OKLAHOMA CITY -- Earlier this week, had you asked your typical House Republican who they thought would be the next Speaker, you would have probably been told, "Gus Blackwell."
If you had asked that same question two weeks ago, your answer would have been "Lance Cargill."
Ask it today and you won't get an answer.
With just three days to go before the beginning of the 2008 legislative session, most pundits, experts and even the legislators, themselves, aren't talking about tax policy or education funding.
Instead, the focus is on who will lead the House.
And right now the race is wide open.
With Thursday's announcement that Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell was dropping out of the race because he, too, had failed to pay his property taxes on time, all bets are off on who serve as the next leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Considered the third most powerful position in state governorment -- following the governor and Senate president pro tempore -- the job of speaker is much like runing a multi-million dollar company with several hundred workers, many of whom are absolutely sure they could run things better.
"Being speaker is a tough job," said Don Hoover an Oklahoma City political consultant. "All eyes are focused on the speaker. They are the face of their party."
Just a few weeks ago, that face was of a 35-year-old attorney from Harrah.
Earlier this week, the face changed to that of a 53-year-old former campus minister.
By Thursday evening, the face had changed again.
The surprises continued.
"I was shocked and surprised," Blackwell told The Associated Press Thursday, after he announced his withdrawl. "I have never been told that my taxes were late in any way, shape or form. I'm not blaming anyone but myself."
Up until Thursday afternoon, Blackwell had been the assumed front runner. In fact, the House's GOP floor leader, Greg Piatt of Ardmore, told the AP that Blackwell had secured enough votes to be designated the next House speaker by Republican House members.
That afternoon, things changed.
Word got out that Blackwell had paid property taxes in Texas County late for the past 13 years and shortly thereafter, Blackwell withdrew his name from consideration.
Blackwell said he made the move to prevent becoming a distraction that might interfere with passage of Republican-backed legislation.
"In the present political atmosphere of search and destroy, I wish for the new speaker to go in without any excess baggage so we can have a productive session," he said.
But Blackwell's problems are far from other.
Thursday evening, at least one Republican House member questioned whether Blackwell should keep his position as speaker pro tempore.
Moore Republican Rep. Paul Wesselhoft told an Oklahoma City television station Thursday night the next question GOP legislators face is, "Should Gus Blackwell remain our speaker pro tem?"
Wesselhoft answered the question saying, "I think not."
With Blackwell gone, the race for speaker took a turn toward the dramatic.
Representatives Susan Winchester, Chris Benge, Dale DeWitt and John Wright have all announced they are running for speaker.
On the Democratic side, minority leader Danny Morgan said that he, too, would be a candidate for the top post.
Of course, Morgan's election is unlikely, given that the Republicans hold 57 of the Houses 101 seats.
Still, even with the entry and exit of House leaders becoming an almost daily occurrence, one fact remains certain: By next Tuesday, someone will be serving as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
But right now, no one knows just who that will be.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
CARGILL RESIGNS AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
OKLAHOMA CITY — Less than a week after he spoke in Norman touting his achievements as House speaker, state Rep. Lance Cargill resigned his post as House leader under pressure from his own caucus.
Cargill, 35, made the announcement Monday afternoon, during a conference call with members of the House’s Republican caucus. Cargill did not appear personally before caucus members; and later, made a public statement from the House lounge.
In an e-mailed statement to The Norman Transcript, Cargill said he wanted his ideas to be moved forward “without the burden” of personal stories.
“I have decided to step aside today as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives,” Cargill said. “I want nothing more than to have good ideas to move forward without the burden of being weighed down by personal stories about me. I have always said my leadership has been about good ideas, and this move will allow those ideas to flourish as they should.”
Cargill — the nation’s youngest House speaker — has been under fire after published reports indicated he submitted late property tax payments on his Harrah law office six years in a row.
Cargill also reportedly failed to file state personal income tax returns in 2005 and 2006.
Additionally, questions have been raised about fundraising activities in 2004 by a House GOP political action committee headed by Cargill. The Ethics Commission has opened an investigation into the issue.
And last year, Cargill was criticized after he summoned lobbyists to one-on-one meetings at a political consultant’s office to seek contributions to Republican political action committees and for the speaker’s “100 Ideas Initiative.”
“For several weeks, our policies heading into the session have been buried in the newspapers,” he said. “While personal stories have remained on the front pages. I take full responsibility for that, and hope that a new speaker can shift the focus back to the future of this great state.”
Cargill said he made the decision over the weekend, after polling members of the House GOP caucus.
“This decision came after I spoke with most of my colleagues over the weekend. I am humbled and honored by the outpouring of support the caucus has shown me and their continued endorsement in my leadership. But one of the responsibilities of a leader is putting the needs of the whole before the needs of my own,” he said.
While Cargill did not resign from his elected House seat, his resignation as speaker — just one week before the legislative session — put Republicans on the defensive, and sent the House’s leadership team scurrying to find a new leader before the legislative session begins.
Published reports indicate that Rep. Gus Blackwell, a Goodwell Republican, will take over the role of speaker temporarily.
“Rep. (Gus) Blackwell will be acting speaker for right now,” state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft said. “But we will have a new speaker by the time session starts. I know that Rep. Susan Winchester and Rep. John Wright are going to run and maybe someone else who’s not expected.”
Both Wright and Winchester sought the position four years ago. Neither House member could be reach for comment.
State Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, said he is hopeful the Republicans can now move forward to the state’s pressing issues.
“Lance did the right thing and I’m hopeful we can move beyond this and redirect our focus to the issues facing our state,” Martin said.
Martin said the resignation caught him by surprise even though he had heard “lots of talk” about the speaker’s tax problems. “No one person is bigger than the process,” he said.
Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said he was saddened by Cargill’s resignation, but added the act was necessary.
“It’s sad but necessary and I graciously accept his resignation,” Wesselhoft said. “My prayers are with Lance and his wife, Amber. But I think things will be smoother now. This was an obstacle that had to be resolved. Now the pavement should be smoother.”
Cargill’s tax problems, he said, had been an issue for caucus members “for some time.”
“Here’s the bottom line,” Wesselhoft said. “Most people don’t relate to everything we do up here. But everyone, and I mean everyone, can relate to paying taxes. That’s why it (Cargill’s resignation) had to be done.”
State Republican leaders agreed.
Republican State Chairman Gary Jones told an Oklahoma City radio station that Cargill’s resignation was “the right thing to do.”
He did the honorable thing in stepping aside, Jones said.
Cargill said House Republicans will spend the next few days working on a transition for a new speaker.
“I know there are a lot of questions about how this move will impact the upcoming session,” he said. “Our caucus is working out the details and we will have more answers in the coming days.”
Cargill, 35, made the announcement Monday afternoon, during a conference call with members of the House’s Republican caucus. Cargill did not appear personally before caucus members; and later, made a public statement from the House lounge.
In an e-mailed statement to The Norman Transcript, Cargill said he wanted his ideas to be moved forward “without the burden” of personal stories.
“I have decided to step aside today as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives,” Cargill said. “I want nothing more than to have good ideas to move forward without the burden of being weighed down by personal stories about me. I have always said my leadership has been about good ideas, and this move will allow those ideas to flourish as they should.”
Cargill — the nation’s youngest House speaker — has been under fire after published reports indicated he submitted late property tax payments on his Harrah law office six years in a row.
Cargill also reportedly failed to file state personal income tax returns in 2005 and 2006.
Additionally, questions have been raised about fundraising activities in 2004 by a House GOP political action committee headed by Cargill. The Ethics Commission has opened an investigation into the issue.
And last year, Cargill was criticized after he summoned lobbyists to one-on-one meetings at a political consultant’s office to seek contributions to Republican political action committees and for the speaker’s “100 Ideas Initiative.”
“For several weeks, our policies heading into the session have been buried in the newspapers,” he said. “While personal stories have remained on the front pages. I take full responsibility for that, and hope that a new speaker can shift the focus back to the future of this great state.”
Cargill said he made the decision over the weekend, after polling members of the House GOP caucus.
“This decision came after I spoke with most of my colleagues over the weekend. I am humbled and honored by the outpouring of support the caucus has shown me and their continued endorsement in my leadership. But one of the responsibilities of a leader is putting the needs of the whole before the needs of my own,” he said.
While Cargill did not resign from his elected House seat, his resignation as speaker — just one week before the legislative session — put Republicans on the defensive, and sent the House’s leadership team scurrying to find a new leader before the legislative session begins.
Published reports indicate that Rep. Gus Blackwell, a Goodwell Republican, will take over the role of speaker temporarily.
“Rep. (Gus) Blackwell will be acting speaker for right now,” state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft said. “But we will have a new speaker by the time session starts. I know that Rep. Susan Winchester and Rep. John Wright are going to run and maybe someone else who’s not expected.”
Both Wright and Winchester sought the position four years ago. Neither House member could be reach for comment.
State Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, said he is hopeful the Republicans can now move forward to the state’s pressing issues.
“Lance did the right thing and I’m hopeful we can move beyond this and redirect our focus to the issues facing our state,” Martin said.
Martin said the resignation caught him by surprise even though he had heard “lots of talk” about the speaker’s tax problems. “No one person is bigger than the process,” he said.
Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said he was saddened by Cargill’s resignation, but added the act was necessary.
“It’s sad but necessary and I graciously accept his resignation,” Wesselhoft said. “My prayers are with Lance and his wife, Amber. But I think things will be smoother now. This was an obstacle that had to be resolved. Now the pavement should be smoother.”
Cargill’s tax problems, he said, had been an issue for caucus members “for some time.”
“Here’s the bottom line,” Wesselhoft said. “Most people don’t relate to everything we do up here. But everyone, and I mean everyone, can relate to paying taxes. That’s why it (Cargill’s resignation) had to be done.”
State Republican leaders agreed.
Republican State Chairman Gary Jones told an Oklahoma City radio station that Cargill’s resignation was “the right thing to do.”
He did the honorable thing in stepping aside, Jones said.
Cargill said House Republicans will spend the next few days working on a transition for a new speaker.
“I know there are a lot of questions about how this move will impact the upcoming session,” he said. “Our caucus is working out the details and we will have more answers in the coming days.”
Nations: Cargill's resignation expected
OKLAHOMA CITY — While some of the state’s political leaders were caught off guard by House Speaker Lance Cargill’s resignation Monday, some members of Cleveland County’s legislative delegation said they weren’t too surprised.
Monday, Cargill resigned as speaker, following published stories that indicated he had failed to pay his property tax on time, did not file state personal income tax returns and is under an Ethics Commission investigation because of his fundraising activities.
State Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, said Cargill’s tax problems had been the “topic of discussion” among House members for several months. “Personally, I’m not surprised,” he said. “I know there’s been a lot of discussion (over this) for a while.”
And while Nation said he “hated to see anything bad” happen to Cargill, he said Cargill’s resignation “might be the best thing for the GOP caucus this legislative session.”
“Him continuing as speaker would have made it very difficult for the GOP to operate in the House,” he said. “There would have been a cloud over him. With the welfare of the citizens of the State of Oklahoma in mind, (the) resignation is probably the best thing.”
Moore Republican Paul Wesselhoft agreed.
“Rep. Cargill is not a victim of the media,” Wesselhoft said. “He brought some of these problems on himself and now he’s having to face the full responsibility of that. I’m sure it was a tough decision for him to make.”
Cargill’s resignation, Wesselhoft said, makes for a “brighter future” for the GOP. “We can move forward now that we have this resolved.”
But other political experts say Cargill’s resignation — coming just a week before the beginning of the next legislative session — could hamper some of the GOP’s legislative agenda.
Don Hoover, an Oklahoma City Democratic campaign consultant said Cargill had no choice but to resign because House Republicans had spent “a great deal of time” talking about tax issues and tax cuts.
“The Speaker of the House is the face of the Oklahoma Republican Party right now,” Hoover said. “They’ve talked a lot about tax cuts and tax polity. So I’m not surprised there’s pressure to make a change.”
And that change, Hoover said, is going to throw Republicans “off their game.”
“The timing is unfortunate for Republicans,” he said. “Mainly because it’s the beginning of the legislative session. Now there’s lots of dust in the air and it will take some time for it to settle.”
Still, Hoover said the House Republicans should survive with their majority intact.
“I would say it will have minimal impact on maintaining control of the House,” he said. “The Republicans have a solid majority. They are not in control because of Lance Cargill, they are in control because for years Oklahoma has been trending in the GOP’s direction.”
Cargill is the second House leader to be forced out of his position in recent history. Eighteen years ago, on May 17, 1989, then-Speaker Jim Barker, a Democrat from Muskogee, was forced out the speaker’s office following a 72-25 vote.
Monday, Cargill resigned as speaker, following published stories that indicated he had failed to pay his property tax on time, did not file state personal income tax returns and is under an Ethics Commission investigation because of his fundraising activities.
State Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, said Cargill’s tax problems had been the “topic of discussion” among House members for several months. “Personally, I’m not surprised,” he said. “I know there’s been a lot of discussion (over this) for a while.”
And while Nation said he “hated to see anything bad” happen to Cargill, he said Cargill’s resignation “might be the best thing for the GOP caucus this legislative session.”
“Him continuing as speaker would have made it very difficult for the GOP to operate in the House,” he said. “There would have been a cloud over him. With the welfare of the citizens of the State of Oklahoma in mind, (the) resignation is probably the best thing.”
Moore Republican Paul Wesselhoft agreed.
“Rep. Cargill is not a victim of the media,” Wesselhoft said. “He brought some of these problems on himself and now he’s having to face the full responsibility of that. I’m sure it was a tough decision for him to make.”
Cargill’s resignation, Wesselhoft said, makes for a “brighter future” for the GOP. “We can move forward now that we have this resolved.”
But other political experts say Cargill’s resignation — coming just a week before the beginning of the next legislative session — could hamper some of the GOP’s legislative agenda.
Don Hoover, an Oklahoma City Democratic campaign consultant said Cargill had no choice but to resign because House Republicans had spent “a great deal of time” talking about tax issues and tax cuts.
“The Speaker of the House is the face of the Oklahoma Republican Party right now,” Hoover said. “They’ve talked a lot about tax cuts and tax polity. So I’m not surprised there’s pressure to make a change.”
And that change, Hoover said, is going to throw Republicans “off their game.”
“The timing is unfortunate for Republicans,” he said. “Mainly because it’s the beginning of the legislative session. Now there’s lots of dust in the air and it will take some time for it to settle.”
Still, Hoover said the House Republicans should survive with their majority intact.
“I would say it will have minimal impact on maintaining control of the House,” he said. “The Republicans have a solid majority. They are not in control because of Lance Cargill, they are in control because for years Oklahoma has been trending in the GOP’s direction.”
Cargill is the second House leader to be forced out of his position in recent history. Eighteen years ago, on May 17, 1989, then-Speaker Jim Barker, a Democrat from Muskogee, was forced out the speaker’s office following a 72-25 vote.
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