The BOk bunch, at-large

More analysis tomorrow, but I had to get this table up where you could see it. As I looked through the C-1 forms filed by Tulsa city candidates, I kept seeing some of the same names over and over again. Almost as if this group of contributors were coordinating their efforts. So I made a table to show certain contributors and the campaigns they helped. The candidates, districts, and parties are on the left side, the contributors are along the top. Here are the names and affiliations of the contributors:

• George Kaiser, chairman of Bank of Oklahoma
• Bank of Oklahoma Financial Corp PAC
• Robert C. Poe, former president of the Tulsa Metro Chamber
• John Brock, wrote fast-tracked Tulsa Whirled guest opinions in support of at-large councilors and having the city give $7.5 million to BOk to repay money the City doesn't owe
• Oklahoma Realtors PAC
• Arthur H. "Chip" McElroy, II, president, McElroy Mfg. Co., and chairman of Tulsans for Better Government, the group backing the at-large supercouncilor proposal
• John and Mary Ann Bumgarner -- involved in development of the 15th & Utica Arvest Bank
• Howard G. Barnett, advocate of at-large supercouncilors, named by LaFortune to his "Citizens Commission" studying city government
• Art Justis, former City Councilor for District 6 -- the $1,000 shows up on his campaign filing as a contribution to David Patrick's campaign, but Patrick didn't disclose the contribution
• Jay Helm, American Residential Group
• Leonard and Patty Eaton -- backers of the at-large councilor proposal

That last row is for Grow Tulsa PAC, 20 E 5th #1500, which received $5,000 each from Barnett, Kaiser, and BOk PAC, and $1,000 each from C. Arnold Brown, Dave Presley, and Reuben Davis. All their contributions came between January 31 and February 10, and they list no expenditures. In block 3 on the form, Office Sought, is filled in with "Councilors." Evidently this will allow them to channel more money to favored council races during the last week before the primaries.

There are more interesting items -- I'm just scratching the surface. Particularly with the first five columns, it looks a lot like a coordinated council-packing effort. These donors only gave to these candidates -- no variation in other races. It's as if they've put together a team, a slate of candidates.

How did Jack Henderson get on the list? Possibly because he is a shoo-in for re-election, and they wanted to get on his good side.

Dist	Candidate	Kaiser	BOk PAC	Poe	Brock	Realtor PAC	McElroy	Bumgarner	Barnett	Justis	Helm	Eaton
1	Henderson (D)	500	500					500
2	Prather (R)	1000	1000	600	1000	1000		3000			1000
3	Patrick (D)	1500	1000	800	1000	1500	1000	3000		1000
4	Wing (D)			600	1000		500			250
5	Martinson (R)	1000	1000	700			500	2000
6	Buchert (R)	1000	1000	700	1000	1000						250
7	Zarley (R)	500	1000	500								500
8	Christiansen (R)	1000	1000	800	1000
9	Stava (R)	1000	1000	900			2500
M	LaFortune	1000	2000		1000	3000	3000		2500		2500
M	Taylor	2500	2000								5000	5000
	GROW TULSA PAC	5000	5000						5000

If you want more, tune into 1170 KFAQ tomorrow morning from 6 to 7. I need some sleep! UPDATE: Here are links to the Tulsa World's stories on campaign contributions, with lists of contributors: Most candidates. Randi Miller and other late filers.