Oklahoma County clerk candidates Scobey, Treat readying themselves for Tuesday's election

Jack Money, Oklahoman
·2 min read

Campaign contributions and endorsements have been noted, yard signs are out and final appeals for financial support and votes are being made as Oklahoma County residents get ready to decide whether to select Democrat Derrick Scobey or Republican Maressa Treat to be their next county clerk.

The candidates are seeking to replace former Oklahoma County Clerk David Hooten, a Republican who resigned in June about halfway through his second term in office.

Hooten, who also was running as a Republican seeking the nomination to be his party's candidate for state treasurer in 2022, chose to resign from his post after a recorded conversation between himself and employees about upcoming team building activities was publicly released, raising eyebrows across the community.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt called a special election to fill the remainder of Hooten's term.

Initially, five Democrats and three Republicans sought voters' support to advance them to next week's election during a February primary. Scobey and Treat advanced without a runoff because none was required.

OKC City Council, county clerk elections Where to vote. Who are the candidates?

Oklahoma County clerk candidates make their pitches

Derrick Scobey is a Democrat running for Oklahoma county clerk.
Derrick Scobey is a Democrat running for Oklahoma county clerk.

Scobey, 55, pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, was appointed to Oklahoma County's criminal justice authority in September and frequently has spoken out about social justice issues, including the jail's problems.

If elected, Scobey pledges to:

  • Act in a collaborative role, building bridges and community buy-in.

  • Lead the county clerk's office with integrity, compassion and fiscal responsibility.

  • Bring transparency, organization and accountability to the office by developing an efficient staff.

  • Work for all Oklahoma County residents and fairly represent them in future Oklahoma County Budget Board meetings.

More: Republicans: County clerk candidate Scobey missed campaign finance report filing deadline

Maressa Treat
Maressa Treat

Treat, 41, a political strategist who most recently worked for U.S. Sen. James Lankford and who is Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat's wife, describes herself as a lifelong conservative and community advocate.

If elected, Treat pledges to:

  • Bring transparency, accountability and community participation to Oklahoma County's government.

  • Ensure that public resources are used efficiently, public policies are designed in the best interest of residents and that the county government acts with integrity.

More: Why is a county clerk candidate drawing donations from a cockfighting group?

Fundraising exceeds $350,000 as election approaches

Both candidates have managed to raise funds despite a campaign period lasting only about three months.

Scobey's campaign financial reports filed with the Oklahoma Election Board show he continued to receive contributions during the week before the April 4 election.

Scobey told The Oklahoman his campaign raised $135,000 through Thursday. That amount includes $25,000 he loaned to his campaign.

Treat, meanwhile, also reported additional donations in the week before the election. Financial reports she has filed with the election board through Wednesday showed she had raised about $227,000 during the campaign.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Clerk election candidates Scobey, Treat are ready