Switching parties is not what it once was
LAST week, state Rep. Johnny Tadlock of Idabel announced he had left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican caucus. The relatively understated nature of this event shows party switching ain’t what it used to be. That’s no knock on Tadlock, but a reflection of how much the political scene has shifted in Oklahoma.
In 2002, when Rep. Mike Ervin of Wewoka switched from Democrat to Republican, his decision left the GOP within two votes of seizing control. At the announcement, Ervin was surrounded by House GOP leaders, as well as three congressmen and a corporation commissioner who had each been Democrats before switching. Then-Gov. Frank Keating issued a statement welcoming Ervin to the Republican Party.
In 2006, when Sen. Nancy Riley switched from Republican to Democrat, giving Democrats a 26-22 edge in that chamber, she was surrounded by Democrats and her decision was hailed by Senate Democratic leadership and the Oklahoma Democratic Party chair.
Tadlock’s switch drew no comparable embrace from GOP officials. No House Republican leader issued a statement.
The lack of triumphalism may be driven by the fact Tadlock’s move has little impact on GOP fortunes. His addition leaves Republicans with a 77-24 majority in the House of Representatives.
Last year Democrats influenced fiscal policy debate, but only because the governor and GOP legislative leaders were promoting tax increases. In Oklahoma, tax increases require three-fourths support in both legislative chambers, and the defection of a handful of GOP conservatives from the tax-increase effort allowed Democrats to seize leverage and boost their influence.
But Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt is an opponent of those tax increases and is pursuing a different agenda. Thus, adding one Republican to a legislative supermajority is of little consequence today.
In announcing his switch, Tadlock noted he is antiabortion and supported by the National Rifle Association. He did not stress fiscal issues, which suggests he is more of a cultural conservative than a fiscal conservative. In that, Tadlock will have much company in his new caucus. Indeed, he is far from the most liberal member of the House GOP caucus.
Instead, Tadlock’s decision appears driven by political reality. His district covers all of McCurtain County and much of LeFlore County. Stitt carried 68 percent and 63 percent, respectively, of the vote in those two counties.
Tadlock’s switch highlights, again, how Oklahoma Republicans are gaining ground almost despite themselves. The former House Democratic leader lost his reelection race against a Republican candidate who barely bothered to campaign and wasn't recruited by GOP officials. Tadlock’s move appears unlinked to Republican overtures. And legislative Republicans haven't offered a meaningful agenda in years.
One of the biggest problems in Oklahoma has been the complacency of the Republican majority, which has generated inertia and indifference to serious policy debates. It may be a triumph of hope over experience to expect this to change so long as the party continues to make gains with little effort.