Volume 17 , Issue 35

NW Okie's Journey

Remember when Oklahoma had Democratic Party voters? You have to look back to the late 1950's and into the mid-1960's (1964) to be exact to find the really strong Democratic Party of Oklahoma.

Found on Newspapers.com

The following news article comes from the "Miami Daily News-Record," in Miami, Oklahoma, dated 31 December 1959, Thursday, with this front page headline: "McGill Campaign Plans Draw Blast."

Oklahoma City (AP) -- State Democratic Chairman Gene McGill, Alva, announced he was starting a six week flying campaign for re-election and his opponent promptly criticized him for running "scared."

McGill, who would travel in his own airplane, said he would visit Democratic leaders in all 77 counties. Pat Malloy, Tulsa attorney supported by Gov. J. Howard Edmondson for party chairman, said, "He must be scared - a month ago he said he had it all wrapped up."

"I don't think this thing should be run like a gubernatorial campaign," Malloy added.

He said he had talked with some party leaders and plans to visit with others before the precinct and county conventions in February.

"But I'm not going to make a marathon out of it," he said.

Election of a chairman for a 2 year term would come at the state convention in March. But precinct and county elections were important.

Delegates to the county conventions would be chosen at precinct caucuses and officers elected at county and district meetings would be delegates to the state convention.

Edmondson supported Malloy back in September, 1959. But the party's executive committee chose McGill to finish the unexpired term of Loyd Benefield, who resigned.

In announcing his tour, McGill said, "My aim in visiting regular Democrats throughout the state is to assure them that, if elected, I will follow their recommendations ahead of anyone else. The party belongs to each voting Democrat equally. The majority view would therefore prevail in all party matters. I will continue to reflect this majority opinion of Oklahoma Democrats if elected to a full term as state chairman."

Good Night! Good Luck!
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