County commissioner raises more than $120K

I n the months a criminal investigation was hanging over his head, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan put off raising any money for his 2020 campaign.

He wasn't even sure if he would run for reelection.

But since being cleared of wrongdoing in early March, Maughan has raised more than $120,000 from donors, a significant sum in such a short time for a county race, particularly this year when the pandemic has brought new challenges to fundraising.

“Just so blessed to have lots of friends. A lot of people were ready to give me a donation. They were just waiting on me to make a decision,” said

Maughan, a Republican first elected in District 2 in 2008. “They came through for me.”

Maughan came under investigation because of questions about SHINE, an alternative sentencing program he started in 2010.

His GOP opponent, Jim Fisher, reported raising more than $ 18,000 through June 15 and spending almost all of it. The Democrat in the race,

Spencer Hicks, reported raising more than $20,500.

Of the five candidates for sheriff, P.D. Taylor has raised the most. The incumbent has raised more than $45,000 so far this year to add to the $46,886 he had on hand Dec. 31.

In the Republican primary election Tuesday, Taylor faces Tommie Johnson, a Norman police officer, and Mike

McCully, a former Oklahoma County sheriff' s deputy. Johnson reported raising more than $ 33,000 and McCully reported raising $5,175.

Oklahoma City police officer Wayland Cubit, a Democrat, reported raising almost $50,000. His primary opponent is Virgil Green, a former police chief in Spencer and Boley who previously ran for sheriff in 2017.