2 Oklahoma County clerk candidates pick up endorsements
In a crowded race to become the next Oklahoma County clerk, two candidates have picked up endorsements from party leaders.
U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin have endorsed Republican Maressa Treat in the race to fill the vacant position. Meanwhile, former state Rep. Al Lindley has endorsed Tom Guild to fill the unexpired term of David Hooten, who resigned in June.
Each party’s run-off free primary will be held Feb. 14, choosing nominees for the April 4 election. Here is a look at the latest in the race:
Democratic candidates make pitches at January forum
Four of the five Democrats were asked at a Jan. 19 forum attended by roughly 100 voters about what they would do to restore employees’ trust in the office after sexual harassment allegations forced Hooten’s resignation. They also were asked what skills they could bring to the job. Brandon Cole Phillips couldn’t attend the forum, so he provided written answers.
Here’s what the candidates said about restoring trust:
h Sean Cummings, 59, described what happened under Hooten’s reign as a power struggle and said he would use his business experience to work with and listen to the office’s employees “so that it doesn’t happen again. Our opportunity is to listen.”
h Tiffany Ellis, 42, who told forum attendees she worked for Hooten for seven months before leaving, said she knows what his employees experienced, adding they asked her to run. “We have a foundation of trust already.”
h Tom Guild, 68, a longtime educator who has run in several past congressional elections, said his experience in developing sexual harassment guidelines and teaching and writing peer-reviewed articles about the issue while at the University of Central Oklahoma leave him uniquely prepared. “I will lead by example.”
h Phillips, 37, the communications director at CASA of Oklahoma County, wrote he would review staff members’ roles and pay rates first as he works to create a more equitable and safe working environment, part of “a culture shift that will take several years to complete.”
h Derrick Scobey, 55, a recent appointee to the county’s criminal justice authority and the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, said he would help heal wounds Hooten left behind by implementing a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment and setting an example his fellow employees could follow. “It begins with me.”
Here is what each candidate said about what they would bring to the office:
h Cummings said he would bring critical people skills and determination to the job. “I have 38 years of management experience. The best attribute I have is grit — I don’t give up for anything.”
h Ellis stressed her qualifications and people skills, saying, “I have done the job.”
h Guild said his experiences in moderating conflicts and getting resolutions would “get a large group of diverse individuals to work together for the greater good.”
h Phillips wrote he would bring communications skills to the office. “It is important for the county clerk to make meetings accessible for all, and I have the skills and knowledge to make that happen.”
h Scobey said his willingness to work with Republicans to bring beneficial programs to the community matters. “I am a collaborator. I bring people together. I make things happen.”
Treat endorsed by Lankford, Mullin
Treat, a 40-year-old who describes herself as a lifelong conservative and community advocate, recently received the endorsements from Lankford and Mullin.
Treat, the wife of Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, will square off against two other Republicans seeking votes to represent their party in the April election.
Gloria Banister, 52, is a small-business owner who ran unsuccessfully for election to Oklahoma’s House of Representatives in 2022. If elected, Banister pledges to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, bring transparency and accountability to the office and to remove job-killing regulations.
Jonathan Clour, 31, works in the county clerk’s office. A past candidate for seats on the Oklahoma City Council and in Oklahoma’s House of Representatives, he pledges to ensure the office continues to provide the quality services Oklahoma County residents have come to know and expect.
The Republican candidates have not gathered to discuss the race or its issues.