State Rep. Randy Terrill calls bribery charge politically motivated

Democrat District Attorney David Prater has charged me with offering a “bribe” to induce Senator Debbie Leftwich to withdraw as a candidate from a political contest.[1]  He charged me despite the fact that Senator Leftwich never filed as a candidate[2], it was impossible for her to withdraw from an election she never entered,[3] and in the 21 page "Affidavit of Probable Cause" hasn't offered a shred of evidence that I ever made an offer to give her anything.

The preceding filed against me is purely a political take-out maneuver without any factual or legal justification.  I am innocent, I’ve done nothing improper, and I'm confident I will be exonerated.  But the whole point of filing the charge is simply to damage me politically, and I seriously doubt there is even an expectation that it will succeed as a matter of law.  For my opponents, however, if they can abuse the process by forcing me to take a mug shot for the front page of the Oklahoman, then they will sadly consider that a victory.

Merry Christmas, best wishes always and God bless!

For The Republic,

Rep. Randy Terrill

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[1] 26 O.S. Sec. 16-107 of Oklahoma’s Election Code prevents giving a thing of value to a “candidate” to “withdraw” from an election.

[2] 26 O.S. Sec. 5-101 of Oklahoma’s Election Code defines a candidate as person who has filed a Declaration of Candidacy.

[3] 26 O.S. Sec. 5-115 of Oklahoma’s Election Code details the specific time, manner, and procedure that allows a candidate to withdraw his candidacy.  These requirements are not synonymous with simply failing to file a Declaration of Candidacy.