Karen Keith dodges media in county race
Democrat Karen Keith, a candidate for Tulsa County Commission District 2, is dodging newspaper and radio interviews and has refused to debate her Republican opponent Sally Bell.
The election to replace Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller is Nov. 4.
The Tulsa Beacon contacted Keith’s campaign on Sept. 18 requesting an interview for the newspaper plus a broadcast interview on KCFO AM970 (Christian Talk format). She did not respond to the request.
Keith also has refused to be interviewed by conservative talk show host Pat Campbell on his morning show on KFAQ 1170 AM. KFAQ has not taken a position for or against either candidate. Campbell interviewed both Miller and Bell during a heated primary race.
Here is the text of Keith’s e-mail to Campbell:
“I appreciate your offer to appear on KFAQ. In as much as your station has already made their choice in this race and your audience and guests (Michael Bates, Charles Biggs, et. al) are already committed to electing my opponent, there is no advantage to me to appear on your program.”
Biggs is publisher and editor of the Tulsa Beacon.
Keith has been endorsed by some liberal Republicans.
Former County Commissioner Bob Dick, who was previously a registered Democrat, stated on her website, “It’s more important to me that we elect the right person than it is to get a Republican elected to a county office.”
Republican Clay Bird, a former city councilor who was part of ex-mayor Bill LaFortune’s staff with Keith, stated, “The County Commission race should not be about political affiliation… I am proud to call Karen Keith my friend. I hope I will soon be able to call her my County Commissioner.”
Keith helped create TulsaNow, a liberal organization with a blog website. She has been involved in the Brookside Business Association for many years and was instrumental in creating a Halloween parade.
Keith is a member of the board of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, the Governors Judicial Nominating Committee, member of Leadership Oklahoma Class 20, The Oklahoma Academy, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture and the State 4-H Foundation.
She is married to Tulsa attorney Patrick Mallory, who is working on the Great Plains Airlines bankruptcy case. While working for LaFortune, Keith was an outspoken advocate for Vision 2025, a billion dollar county sales tax increase that included a failed effort to bring a new Boeing plant to Tulsa.
Bell, who has appeared on both the Pat Campbell Show and the Chris Medlock Show in the afternoon on KFAQ, has also agreed to an interview with the Tulsa Beacon and an appearance on KFCO.
Bell is the former chief financial officer for the family owned Bell’s Amusement Park.
A political newcomer, Bell soundly defeated Miller by an 81-19 percent margin in the Republican primary.
Bell has pledged that she would fight any new taxes. She has called for more openness in county government, suggesting that some boards hold meetings at night so citizens who work during the day may attend. She wants a more business friendly attitude in the county and more oversight in the management of the Fairgrounds.
She advocates better funding of the Sheriff’s Department.