DUNCAN – Four hundred pounds of fish and a $1,500 coconut cream pie might have created more excitement than the seven candidates running to be the next governor of Oklahoma during the 22nd annual Stephens County GOP Fish Fry on May 23.
Stephens County Republicans put on the forum and fundraiser expertly disguised as a fish fry. Attendance was close to 900, if not more, as Republicans and officials from throughout the state attended the event at the Stephens County Fairgrounds.
A forum featuring seven of the nine Republican candidates running for governor was the main event. Those candidates included Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating, former Sen. Mike Mazzei, former Speaker of the House Charles McCall, former Sen.
Jake Merrick, former Rio Community, New Mexico, City Manager Leisa Mitchell Haynes, and businessman Kenneth Sturgell. Two other candidates on the Republican ballot on June 16 primary are businesswoman Jennifer Domenico- Tillett and boilermaker and millwright Calup Anthony Taylor.
District Attorney Jason Hicks facilitated the candidate forum as the crowd dined on fresh fried fish and fixings.
Stephens County GOP officials also recognized the United States’ 250th anniversary and acknowledged all veterans and dignitaries who were present.
Honored for her loyal support to and work for the local party, Jan Preece Gaddis received the annual Dr. Gerald Beasley Party Builder Award.
The evening was interspersed with Oklahoma Republican Party 4th District Vice Chairman Steve Fair’s entertaining auction of donated items. The hit of the evening was a coconut cream pie baked and donated by former Central High Mayor Julie McKinney, which was purchased by the owner of Don José restaurant, Tony Lopez. A second pie, yet to be baked, brought $1200 and purchased by Linda Huggard of Oklahoma City.
Other items included a stay at a cabin rental at Medicine Park, a package of beef steaks from the Drummond Ranch, a .22 caliber rifle donated by Duncan Mayor Robert Armstrong. Four Charlie Kirk T-shirts also brought $350 each.
Several attendees said they discovered who they would vote for in the governor’s race while some admitted their need to further research the candidates before heading to the polls.
Those attending consumed 400 pounds of fried fish, 40 gallons of beans, 300 pounds of potato salad, 15 gallons of sliced dill pickles and four gallons of jalapeños.
The primary election is scheduled for June 16 with early voting beginning June 10. Please vote!