State senator’s downfall is quick, shocking
The downfall of one of Oklahoma’s most gregarious politicians was quick, dirty and shocking to virtually everyone who knew about the southside Oklahoma City senator.
To the outside world, state Sen. Ralph Shortey, 35, was a public safety-minded politician, doting husband and father of three girls. He was seen as someone with a deep involvement in religion and his community. His Facebook friends saw posts alluding tohislove of geek culture, including one note revealing he got a Star Trek uniform as a wedding gift. Shortey became more widely known this year for his stance against some drug reforms.
Within a few pages of a detailed police narrative, however, the other half of the Republican lawmaker’s alleged double life appeared.
Less than 24 hours after the public learned about Shortey’s alleged hotel rendezvous with a 17-yearold boy, fellow senators stripped him Wednesday of virtually all privileges at the Oklahoma Capitol.
Less than a day after that, on Thursday, Shortey surrendered to face three felony prostitution counts. Police said they smelled marijuana and found residue of the drug inside the hotel room, but no drug possession charge has been filed.
“Everybody kind of feels betrayed,” said a state representative.
Church volunteer
Religion was always apparent in Shortey’s adult life, whether it was his volunteer work or abstention from alcohol. After graduating high school in Moore, he attended the nearby Heartland Baptist Bible College. The college is unaccredited, but provides academic programs in five main areas: biblical studies, missionary work, church music, church education and ministerial secretary course for females.
Shortey went there for the mission program but later settled into the oil and gas business. An administrator at the college did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Shortey also was a volunteer for Southwest Baptist Church, driving a bus around Oklahoma City to pick up children for church services.
Associate Pastor Ted Inman said the church would cooperate with any police inquiry or investigation if contacted.
“(Shortey) has been a member for quite some time. However, as soon as we heard of the allegation we removed him from any involvement in any ministry,” Inman said.
Like many institutions and politicians who have close ties to Shortey, Inman lamented the public link between his church and someone accused of such a crime.
“As you can imagine, we have hoped to not get thrown around in it, but I think it’s inevitable simply because he was a member,” Inman said. “As far as I know, from the reports I have, the young man involved had no contact with our church.”
Youth leader
Those who know Shortey also are aware of his involvement with youth groups. He spent 17 years in the YMCA’s Youth and Government organization, but the group said he voluntarily removed himself as a volunteer program coordinator when the news broke.
He also has worked for six years with Boys State, an American Legionsponsored model government program. Shortey hadn’t yet completed his mandatory annual background check when the organization severed ties last week.
“In light of these allegations, because of the fact that our program is for juniors in high school, our safety and security is our No. 1 priority,” said Director Clay Ballenger.
Ballenger, a Tulsa police officer, said there are policies in place that prevent adults from being alone with children.
“We have a good ratio of staff to young men,” he said. “We make sure they’re never behind doors with them.”
Life of politics
In his early 20s, Shortey’s life took a turn toward politics. In possibly his first job on a campaign, Shortey volunteered for Senate candidate James Davenport.
The two met through Shortey’s wife, who was Davenport’s student in a college government class.
“He volunteered and helped do some doorknocking and stuff like that,” said Davenport, a professor of political science at Rose State College.
Davenport lost that race but ran again in 2010. Shortey was his Republican primary opponent. The two battled through primary and runoff elections, and Shortey won with nearly 60 percent of the vote.
Throughout his political life, Shortey has maintained a conservative presence in the Senate. His work on immigration and gun laws is notable, but he’s also taken solidly Republican stances on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. He is now accused of soliciting a 17-yearold boy for prostitution.
“Behind the scenes, he’s never been vitriolic,” said Troy Stevenson, executive director of the equal rights lobbying group Freedom Oklahoma. “But he’s made it very clear that he was going to take anti-trans votes especially.”
Last year, Shortey was one of two candidates for Senate leader. He eventually lost out to Altus Republican Mike Schulz, who was one of several politicians asking for his resignation Thursday.
Starting sometime around 2014, Shortey began taking on clients as a political consultant. According to public reports, his firm Precision Strategy Group has been paid almost $335,000 for polling, mailing and other consulting services.
Along with his consulting work, Shortey co-owns a coffee shop in south Oklahoma City. Kyle Roach, the other co-owner of Wholly Grounds Coffee Co., said he approached Shortey about two years ago about becoming 50-50 partners. Being a longtime customer of the coffee shop, Shortey agreed and bought into the business.
“This has always kind of been his office,” Roach said.
He said he hasn’t yet spoken to Shortey about the allegations but called the situation “a bad deal.” Roach said Shortey rarely worked behind the counter at the coffee shop but would regularly work from his laptop and have meetings inside.
Between 2014 and 2016, Shortey’s own Senate campaign paid Precision Strategy Group more than $41,000. His biggest client was state Rep. John Montgomery, who paid the firm about $95,000 during two election cycles.
“He was my political consultant. He did the job that I asked him to do, and that’s kind of primarily our relationship,” said Montgomery, R-Lawton.
Shortey also was a close political adviser to former state Rep. Dan Kirby, who resigned from office following a sexual harassment investigation.