1964, McGill Signals Fresh Leadership Battle in State Democratic Party
Remember back to 1964 when "right to work" was the heat of campaigns in Oklahoma Politics? My dad, Gene McGill, was wanting the Democratic party to remain neutral on the controversial Issue of "right to work." The executive committee of Democratic Party overrode McGill's objections and voted 8-7 to place the party on record opposing right to work legislation.
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In The Lawton Constitution, Lawton, Oklahoma, dated 20 January 1964, Monday, page 17, the headlines read: "McGill Signals Fresh Leadership Battle In State Democratic Party," written by Gaylord Shaw.
OKC (AP) -- Gene McGill, outgoing state Democratic chairman, said he plans to take an active role in election of his successor.
McGill's statement could signal a fresh fight for party control - perhaps similar to battles which erupted in 1960 and 1962 when he survived attempts to oust him.
The chairman also squared off against a majority of the party's Executive committee in a hassle for control of the party's biennial reorganization procedure.
The committee jolted McGill Sunday by creating a "committee on committees" which would have virtual control of the vital state central committee meeting in late March.
Contacted for comment not he committee's action, McGill told a newsman he never promised to remain neutral int he race for chairman.
McGill said that when he announced he would not seek re-election, "I said I would not try to dictate who my successor would be and I don't intend to. I'm certainly not going to stand here and let something like this happen." McGill was referring to the committee's action. McGill said, "I said I would remain active in party affairs. I certainly plan to."
McGill said he would not oppose any candidate seeking the post he has held during four stormy years. But he added, "I will be for someone."
He did not mention any names, but sources say McGill is almost certain to work against one avowed candidate, Smith Hester of Purcell. Hester is an Executive Committee member and a bitter critic of McGill.
McGill indicated he plans to brush aside the Executive Committee's action in forming the new panel. Executive Committee members will be up for re-election about two weeks before the central committee meeting, and McGill apparently believes some members will not be re-elected.
"It's been the practice int eh past for the chairman to appoint committees for the slate central committee meeting, " McGill said.
"I plan to make appointments to these committees after consulting with new Executive Committee members."
The resolution forming the "committee on committees" was adopted despite McGill's objections at a Sunday afternoon Executive Committee meeting.
The new panel would make arrangements for and set the date of the central committee meeting which must be held before March 31. State party officers, including chairman, will be elected at that meeting.
The Executive Committee also adopted a resolution forming a committee to audit state party financial records. McGill did not object to this resolution, saying a private auditor is now completing such a check.
McGill, a wealthy Alva rancher, has been at odds with several Executive Committee members for several months. Late last year, the committee called itself into special session and stripped McGill of a majority of appointments to the key platform committee.
A month later, the group overrode McGill's objections and voted 8-7 to place the party on record opposing right-to-work legislation. McGill wanted the party to remain neutral on the controversial issue.
Nine of the 15 Executive Committee were named to the "committee on committees." S. M. (Buddy) Wilcoxson of Shawnee was chairman. Other members were Paul Kenner, Sayre; Mrs. Warren Shear, Duncan; Mrs. Lucille Lawter, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Marguerite Stephenson, Seminole; J. C. Cobb, aRdmore; Ronald Ford, Helena; Mrs. Janice Lang, Hunter; and Mrs. Grace Hudling, Hubbert.
Mrs. Stephenson was named chairman of the auditing committee. Other members were Ford, Mrs. Long, Wilcoxson, Mrs. Shear, Mrs. Larry Eakins of Ardmore and Mrs. Winona Hogue of Chelsea.
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