Coffee Names Randy Swanson to Senate GOP Communications Post

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, announced today that Randy Swanson of Yukon will join Coffee’s Senate leadership staff as Majority Leadership Communications Director.

Swanson brings more than 25 years of experience in public relations, politics and government service to the State Senate. He will direct media, press, and public outreach activities for Coffee and the Senate’s Republican leadership team. For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate.

“Randy has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector, so we’re very excited about bringing his many talents to the State Senate,” stated Coffee. “Randy Swanson will do a great job helping Senate Republicans get out our message of fiscal responsibility, traditional values, creating jobs, and reforming state government,” he said.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to join the President Pro Tem’s leadership staff at this historic time,” said Swanson. “Senator Coffee is a remarkable and distinguished leader. I appreciate the confidence he has in me, and I look forward to helping the members of the Senate’s new majority tell our story in the upcoming legislative session.”

During the 2008 election cycle, Swanson served as executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Senatorial Committee. Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

Swanson, 50, is a former chief of staff and press secretary to U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and a former administrative aide and campaign manager to former Corporation Commissioner J.C. Watts. He also is a former regional political director for the Republican National Committee.

In addition to political and government experience, he has consulted various local, national, and international ministries and non-profit organizations on media and public relations. Swanson's volunteer activities include work as Public Relations Chairman for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and as a publicist for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity.

Randy Swanson has been married to his wife Carol for 28 years. Carol Swanson is teacher in the Yukon Public Schools system. The Swansons have three sons: David, 20, is a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Joel, 16, and Luke, 13, are students in Yukon Public Schools.

The Swansons are active members of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Swanson is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in communications and business.

He starts his new job at the State Senate on December 1.

Senator expects competitive race in defense of seat

Senator expects competitive race
in defense of seat

By John Greiner
Capitol Bureau
Sun May 18, 2008

Republicans haven't designated Tulsa Democrat Sen. Tom Adelson as a target in this year's election, but if they do, he's armed with a lot of money to defend his seat.

Adelson, who will seek re-election to Senate District 33 in Tulsa, leads all state senators in money raised so far. Experience tells him he may need every bit of it.

So far, Republicans have targeted two seats, but party leaders say more are on the way.

The latest information shows that Adelson has $368,988, which includes a $275,000 personal loan he made to his campaign in 2004.

Adelson, former cabinet secretary of health for Gov. Brad Henry, said the district is competitive. Tulsa's Senate District 33 has 18,771 registered Democrats, 16,796 registered Republicans, and 5,312 registered independents.

Adelson said he has 371 individual contributions to his campaign, plus 56 from political action committees.

"I'm prepared for a competitive race,” Adelson said.

GOP focus on 2 seats ... for now
The race was tight in 2004.
That year, the Senate District 33 seat was open because term limits forced out Democrat Penny Williams. Republicans thought they would have a good chance in that race.

Democrats and Republicans held primary elections to pick their candidates.

Adelson's opponent was Dewey Bartlett Jr., the son of the late Gov. Dewey Bartlett. Adelson defeated Bartlett with 51.4 percent of the vote.

Randy Swanson, director of the Oklahoma State Republican Senatorial Committee, said the committee has targeted only two Senate seats so far.

One is Senate District 37, represented by Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Tulsa, who was elected in 2000 as a Republican.

In 2006, following an unsuccessful race for lieutenant governor, Riley switched her registration to Democrat.

Riley's decision had a major effect on the intentions of Senate Republicans who thought they could take over the Senate in 2006.

The result was 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans, forcing a power sharing agreement in the Senate during the past two legislative sessions.

Riley has raised $141,501. No one has officially announced candidacy to challenge Riley.

Swanson said the other targeted seat is Senate District 21, which is held by Democrat Senate leader Mike Morgan, who can't run because of term limits.

Former Oklahoma State University President James E. Halligan has said he intends to run for the seat. Halligan, a Republican, has raised $197,397. No one else has announced plans to seek the seat.