After opponent’s withdrawal strengthens his electoral base, Sen. David Holt builds mayoral momentum
Published: November 12th, 2017
David Holt continues to build strong momentum in his race for mayor of Oklahoma City. Withdrawal of his only announced opponent puts the two-term Republican Senator in a commanding position with the election only four months away. When Holt announced his campaign last February
(http://www.www.capitolbeatok.com/reports/calling-for-one-okc-david-holt-enters-race-to-replace-mayor-cornett), few could have imagined he would be have such dominance over the race by now.
Since then, however, he has methodically garnered key endorsements (http://www.www.capitolbeatok.com/reports/editor-s-notebook-four-months-in-david-holt-dominates-the-2018-oklahoma-city-mayoral-race), and is positioned for success.
The Laborers International Union of North America, Local 107, endorsed Sen. Holt last month. Holt said he was proud to have the support of “the men and women who build Oklahoma City.” Holt said, “I am grateful to have the endorsement of the Laborers. We continue to build an unprecedented coalition that fulfills my vision of moving forward together as ‘One OKC’. The Laborers are an important part of OKC. They, and many others like them, are the hard-working men and women who build this city. I look forward to working together to continue our city’s progress.”
“The hard-working men and women of the Laborers International Union of North America are proud to endorse our friend David Holt,” said LIUNA Local 107 Business Manager Arturo Delgado of South Oklahoma City. “The Laborers look forward to working with Holt to build a better, safer, and more prosperous Oklahoma City.”
“The Laborers Union is proud to join the Fire Fighters, Fraternal Order of Police, and hundreds of others in supporting David Holt for Mayor of Oklahoma City,” said Jeremy Hendricks, Southwest Laborers District Council Assistant Business Manager. “Holt has been a solid champion of common sense ideas to address the many problems facing Oklahoma. Oklahoma needs and deserves smart, innovative leadership like that demonstrated by Holt and that’s why we stand with David Holt for Mayor.”
Also last month, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan announced his withdrawal from the race. Maughan said he left the contest because of issues relating to injuries received in a car accident earlier this year.
Holt applauded Maughan’s record as a commissioner, saying he looked forward to working with him in the future.
Patrick B. McGuigan, founder of CapitolBeatOK.com and publisher of The City Sentinel newspaper, commented about Holt’s position in the mayoral race: “Although his campaign had trouble gaining traction in the several months he stayed in the race, Commissioner Maughan is, like Holt himself, an experienced public official with a respected record. Had he stayed in the race, Holt would have faced a real contest, despite his many advantages. As it is now, Maughan’s decision to spend time recovering while remain in his county commission post is the latest, and politically most significant, positive news for Holt.”
McGuigan pointed out that Holt’s broad and early support has, “rather remarkably,” grown every month since the February launch (http://www.www.capitolbeatok.com/reports/sen-holt-s-campaign-for-mayor-has-fundraising-momentum-and-support-from-retired-firefighters).
“In conversations with friends, allies, active supporters and journalists, Sen. Holt conveys he is still running as if he will face a serious opponent. His backing from the public employees unions is another sign of unusual dominance, however, as the filing deadline nears,” McGuigan said.
Concerning the union support, Holt said in a statement, “I am grateful to have the endorsement of the Laborers. We continue to build an unprecedented coalition that fulfills my vision of moving forward together as ‘One OKC’. The Laborers are an important part of OKC. They, and many others like them, are the hard-working men and women who build this city. I look forward to working together to continue our city’s progress.”
“The hard-working men and women of the Laborers International Union of North America are proud to endorse our friend David Holt,” said LIUNA Local 107 Business Manager Arturo Delgado of South Oklahoma City. “The Laborers look forward to working with Holt to build a better, safer, and more prosperous Oklahoma City.”
“The Laborers Union is proud to join the Fire Fighters, Fraternal Order of Police, and hundreds of others in supporting David Holt for Mayor of Oklahoma City,” said Jeremy Hendricks, Southwest Laborers District Council Assistant Business Manager. “Holt has been a solid champion of common sense ideas to address the many problems facing Oklahoma. Oklahoma needs and deserves smart, innovative leadership like that demonstrated by Holt and that’s why we stand with David Holt for Mayor.”
Earlier in October, Holt’s campaign announced that as of September 30, it had garnered a total of $358,546 in campaign donations. In the third quarter of 2017, the Holt campaign raised $150,953.
Contributions have come from a broad base of support, including 502 total donors from 58 different zip codes in the Oklahoma City metro.
Continuing the growing momentum of Holt’s campaign, the third quarter fundraising total of $150,953 represented the largest quarter yet for the campaign.
“We are deeply grateful for the support we have received,” said Holt. “We still have a ways to go in putting together the resources we will need to deliver our optimistic message to the people of Oklahoma City, but we are inspired by the many donors so far who have committed to continuing the Oklahoma City renaissance.”
This fall, Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford announced his support for Holt. Stafford, astronaut and Commander of Apollo 10, is an American and Oklahoma hero. He maintains a home in Oklahoma City, where he is celebrated with a statue in Stars & Stripes Park.
In other campaign news, members of “Team Holt” marched in the Fiestas de las Americas parade on Capitol Hill, and former Thunder basketball star Enes Kanter (still popular with local fans even after his trade to the New York Knicks of the NBA) endorsed Holt in a tweet.
Filing for the mayor’s job will take place December 4, 5 and 6. The primary for the non-partisan post is February 13, 2018. The general election is scheduled for April 3.
NOTE: This story is updated with more information, including Pat McGuigan’s analysis, from a story that first appeared in the November 2017 print edition of The City Sentinel.
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