By Andrew W. Griffin

Red Dirt Report, editor

Posted: March 30, 2009

MUSKOGEE – Braving a snowstorm, the two candidates vying for the position of Oklahoma Republican Chairman – current Chairman Gary Jones and Vice-Chair Cheryl Williams – had a heated debate at a meeting of state District 2 at the main library in Muskogee.

Both candidates started off noting how they were both raised in Oklahoma and how they live and work in the state – Jones, a trained CPA from Comanche County and Williams from Edmond.

Jones, who has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, highlighted how he has worked hard, even before becoming chairman in 2003, advancing the ideas of the party and donating thousands of dollars to the party and various Republican candidates.

“Dr. Tom Coburn is the best senator, bar none,” Jones said.

Williams, who has been a party activist for 20 years, claimed early on that she had donated $30,000 to the party and candidates but when Jones showed the crowd of 80 or so people Federal Election Commission and ethics reports noting that Williams has given little more than a couple of hundred dollars in recent years, Williams did not effectively counter Jones’s discovery, only acting surprised by the revelation.

The debate was moderated and pre-written questions were asked by the moderator. This debate took place Saturday afternoon following a talk given by Coburn.

It was clear that the two candidates had differing views on how to best advance the interests of the Oklahoma Republican Party.

Williams seemed short of fresh ideas beyond red-meat conservative issues like promoting “Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ” and trying to attract younger voters to the party by holding Christian rock concerts. Other faiths were not mentioned.

“Faith does impact my politics,” Williams said.

Jones, meanwhile, stuck to the issues and how he has been extremely effective in moving the party forward, highlighting how he has focused on attracting Democrats in rural Oklahoma to the Republican Party.

“Rural Oklahoma is different,” Jones said. “We picked up 26 seats in Oklahoma, 24 of which were in rural Oklahoma.”

“We’ve got to get the public and the grassroots involved,” Jones said. “We’ve got to go out and talk about the issues they care about.”

Jones also told the Republican group that he had done a lot to root out corruption in Oklahoma, working with the FBI to expose former Kiamichi-area pols like Gene Stipe, Mike Mass and other Democrats who have betrayed the public trust and used their position for personal gain.

“Don’t tell our Republicans that they are scandalous and corrupt when it’s you guys who are in prison,” Jones said, pointing the finger at Democrats.

At one point, Jones got choked up talking about his son, who just completed training to be a forward observer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Jones outlined his history, noting that he went to Cameron University in Lawton, worked for Southwestern Bell, was in private business and served as a County Commissioner.

He emphasized the need to make “government more efficient and more effective.”

Jones said as chairman, he has traveled to all corners of the state, having already put 200,000 miles on his vehicles.

Despite all that, and his long-time dedication and hard work, Williams came out swinging.

“In 2006, when Gary left, he left it broke,” Williams said. “I’ve done everything I can to make this party better.”

Jones emphasized his good stewardship of party funds, saying he left the party “in a very good financial position.”

And to support that statement, financial reports later obtained by Red Dirt Report show approximately $102,000 of cash on hand when Jones stepped down in May 2006.

And the party remains in solid shape to this day under his leadership.

“Since I’ve been chairman I’ve raised $3 million,” Jones said.

“We have raised more money in the last two years than we ever have,” Jones said. “And we’ve managed the money to go to resources and to get people elected.”

Added Jones: “The money we get is spent very efficiently.”

“I’ve raised (money) for the counties … I’ve asked people to give to the party,” Williams said, adding later, “I believe when you have money to give, you do it.”

But Jones emphasized to the crowd that electing Williams is risky.

“We can’t go with someone who is not a proven commodity,” Jones said. “Let’s talk specifics. We need someone who is a proven leader who has (raised money).”

“I’ve been the joke of a lot of rumors and the butt end of a lot of rumors,” Williams said, adding that she “doesn’t talk to the media much.”

Jones, a seasoned, media-savvy candidate, is a common feature in news articles and on Oklahoma talk radio.

A question addressed to the candidates asked how they would help District 2 and Republicans. Williams said she is “willing to do the work” but Jones would not give her approval.

Jones scoffed at this notion, saying that he has never prevented Williams from working on Republican Party projects.

“You can’t stop Cheryl Williams from doing anything,” Jones replied.

Jones then responded to the question, saying, “We’ve worked with the Second District in every meeting there has been.”

Asked how to best attract conservative Democrats to the party, Williams noted that you have to work with folks one-on-one. She also talked about the recent Tea Party at the State Capitol and how a Democrat came up to her telling her that she made him realize that he needed to be with the party.

In summary, Jones and Williams laid out their strengths. While Williams implied that Jones was “complacent” and that term limits for party chairmen are needed, she vowed that she would only serve two terms if elected. She also noted that the vice-chair candidate is an African-American named Don Smitherman and that it is a sign that diversity is returning to the party.

Jones said the 2010 election is critical. The governor’s office can be taken by Republicans, as can the office of Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner and so forth.

“We’ve got a proven track record,” Jones said, adding, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

For more information on the Oklahoma Republican Party, go to www.okgop.com.

Copyright 2009 West Marie Media