Anti-corruption group visits Oklahoma Capitol to promote transparency, voting rights

Gathering in a cold wind and rain outside the state Capitol on Wednesday, a new anti-corruption group is calling on Oklahomans to take out the trash.

Clean Up Oklahoma, a recently formed Political Action Committee, has begun a drive to address perceived corruption in state politics through a grassroots effort aimed at incumbents and first-time political hopefuls.

The goal? Have candidates who are competing in this year's election cycle sign an anti-corruption pledge.

Much like the committee's priorities, the pledge outlines a candidate commitment to avoid nepotism, secret meetings and big money donors while promoting voting rights and increased transparency.

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To get its message out, the group plans to canvas the state in the coming months from Miami to Lawton and Enid to Ardmore.

“The more public support we have, the more these candidates and legislators are going to take notice,” said Jay Williams, director of Clean Up Oklahoma. “At some point, we have to say enough is enough. It needs to stop, and so that's what we're trying to do.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidates sign anti-corruption pledge

The drive for candidate signatures began last month as office seekers descended on the state Capitol to file for a spectrum of state and federal positions.

According to the group, since April, nearly 20% of the 569 candidates seeking office signed the pledge.

More: Oklahoma Senate, congressional races draw crowds as candidate filing ends

"We need to double and triple that number here within the next couple of days, there is zero reason for a candidate to not sign our anti-corruption pledge," Williams told a caravan of supporters at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Most of the signatures have come from political newcomers and those challenging incumbents, although a handful of Democratic state representatives and senators have signed in addition to a couple Republicans.

So far in the race for governor, several candidates have agreed to the pledge including State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and former state Senator Connie Johnson.

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"I signed it because I know that it's true that corruption is rampant in Oklahoma," Johnson said, as a 50-car caravan departed the Capitol rally in route to the governor's mansion.

"It is not transparent enough for the average citizen to realize how wording is put in that gives private contracts to friends," she said, referencing opaque legislation and political processes. "People don't understand government enough to realize that that is the bottom line of what's going on here."

For Clean Up Oklahoma, success will mean bringing those issues to the attention of voters and earning the support of average citizens.

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The support will also need to come in the form of online donations, as the organization expects most of its financing for advertising and canvassing to come from donor contributions, Williams said.

“We're still raising visibility, so we're hoping that as people become aware we'll be able to raise more money,” he said.

The PAC is yet to file a quarterly financial report, the next deadline for detailing expenditures to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is June 30.

Recent scandals, like state tourism department contract with Swadley's, spark interest

While the group may only be a few months old, the issues and concerns about in-state corruption have been on the minds of voters, politicians and cynics for years.

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"I would have done this five years ago, if there had been somebody that organized it," said Richard Friant, sporting a rain soaked mop and rag adorned to his car.

Ongoing revelations about the state Tourism Department's now defunct contract with Swadley's Bar-B-Q and questions on federal relief spending has simply acted as a reminder of an omnipresent issue perceived by many voters.

More: After Swadley's debacle, Oklahoma lawmakers won't reform tourism agency this year

"Back when the Democrats controlled everything there was corruption, and now that Republicans control everything you need checks and balances, and we don't have it in this state," Friant said.

Coming into this year's legislative session much of the group's focus was on the pledge drive, although there was also an emphasis to fight policies meant to change voting and initiative ballot requirements.

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While legislation did pass to investigate certain voter registration cases and alter mail-in balloting, bills meant to make it more difficult for citizens to place items on statewide initiative ballots failed.

Now, Clean Up Oklahoma is shifting its attention to encouraging voters to turn out for primaries scheduled for June 28, with runoffs set for Aug. 23 and a general election on Nov. 8.

“This is going to be a person-powered effort; our strength is going to be in our numbers,” said Cynthia Alexander, the committee's chair. “Every day Oklahomans and voters of all persuasions, who understand the benefit of not having corrupt politicians in office.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma group seeking candidate signatures for anti-corruption pledge