OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Republicans chose a former banker and state representative as their party’s nominee for state treasurer during last Tuesday’s primary runoff election.
Todd Russ, the former president of the Washita State Bank in Burns Flat, earned 150,431 votes (55.51%) to secure the GOP nomination for state treasurer. Russ’ opponent, former state senator Clark Jolley, had 120,561 votes (44.49%) in the contest. Jolley previous served as chairman of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
The race for treasurer, normally a low-key statewide office, turned ugly this year as each candidate tried to paint their opponent as less-than-conservative. Russ and Jolley clashed over term limits, relationships with the state’s tribal nations, social issues, education and who was really a true Republican during the campaign.
Jolley attacked Russ for his tenure as the head of Washita State Bank, citing documents from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and issuing media statements that expressed “serious concerns about Russ’s bank management and fiscal responsibility.”
Russ criticized Jolley’s term on the Oklahoma Tax Commission. He said he was concerned that Jolley would not push back against “woke” capitalism.
After his win, Russ told supporters he was humbled by their efforts.
“I am very humbled that people care about a clean race and that sticking to the message still matters,” he said. “I am proud of my campaign team and the guidance they gave me and the great voters of Oklahoma who believe in a good clean race in spite of what some opponents might try to do.”
In a posting on the social media site, Facebook, Jolley said he respected the voters’ decision.
“I’m proud of the race we ran and of my team who stood beside me and worked hard for a candidate they believed in,” Jolley’s post read. “But this race has also been a sacrifice for my wife, April, and our children, who have been running this race alongside me so I could try to achieve my dreams. I cannot adequately express how much April has done for me in this effort. It has been a labor of love from her and I’m the most blessed man to have her by my side. So, thank you to all the voters who voted for me. Thank you to all of the donors who believed. Thank you to all the volunteers who put out signs, made phone calls, posted on social media, and prayed for our family. Thank you to my church small group who prayed and were there for us in many ways.”
Jolley said he would continue his service to Oklahoma as a private citizen.
Russ will face Democrat Charles de Coune and Libertarian Greg Sadler in the November general election. The winner will replace current treasurer Randy McDaniel who chose not to run again.