TO:   Interested Parties
FROM:   Karina Henderson, Communications Director
RE:   Democratic fundraising success in Oklahoma

Though the chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party hasbeen on the record bragging that the GOP will make a “clean sweep” of statewideoffices in this year’s elections, the candidates’ fundraising tells a differentstory. For the top two offices - Governor and Lt. Governor, both of which are open seats - Democrats areoutraising Republicans nearly two to one.

Despite the GOP’s overconfidence, Oklahoma voters are investing more in Democratic candidates at the top of the ticket than Republicans by a large margin.

The Democrats have a slate of candidates with a strong record of getting things done. With the election nine months away, Oklahomans are already showing a clear preference - they want Democrats to stay in control of the state’s top offices.

Governor: Democrats outraise Republicans 2:1

In the Governor’s race, the Democratic candidates have raised nearly double what the Republican candidates have brought in. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Atty. Gen. Drew Edmondson have raised more than $2.6 million from their supporters,proving that Oklahomans are buying into the Democratic brand and are investing to ensure that our Governor’s mansion stays blue.

Mary Fallin, whose connections in Washington should be paying off in her fundraising, seems to be experiencing some roadblocks in her efforts to fill her campaign war chest.

The Republican Party would like to see Fallin taking a strong lead in fundraising, but that is not the case. After seeing Fallin’s work in Washington, her D.C. friends don’t appear willing to support her campaign - and Oklahomans aren’t nearly as excited about her as they are about her Democratic opponents.

GOVERNOR
Democrats (Askins, Edmondson) – Total: $2,630,147 / Q4: $621,248
Republicans (Brogdon, Fallin, Hubbard) – Total: $1,340,661 / Q4: $345,190

Lt. Governor: Democrat doubles two Republican candidates’ totals in Q4

For the second quarter in a row, the top fundraiser in the Lieutenant Governor’s race is Democratic State Sen. Kenneth Corn, who blew away even the combined totals of both Republican candidates. In both the third and fourth quarters,Corn’s totals were double those of Todd Lamb and John Wright combined. Lamb and Wright together didn’t evenbring in six figures during the last quarter of 2009.

Corn’s message of working to create jobs and grow small businesses while still protecting our children and seniors is clearly resonating with Oklahomans, who seem to want a Democratic team leading our state. 

LT GOVERNOR
Democrat (Corn) – Total: $565,582 / Q4: $147,493
Republicans (Lamb, Wright) – Total: $389,317 / Q4: $76,037

CONCLUSION

State Republicans may be confident after the 2008 elections that they will dominate in 2010, but these fundraising totals show Oklahomans still want Democrats to take the lead in our state. After just one year of a Republican-controlled State Legislature, the GOP’s failure to create a viable budget and to protect critical services has Oklahomans convinced that they need more Democratic leadership. Republicans have not been listening to what Oklahomafamilies need, and that’s why Oklahoma families are strongly backing our top Democratic candidates.