The Republican said Monday night an investigation of his 2004 campaign scared off contributors. He still predicted he will win and called donations to his opponents "a lot of money down the toilet.”
Rinehart faces a campaign corruption trial in September.
Rinehart's fundraising lags far behind his collections at the same point in the 2004 race. Overall, he reported raising $215,676 on his 2004 campaign. This year, he faces two Republican opponents — J.D. Johnston and Brian Maughan. The primary is next week.
Johnston, an oil-field equipment businessman, said he has loaned his campaign $180,000. He said he has collected only a little from friends because "I just didn't want any question about where my money comes from.”
Maughan, a former Oklahoma County employee, reported raising $58,784. He said most of the donations are from friends but some came from Republican activists who think Rinehart "is an embarrassment to the party.”
The two Democrats seeking Rinehart's job raised very little. Jim Dickinson reported collecting $2,341 so far. Bobby Boyster reported raising $325.
Rinehart stirred up controversy again last week because he is sending a political comic book to voters as part of his re-election campaign.
The comic book is critical of his opponents, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel, homosexuals and others.
Edmondson's assistants are prosecuting Rinehart in his September trial. The District 2 commissioner on Monday night called Edmondson a rogue attorney general. Rinehart said Edmondson sent a "puppet investigator to every one of my (2004) contributors, scaring them to death.” Edmondson has said before that Rinehart's comments are not worthy of rebuttal.
"I have scrimped and lived on a lot less most of my life. My very first campaign, for city council, was on a shoestring,” Rinehart said. "I've done it before. And I'll do it again. We'll see who ends up on top.”
In other Oklahoma County races, County Clerk Carolynn Caudill, a Republican, has raised $64,631, records show. Her opponent, Stan Inman, a Republican, raised $74,208.
Whetsel, the sheriff, reported that he has raised $235,774.
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I want to meet ONE supporter. Just one. Does he have one left? Anyone? Bueller?
Hadn't thought about it that way, anthony. Can you imagine Brent in an orange jumpsuit with Wetsel and his deputies waiting for him? Time for your de-lousing, boy. Hahahaha!
HAHA Rinehart is the biggest loser ever....... I can't wait until he ends up in the Oklahoma County Detention Center. He will smart off to one of the detention officers and he will get the crap knocked out of him. This guy is NUTS!!!!!!
I hope after he loses the election he goes fulltime into the publishing business...that comic book was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time...maybe all the other repugs will hire him to write one for them...imagine the material he would have!
Rinehart's a joke to say things like this. News9 showed a map today and Brian Maughan is firmly leading in all areas of the district. Rinehart isn't even leading in his hometown area of mid-del. He will be crushed.
Linda great comments, way to do your candidate research. Ray Vaughn...out; Mick Cornett...out; Jim Roth...out; Carolyn Caudill...out; All judges...out; anyone who is in office, regardless of their accomplishments or qualifications...OUT
Probably the dumbest statements I've heard in a while.
NO HE SHOULD NOT BE RE ELECTED. Every one needs to vote out all those who are running for relection. Get rid of all those who are just sitting there and doing nothing to help the human race. I never vote to keep the judges, or any one in office now. I recived his so called comic book through the mail. I did not ask for it, have not read it and will not read it. I'm going to mail it back to him.
This guy is delusional. Life as he knows it is about to end once he's in the slammer. His comic book is the worst thing I've seen in my lifetime of following state and local politics.
Rinehart's political career will be down the toilet after this election. I can't believe he has an ego bigger than the national deficit. What an embarrassment to Oklahoma County.
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Probably the dumbest statements I've heard in a while.