Gene Stipe and Steve Phipps.”

Jones shared that information with an Oklahoma state representative, whose further research found that RDF had received a $350,000 line item appropriation in the Department of Commerce’s funding bill. He called back later to say that they received another $350,000 as a line item in the appropriation bill for the Department of Agriculture.

Jones said his continued Internet searches led him to a Web site called
http://www.followthemoney.org/, where he discovered that the board members of RDF had also contributed to McMahan’s campaign. When Jones entered their names into a Google search, it brought up the Oklahoma State auditor’s Web site and listing employees of all the abstract companies in Oklahoma by county. McMahan’s office regulates all Oklahoma abstract companies. Stipe and Phipps’s biggest venture together are numerous jointly owned abstract companies.

This latest search by Tulsa Today shows that several board members of RDF were also employees of abstract companies owned by Stipe and Phipps, and that dozen of other Stipe and Phipps employees were also McMahan contributors. Read more...

Click here to view contributions to McMahan from Stipe, Phipps, and employees.

Labels: Frances Stipe, Gary Jones, Gene Stipe, Karen Carper, Mike Mass, Randall Erwin, Roy Hattridge, Steve Phipps

Posted at 8:15 AM |   

Yesterday, after weeks of speculation he would mount a primary challenge against Oklahoma’s senior US Senator Jim Inhofe, former ousted state party chairman and failed Republican nominee for State Auditor Gary Jones has set sights on his old job instead: chairman of the state Republican Party.

According to Jones: “[D]uring [my] first tenure as GOP State Chairman, Republican registration grew four percent statewide and Republicans picked up 12 legislative seats, numerous courthouse offices and reelected a United States Senator.”

In truth, Jones did not reelect a U.S. Senator. Tom Coburn was elected for the first time. More interesting, however, Jones focuses his attention in his press release on 2010, and fails to mention Republicans’ need to re-elect Jim Inhofe in 2008, despite the possibility of a challenge by Gov. Brad Henry. “If I am elected, I intend to devote my full time and energies to building a party that elects a Governor…” Jones said, apparently dismissing the current election cycle. Could it be that his widely known and long standing feud with Senator Inhofe is already shining through?

However, we noted with interest that Jones announced his qualifications by copying, nearly verbatim, from Tulsa County Republican Chairman and current frontrunner for state chairman Jerry Buchanan’s announcement letter. “Republicans have my pledge that I will work tirelessly to make certain we have the people, money and state of the art technology necessary to win,” Jones wrote in his press release.

In the Buchanan announcement, “communications, fundraising, grassroots outreach, and political technology” were the key focal points of his campaign for chairman.

With both Buchanan and Jones in the race, it remains unclear whether current chairman, Tom Daxon, will seek reelection after what many Republicans considered dismal statewide election results in November.

OKPNS welcomes readers’ reaction to Jones’s announcement, either in the comments section found beneath each article, or through our anonymous tipline.

Labels: Gary Jones, Sen. Inhofe

Posted at 1:10 PM |   

From the tip line:

Gary Jones will run for US Senate in 2010 when Coburn doesn't run for re-election. Last week, Coburn announced he would rather give up his seat in the Senate, than seek re-election to a body that would pass as law the new ethics rules the Senate in fact passed.

If they do indeed become law, which they likely will, this is why Jones is no longer saying he's challenging Inhofe next year. However Denise Bode will almost surely run if Coburn gives up his seat. Jones vs. Bode.

And who else? Assume at least one or two others would enter a primary that
would make last year's OK-05 primary look tame by comparison.

Labels: Denise Bode, Gary Jones

Posted at 8:50 AM |   

Gary Jones recently sent this email to OKPNS:


I have no plans to run against Jim Inhofe and anyone claiming that must have alterior (sic) motives to be making these claims.

I fully accept my loss in the last election as my responsibility. I ran in a year that the political environment did not favor Republicans in Oklahoma or anywhere in the U.S. I along with about three other statewide GOP candidates came close even in that environment.

I made a decision to put personal money into my race along with others like Todd Hiett who put in $200,000 and Howard Barnett who put in over a million himself. This was a decision I made because I felt as State Auditor I could clean up corruption and expose waste. I came close but was not successful. I borrowed about half that and will pay it back just like I did last time I ran.

I have commercial real estate interest and also a cattle operation that has provided us more income than what I recieved when I served as GOP Chairman. Taking that much out of our finances while campaigning full time can put a toll on cash flow, but I will have the debts paid back in a short time frame.

Obviously someone has a problem with me and choses to hide behind your website to make these claims. I have no problem discussing any of these items openly and honestly.

Gary Jones

Labels: Gary Jones, Sen. Inhofe

Posted at 8:00 AM |