Tulsa World: Wild Card: Can Independent Candidate Win?

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Wild Card: Can Independent Candidate Win?
For sure, it adds a new dimension

Tulsa mayoral candidate Mark Perkins is pictured in his downtown Tulsa campaign office on Thursday. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 9/13/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 9/13/2009 3:41 AM

Every once in a while, an independent candidate enters a political race and changes the dynamics — Ross Perot did it in his 1992 presidential run.

Although it's too early to tell, some think Tulsa may have its own independent mayoral candidate who can do the same.

Meet Mark Perkins, a 30-year-old registered Republican who filed as an independent.

He's a fourth-generation Tulsan, an attorney and small businessman, and a member of Tulsa's Young Professionals, a growing group gaining political clout in the city.

Perkins will face Democrat Tom Adelson and Republican Dewey Bartlett Jr. in the Nov. 10 general election. Another independent, frequent candidate Lawrence Kirkpatrick, will also appear on the ballot.

"I am the underdog without a doubt, but that doesn't mean this race is insurmountable," Perkins said.

Someone who has thought the issues through and has firm opinions about those that are in the best interest of the city "can appeal to a lot of people who do feel that they're not represented by the status quo system," he said.

Tulsa's voter registration shows the city has 92,109 Democrats, 95,439 Republicans and 25,074 independents.

Perkins said that although he suspects

he is a "thorn in the side" of Adelson and Bartlett, he sees his presence in the race as a win-win proposition for the city.

"I either win and take the city down a path I think will be best for our long-term prosperity, or I don't win and hopefully I would have succeeded in shaping the discussion, bringing the eventual winner closer to the important issues facing the city," he said.

Perkins, like Adelson and Bartlett, lists economic development, public safety, roads and education as essential issues facing the city.

But, Perkins said, he believes he has a better approach that will provide long-term solutions and not just a Band-Aid to be ripped off later.

Bartlett said he is not worried about Perkins pulling largely from his GOP base.

"An independent, I think, traditionally has pulled a little more (votes) away from a Democratic candidate than a Republican," Bartlett said.

But if Perkins is aggressive in the campaign, Bartlett said, he will have to counter that effort, just like he would his Democratic opponent.

Adelson said he thinks Perkins is "a nice guy" and might pull a little from each side.

"I think he has young, fresh ideas which I share and some that I don't," he said.

But as far as significantly affecting the vote, "I think comparing Mark to Ross Perot is about as delusional as Dewey comparing himself to Mayor Kathy Taylor," Adelson said.

Perkins said that he will draw votes from both sides.

"I have people that started out in either camp and have now moved to mine. They are smart people with creative ideas who want new solutions to our old problems."

Perkins said an advantage to running as an independent is that he is not beholden to party rhetoric to satisfy the base.

"I'm not convinced that Sen. Adelson and Dewey Bartlett can break through the party politics that got them to the position that they're in," he said. "I think they will neglect issues and not be forward-thinking enough, as the city's leader should be."

Perkins said when the three of them stand up before the public to debate, he will be able to offer a perspective that a lot of Tulsans from different generations share, but which Adelson and Bartlett may not discuss because of how it plays to their party supporters.

"I don't care about bases, I have no political ambition beyond the city. If I can shape the conversation, then I believe the city of Tulsa gains," he said.

While keeping his Republican registration to ensure he got to vote in the city's primary race, which he did, Perkins said, he is against partisan races locally.

Three City Council races were decided in the primaries by only GOP voters because no Democrat or independent candidates filed.

Perkins said running as an independent is difficult. He had raised about $30,000 as of the end of August, but prior to his first big fundraising event.

Perkins said he thinks the two-party system "is set up in part to hold on to power or to perpetuate power."

"If you're within the system, it is much easier to raise money and get a certain bump from people who identify with straight-party voting," he said.

"Nonpartisan races in the city would force the voters to really look at candidates and what they stand for and would make the election about ideas and leadership and skill set, which I believe is more important in a city leader as opposed to defaulting to a red or a blue," he said.

Perkins said that although his supporters stretch well beyond his demographic, he said many are those who "will inherit the city and they want to have a voice as to what they inherit, and I will give them that."

World staff writer Brian Barber contributed to this story.

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (9/13/2009 11:36:18 AM) I have a problem when someone is a registered Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc., then they switch parties to run for a certain race because they think they can't win the election with the party they are affiliated with. It just seems then that they do not believe in their party, it seems they are being self-serving. Similar to HIllary Clinton moving to New York to take up residence so she could run for the New York State Senate. She was being opportunistic. That being said, Mr. Perkins seems like a nice gentleman, and it is good to see young people getting involved in politics, which is a rarity. I suggest everyone do research on the Mayoral candidates, read each of their websites and then do searches for other info and articles on the candidates, read all you can about them, their beliefs and values. Watch any debates they may have. Do not go by hearsay, gossip or make a decision by which candidate is the most handsome, which one has the nicest mom, which one sends a "thrill down your leg" (ala Chris Matthews), etc. Think it all through, then go with your gut instinct.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (9/13/2009 9:37:34 AM) Perot was an idiot who had no chance of winning.
	Report Comment moogle, Tulsa (9/13/2009 1:02:16 PM) Too much is being made of party politics here. The party doesn't matter so much in Tulsa as the extent to which a person is in cahoots with the property developers and big money. The city finances have been so hijacked in the last few years and tied up with long term commitments and debt that the next mayor won't be able to do much more than juggle expenses to balance the budget. The only vision a visionary mayor will get to see is a swamped budget.
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 12:04:45 PM) Interesting. I'm not sure what his chances of winning are, but Perkins just might get my vote. Need to thoroughly research the candidates before I make my choice.
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 3:08:59 PM) Hehe, skinnykenyan4prez, your comment is unworthy of a response, so I won't give it one.
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 3:18:25 PM) Well, depends on your standards.
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 3:46:48 PM) Clearly so.
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 4:22:44 PM) Likewise. ; )
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 8:26:30 PM) 2ndjoyce, I hadn't realized. Whatever happened to traditional proposals? Sorry, DrFeelGood, but I don't really go for the blood-sucking vampire types. Nothing personal. You understand. (Gotta let him down easy...)
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (9/13/2009 8:54:56 PM) Flattered, I suppose...
	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (9/13/2009 8:44:49 AM) Power is in the people. When enough of us are sick and tired of the games between the Rs and Ds, then and only then will Independents become powerful enough to shape a future that is not Clockwork Purple, the mix of Red and Blue. The Independents need only to listen to their constituents and remain moderate in their plans and actions, and humble in their public service. We have tired of radicals.
	Report Comment Fromtheright, Tulsa (9/13/2009 7:17:29 PM) There's not a nickle's worth of difference between the Donkey and Rino (Republican in name only) mayoral candidates so having Mark Perkins as an Independent in the race is great.
	Report Comment dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (9/13/2009 10:34:40 AM) I don't care how it comes out. I'm voting Independent. A Pox on both Republicans and Democrats.
	Report Comment dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (9/13/2009 1:11:27 PM) Pretty much covers it Moogle. Obama hasn't done much but try to shore up the mess that Bush left. It will be the same here with cleaning up after Taylor.
	Report Comment SS_Hippy, Tulsa (9/14/2009 8:21:34 AM) No
	Report Comment SS_Hippy, Tulsa (9/14/2009 9:55:00 AM) Way
	Report Comment Centrist, the burbs (9/13/2009 11:29:49 PM) I think 30 is too young to run a city this size. He needs to start with a smaller town. I can't imagine he has been out of Law School very long. That doesn't qualify someone to be Mayor.
	Report Comment nomosoetero, Tulsa (9/13/2009 11:11:28 AM) Let's go back to George Wallace: In 1968, when Wallace pledged to run over any demonstrators who got in front of his limousine and asserted that the only four letter words hippies did not know were w-o-r-k and s-o-a-p, his rhetoric became famous. He accused Humphrey and Nixon of wanting to radically desegregate the South. Wallace said, "There's not a dime's worth of difference between the Democrat and Republican Parties." And there's not a nickel's worth of difference between Addleson and Burplett. Just more of the same: A contest to see who can continue the thieving and snobbery which accompanied the Taylor Aristocracy. I'll be Mr. Perkins doesn't have a jet.... but he has my vote!
	Report Comment nomosoetero, Tulsa (9/13/2009 11:15:44 AM) And the thing that appeals most to me is that Perkins is a Republican. David Patrick used the same electoral maneuver to win a City Council seat. He ran as an independent, although he is a ordinary old time Democrat (Yellow Dog). When Perkins is Mayor, he won't have the obligations that would accompany the big candidates.
	Report Comment I Win, You Lose (9/13/2009 4:02:40 AM) I can only remember one time I ever voted for an independent candidate, but there may be a second time around the corner. I have never given money to either party, I may even break that long standing rule, and donate to Mark Perkins campaign. . I'm not thrilled with Bartlett or Adelson they both act like and talk like seasoned politicians, exactly what I am tired of. They love to hear themselves talk, but never actually say anything. In fact, I have been so turned off by both of them, that when their ads come on when I'm watching TV I hit the mute button.
	Report Comment I Win, You Lose (9/13/2009 11:58:00 AM) midtown31679 I wouldn't count on the no experience. Anyone who is willing to take on the present establishment, has to know a thing or two. He is smart enough to know as long as we keep voting in a Rep or Dem into office nothing will change. They are obligated to their party first, their backers second, and the city third.
	Report Comment I Win, You Lose (9/13/2009 12:25:13 PM) Mar You left out Kathy Taylor moved here from Florida. A pretend Tulsan. . I am sure most of us are already looking for info not what you or other people post on here. I wish you would quit preaching at people.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/13/2009 7:42:12 PM) Not sure what "question" DrFeelGood is talking about.... Proud Muslim, did someone propose to you?
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/13/2009 8:45:45 PM) I'm not your momma, skinny.
	Report Comment lufkin, (9/13/2009 5:06:12 PM) He is an non-entity.What does he stand for?Just a jerk looking for publicity.

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