Tulsa World: Decision day for primaries in Tulsa

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Decision day for primaries in Tulsa
Mayor, auditor and five council races are on Tuesday's ballot.

Bell

By BRIAN BARBER & P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writers
Published: 9/8/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 9/8/2009 3:56 AM

View the Tulsa World’s city elections Web site for continuing coverage.

Find your polling precinct.

Tulsans must now stop listening to political speeches and make some political decisions.

It's primary election day in the city, with candidates on the ballot for mayor, auditor and five City Council districts.

Three of the council races — in Districts 2, 5 and 8 — will be decided by the primaries, while council contests in Districts 4 and 6 will advance candidates to the Nov. 10 general election.

Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Patty Bryant expects voter turnout to be 30,000 to 50,000 — or 16 to 27 percent — of the 187,584 eligible voters. That's light, but normal for city primaries.

An unknown factor, Bryant said, is the effect the Labor Day holiday the day before the election will have, with some people taking longer weekends.

"Personally, I just think it will be up to the individual campaigns to turn out their vote," she said.

Tulsa County Republican Party Chairwoman Sally Bell said that with 11 GOP candidates vying for the party's nod for mayor, she's unsure what will happen.

"We haven't even been able to have a real

debate," she said.

"We've had some meet-and-greets, some forums and some club meetings, but we haven't been able to have the candidates challenge one another due to the number, and I think that's regrettable."

Bell said she can't get a read on the public interest in the frontrunners in the GOP race, who are Dewey Bartlett Jr., Anna Falling and Chris Medlock. The holiday weekend preceding the primaries also will be a factor, she said.

"My role is simply to make sure Republicans get out and vote, no matter who they support," she said.

When the dust settles on the mayoral primary, Bell said, she's certain that the majority of the party will back the winner.

"But I think the other candidates will come to it on their own. They will look to the alternative and say, 'I'm a Republican.' "

"I'm such a believer in individual freedoms that it's hard for me to force anyone to do anything," she said.

Democratic Party Chairman Jack Boyte said Democrat frontrunner Tom Adelson likely will win his party's nomination. Five Democrats are on the ballot.

"As far as resources and widespread support, anybody would, I think, say Adelson has it," he said.

Republicans have five City Council primaries: Districts 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

With the police and firefighters unions targeting Republican Councilors Bill Martinson, Rick Westcott and Eric Gomez for ouster this election season, Bell called that kind of union opposition "unfortunate."

But she emphasized that she and her family, who owned Bell's Amusement Park, are staunch supporters of the rank-and-file officers and firefighters.

"These elections are going to show us the kind of power that those unions have in Tulsa politics," Bell said.

Boyte said he believes that nothing is wrong with the firefighters' actively campaigning against certain candidates.

"I believe everyone should have the right to campaign for who they support," he said.

Boyte noted that plenty of firefighters wearing bright yellow firefighters' union T-shirts are actively campaigning.

At a grass-roots level, those face-to-face encounters with candidates or their advocates "makes a big difference" in swaying votes.

"There are a lot of local issues out there," he said. "The councilor that is there on the doorstep the most will sure have a heads-up advantage."

The Democrats have two City Council primary races: Districts 4 and 6.

"I do know the Democrat candidates in those races who are well known are working a lot harder than they did last time," he said.

Primary election today

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

On the ballot republican mayoral candidates:

Dewey Bartlett Jr., Kevin Boggs, Nathaniel Booth, anna Falling, Chris Medlock, David O’Connor, Paul Roales, Michael Rush, Norris Streetman, John Porter Todd and Michael Tomes Sr.

Democrat mayoral candidates: Tom adelson, A. Burns, Prophet Kelly Clark, Robert Gwin Jr., Paul Tay.

Republican auditor candidates: Preston Doerflinger and Lynn Ruemler.

Republican district 2 candidates: Councilor Rick Westcott and Bart Rhoades.

Democrat district 4 candidates: Maria Barnes and elizabeth Wright.

Republican district 4 candidates: Councilor Eric Gomez and Rocky Frisco.

Republican district 5 candidates: Councilor Bill Martinson and Chris Trail.

Democrat district 6 candidates: Councilor Dennis Troyer and Mario Choice.

Republican district 6 candidates: Jim Mautino and Tadd Weese.

Republican district 8 candidates: Councilor Bill Christiansen, Phil Lakin and Scott Grizzle.

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com

By BRIAN BARBER & P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writers

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	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (9/8/2009 6:59:28 AM) "I'm such a believer in individual freedoms that it's hard for me to force anyone to do anything," she said... (Well, except for liberals, socialists, communists, Independents, Unitarians, homosexuals, atheists, Muslims, Mexicans, and anyone else who doesn't agree with me, of course.) She's not exactly the Liberty Bell, even if she is cracked! Please vote, Americans, despite the Oklahoma restrictions.
	Report Comment Davy Crotchety, Tulsa (9/8/2009 7:40:36 AM) For crying out loud, Tulsa World. It's a Democratic primary, not a "Democrat" primary. Please fix your info box.
	Report Comment Moses, Jenks (9/8/2009 8:22:37 AM) I noticed the volunteers for all of the candidates have been busy trashing out the center medians and city right of way with their stick signs. Riverside Drive is a disgusting mess. It will be interesting to see how many of the volunteers go back and pick up their trash after the election or will they depend on City Of Tulsa employees to clean up their mess for them? This includes the winners of the primary since a letter was sent out notifying their campaign headquarters that their trashy stick signs are never permitted to be located on city right of way or on the center median of any street or hwy ramp. Everyone should be watching!
	Report Comment roadhunter, Tulsa (9/8/2009 8:34:59 AM) I'll do whatever it takes within the law to keep Anna Falling out of office. I have met the woman, and she is truly scary. If an issue came before her, she would ignore her constituents, and the facts, and simply "pray" on it.
	Report Comment Corvetteguy, (9/8/2009 8:51:20 AM) I'm supporting Elizabeth Wright in the District 4 City Council Democratci primary. The last person I would vote for is Dora the Explorer. I'm sorry,....I meant Progessive liberal Maria Barnes.
	Report Comment Rupert Shootman, Tulsa (9/8/2009 9:52:49 AM) Just got back from voting for Chris Medlock and Rocky Frisco.
	Report Comment not your friend 2,,,, missy, no thanks (9/8/2009 10:14:06 AM) As seen on TV.another empty space.
	Report Comment peelumba, (9/8/2009 12:36:12 PM) ah rupert you poor poor man lets keep chrissy unemployed.
	Report Comment peelumba, (9/8/2009 12:36:50 PM) rock on adelson and barnes
	Report Comment Sheep Dog, Tulsa (9/8/2009 3:33:50 PM) Not only are the firefighters campaigning AGAINST certain incumbent counselors, they are campaigning FOR other incumbent counselors as well.
	Report Comment newmayor, Tulsa (9/8/2009 4:37:28 PM) We want to thank the thousands of Tulsans who have supported Us in Our endeavour. With victory almost in Our grasp, We have decided to withdraw from the campaign. When We are elected, We will not serve. We made this decision after careful deliberation, and one of the factors influencing Our thoughtful considerations was the discovery that We do not have to return the monies contributed to Our campaign. After a few weeks in Vegas and the Caymans, We will be back to embark upon another run for another office.
	Report Comment Octavio, (9/8/2009 5:21:08 PM) Right on Moses! If these candidates truly care about Tulsa, why are they trashing it with illegal signs?
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (9/8/2009 10:10:10 PM) newmayor - Well, there goes my fluff, $100K/yr job. I had already worked out the details as to how I would do absolutely nothing and still collect a paycheck, in the grand tradition of a City worker. I'll be plotting for the next opportunity, as I'm sure will You.
	Report Comment JoeKasonu, (9/9/2009 1:05:22 AM) The question now is.... Will Medlock man up and support Dewey, or will he try and mess with the general election like he did when he ran against Jordan. Hopefully he will just shut up, and take his loss as a man.
	Report Comment JoeKasonu, (9/9/2009 1:08:02 AM) One last thing Chris, can this be the end of your political races? Can you PLEASE take this loss as an indication that we do not want you as mayor, state house, state senate, etc....

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