Political Heavyweights Moving Towards Maughan; Fundraiser Planned Later This Month

Insiders say the political heavyweights are moving toward the political candidacy of Brian Maughan as he and others seek to unseat current District 2 Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart.

Former U.S. Attorney and Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Bill Price, AT&T Oklahoma President Don Cain and Republican Party Icon Al Snipes are hosting the event at Price’s Oklahoma City home on May 29th.

“It’s an indication that the smart money is starting to coalesce” around Maughan, a former AT&T consultant and long-time party activist. Snipes and Price are leaders of the conservative wing of the Republican Party in Oklahoma, and Cain is Chairman of the statewide chamber of commerce.

Maughan and former Bethany Mayor J.D. Johnston are the only Republicans challenging Rinehart in that party’s primary thus far. Rinehart faces several felony charges in a trial scheduled for September, and observers are watching intently to see who will emerge as Rinehart’s main challenger in the July 29th primary.

UPDATE: Murphy has Three Question for Johnson

We just received this in our inbox from the Murphy campaign:

There are three questions that are yet to be answered by Rob Johnson.

First, did he transfer funds from his House account to his Corporation Commission account?

Second, what was the amount of that rollover?

Third, did he vote for the ethics reform package that would have prohibited this very practice (HB2196 Sec. J.)?

Wilson Research Strategies Releases National Political Environment Assessment

Wilson Research Strategies released today its January 2008 edition of the National Political Environment Assessment. This edition focuses on framing the War in Iraq:

“Don’t ignore the war but don’t dwell on either. It’s still the most important issue to voters of both parties and independents,but voters are fatigued over hearing the “should we go or should we stay” debate. Some Democrats may try to make the campaign a referendum on the war, but increasing concerns about the economy and jobs provide other issues closer to home with which to attract votes not in favor of the war – an opportunity that was not available to Republicans in 2006.”