Okla. political candidates struggle to raise funds

OKLAHOMA CITY - From statewide political campaigns to grass-roots elections, Oklahoma candidates for public office and the political organizations that support them are struggling to raise money as the state's economy continues to slow.

The economy and the problems it creates for political fundraisers has already forced a candidate for lieutenant governor to drop out. Party officials said it may deter others from running for any elective office in Oklahoma next year.

"It's a little tough," state Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones said. "I think it's a tough time all the way around. I know it's tough for the parties. Contributions in general are way down."

Political parties raise money to support the campaigns of party members who are candidates for local or state offices.

Campaign finance information submitted to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission shows the state GOP had a balance of $13,211 at the end of June. It had a balance of $67,306 during the same period last year when the state's economy was still strong.

In addition, a GOP committee, the Oklahoma Leadership Council, listed $19,510 at the end of June in a filing with the Federal Election Commission. At the end of last year — the only other recent numbers available from the commission — the council reported $79,422 to the FEC.

State Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman said the economy is also a concern for Democratic candidates.

"That's always an issue in a downturn economy," Goodman said. But contributions are really no less than any other year in which no major elections are scheduled, he said.

Campaign finance reports filed with the Ethics Commission indicate the party had a negative balance of $357 at the end of June after being more than $3,100 in the hole the previous quarter. At the end of June last year, the party had a positive balance of almost $12,000.

In addition, the party showed a negative balance of $40,000 in its FEC filing as of June 30.

But Goodman said those figures are inaccurate and will need to be corrected.

"It appears to be a reporting error," he said. "We are absolutely not in debt. In fact we have some money in the bank."

Jones said contributions should pick up in 2010, when elections for governor, other statewide offices and legislative seats are scheduled.

"In a down economy people are thinking about how to keep their businesses running," Jones said. "They'll start thinking about elections next year."

Earlier this month, Rep. Colby Schwartz dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor citing the economic climate.

"My support has always come from everyday, hardworking Oklahomans," Schwartz, of Yukon, said in a statement. "It is these same supporters who have felt the pinch of the economic downturn the hardest, and now have less disposable income to contribute to a political campaign."

In spite of the economy, contributors appear to be lining up to donate to both parties' gubernatorial candidates, who have said they will need to raise between $5 million and $6 million to be competitive. Gov. Brad Henry is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.

"I think our fundraising has been going well," said Denise Northrup, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, a Republican who reported raising almost $346,000 during the second quarter for her gubernatorial campaign.

"We are not on a consistent basis having people tell us that they can't contribute because of a down economy," said Emily Lang, a spokeswoman for Democratic Attorney General Drew Edmondson's gubernatorial campaign. Edmondson had almost $624,000 in campaign funds at the end of June.

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