Despite vastly outspending, Bondar loses OK-4 primary challenge to Tom Cole
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Despite outspending U.S. Representative Tom Cole’s campaign by nearly $2 million, Paul Bondar lost his primary challenge to Cole on Tuesday.
Bondar was one of four opponents who ran against Cole (R-Oklahoma) in the race for Oklahoma’s Fourth Congressional seat.
Two months ago—few, if any, Oklahomans knew the name “Paul Bondar.”
Who is Paul Bondar, running to unseat Tom Cole? We found him.
But that all changed when Bondar’s campaign dropped millions of dollars on TV campaign ads.
The ads have played in just about every commercial break on local tv stations the past month or so.
News 4 found Bondar spent more than $5 million of his own money to fund his campaign against Cole.
The ads really started ramping up after News 4 was the first to find Bondar and interview him.
News 4 found it was unclear if Bondar actually lives in Oklahoma.
Congressional candidate ‘delinquent’ on taxes in another state
Bondar was not in Oklahoma during his interview with News 4.
That interview gained a lot of attention, and Tom Cole’s campaign even used it in some of their ads against Bondar.
Ultimately, Cole’s campaign spent just about $2 million fewer than Bondar’s, coming in at a little more than $3 million in total.
Cole had a packed house at his victory party in Moore, Tuesday night.
Cole said the results made it clear Oklahoma Republicans didn’t fall for what he called an out-of-stater’s attempt to take his seat, and that Bondar’s attacks on his voting record, and on his record as chairman of the house appropriations committee, were unfounded.
Rep. Tom Cole fends off primary challengers in Oklahoma
“It’s the first race in my career I’ve hand an opponent be able to substantially outspend me,” Cole told News 4 Tuesday night. “I feel good about it. I think it’s a vote of confidence in the job that I’ve done over the years by my fellow republicans. And a sign that being chairman of approps is a good thing not a bad thing as some of my critics would say.”
Meanwhile at his own party in Norman Tuesday night, Bondar told News 4 he always knew trying to beat someone like Cole would be an uphill battle, and ultimately now he will support Cole in the general election, despite his disagreements.
Bondar says he was just happy to have gotten his name out there and made connections with voters. He told News 4 he plans to run again in 2026.
“I’ve already made the commitment,” Bondar said. “I’ve already had too many people say, Paul we need you, built too many relationships, had too many promises that I will not let people down. Regardless of what happens, we’ll be back in 26.”
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