OK County clerk candidates make appeals, receive endorsements as special election nears

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:

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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:

• 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."

• Ellis stressed her qualifications and people skills, saying, "I have done the job."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

Here is what the candidates said about addressing housing and health issues:

• Cummings said he would like to see more and better data collected using technological upgrades. "It has to start there, and then we have to share it with other leaders at the county."

• Guild said data the clerk gathers should be used to address those issues. Using that data, he said, would be "one of the most important and life-changing paths we can take."

• Ellis said the next clerk needs to be sure other elected leaders have the data they need to make informed decisions. "Educating the public, going out into the community and working along side other community leaders to create change is important."

• Phillips wrote the next county clerk should use that data to "be a fierce advocate" for the poor, marginalized and those in crises when county officials set the agency's annual budget.

• Scobey said the office should provide the data it collects to other elected county officials and any other requesting parties to make progress on those issues. "I will use my authority when appropriate to improve the experience of all of our citizens."

Here is how the Democratic candidates asked for voter support:

• Cummings asked voters to consider his management experience. "Service is my actual specialty. That's what I do. And I am the only one on the stage tonight who has beaten a Trump fanatic."

• Ellis told voters to think about candidates' on-the-job experience, arguing an April 4 election win by Republican Maressa Treat would create another political dynasty Oklahoma County residents don't need. "This is not a popularity contest. I don't need help walking through the job. I just need help walking through the door."

• Guild said his life's journey of being abandoned by his parents, then being fostered and adopted before going on to earn a law degree and complete a 30-stint teaching students at the University of Central Oklahoma shows he has what it takes to get the job done. "The world is a bully, so just grab it by the beard and pull it off."

• Phillips wrote the job gives its occupant a platform to speak up for outside issues. "I will be that county clerk for Oklahoma County residents."

• Scobey also told forum attendees they need to be thinking about April's election against Treat. "It has to be the right Democrat against her. I will beat her."

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.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Maressa Treat, Tom Guild pick up endorsements in OK County Clerk race