State house candidate fired from Wagoner County sheriff’s office

WAGONER — A Republican candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives was fired from his job with the Wagoner County sheriff’s office on Monday, but the parties involved disagree on the reason for the dismissal.

Nick Mahoney, a Wagoner County deputy for more than seven years, said he was fired because he refused to drop his campaign against GOP incumbent Kevin McDugle in House District 12.

HD 12 encompasses all but westernmost Wagoner County.

Sheriff Chris Elliott confirmed Mahoney’s dismissal but said it had nothing to do with his political aspirations.

“That’s completely false,” Elliott said Tuesday. “You’re getting some very, very bad information.”

In an email Monday night, Mahoney said otherwise.

“It just goes to show how far Sheriff Elliott will go to help my opponent retain power,” Mahoney said. “It is a prime example of government corruption, and our district deserves better. In the end, I believe it only reinforces my campaign to restore integrity and provide new leadership for the people of Wagoner County.”

Mahoney’s spokesman, Josh Wagoner, said Mahoney was fired Monday morning by Chief Deputy Les Young.

“He was told it was for ‘behavior unbecoming’ or words to that effect,” Wagoner said.

Wagoner said Mahoney was essentially demoted from public information officer to night shift patrol after he decided to challenge McDugle in the June 26 primary. Wagoner said Mahoney has had no disciplinary actions against him while with the sheriff's office.

Elliott denied Wagoner’s claim that Mahoney was fired “without a doubt” because of his legislative campaign.

“That’s false ... if he’s putting that information out,” Elliott said.

McDugle, who is completing his first term, voted for several revenue-raising measures in support of teacher pay increases but came under fire for a Facebook video sharply critical of educators at the Capitol. Some elements within the Republican Party don’t like his voting record or his personal life, which includes a pending divorce.

The divorce led Mahoney to challenge McDugle’s eligibility for re-election, claiming McDugle no longer lives in the district. The Oklahoma State Election Board denied the challenge.

Mahoney, 33, and McDugle, 50, are the only candidates in the GOP primary. The winner will face Democrat Cyndi Ralston in the November general election.