Cleveland Captures GOP commission primary

Forty-year-old political newcomer Rod Cleveland emerged as the winner in a four-way contest, capturing the Republican Party’s nomination for the District 1 seat of the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners.

Cleveland, a Norman businessman and the youngest of the four candidates, captured 1,338 votes — about 56 percent — to win.

Glen Cosper, a member of the Moore-Norman CareerTech board, finished second with 676 votes, or 28.35 percent.

Norman businessman Randy Rogers, making his second bid for the seat, finished third with 267 votes, and south Oklahoma City attorney Ted Ryals finished a distant fourth with 87 votes, or 3.67 percent.

Cleveland credited a strong message and “lots of walking” for the win.

“I had a message,” he said. “I told the voters what I wanted to see Cleveland County be and become, and I think they received that message and rewarded me with the votes.”

As part of his campaign, Cleveland said he spent a good portion of May “walking doors, shaking hands, listening and doing a lot of note taking.”

“It was about connecting with the voters,” he said.

Cosper, who finished second, congratulated Cleveland for the win.

“Everyone worked hard,” he said. “But Rod worked hard, too, and he won; he did a good job.”

Cosper said the race’s low voter turnout made it “kind of different” but didn’t rule out another campaign for public office.

“Yeah, I might have to consider another race,” he said. “Part of what I had was a good message. I hope he (Cleveland) takes a little bit of what all of us had and uses it. Still, I’m going to support him in the general election.”

While he congratulated Cleveland for his win, south Oklahoma City attorney Ted Ryals said he was “stunned” by the low turnout and his distant, fourth-place finish.

“That’s really something,” he said. “I’m a little stunned. I hope county government works out for everyone.”

Like Cosper, Ryals didn’t rule out another race. “We need people, good people in politics,” he said.

Rogers could not be reached for comment.

With only 2,368 votes of a possible 27,000 cast, county Republican officials said they were disappointed in the voter turnout.

“It was disappointing,” said county Republican chair Roger Warren. “But I expect we’ll do much better in the general election. Rod won because of a lot of hard work, but there’s still more work to do.”

Cleveland now faces Newalla Democrat James Earp in a July 10 general election contest.

The winner of that contest will serve the remainder of the four-year term, previously held by longtime commissioner Bill Graves. The seat became vacant following Graves’ death in April from complications due to surgery.