G 825.8 T766t 1991 C.3 INAUGURAL FINANCE COMMITTEE
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G 825.8 T766t 1991 c.3 INAUGURAL FINANCE COMMITTEE UNDERWRITERS First Interstate Bank Larry Derryberry Clayton and Marnie Taylor Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert Gibson The Coastal Corporation Allen Coles Oklahoma Farmers Union Jim Walker Kerr-McGee Corporation Henry Taliaferro Public Service Company of Oklahoma BENEFACTORS Oklahoma Bankers Association Blue Cross and Blue Shield Fred Jones Ford BancFirst Martin Stringer Harrison Gypsum Incorporated Rusty Harrison Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Joe Hampton Association of Oklahoma Jerry Franks ARKLA Incorporated General Contractors Sooner Pipe and Supply Corporation Phillips Petroleum Company J.B. Ellis Liberty Bank Al and Janet Hardin Phillip Morris Panhandle Eastern Corporation Conoco Incorporated PATRONS Oklahoma Livestock FRIENDS Fine Arts Engraving Alexander Energy Marketing Association Control Communications Company Corporation Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Kennedy Hardee's Food Systems Baptist Medical Center Ashton Ashton Wisener Oklahoma Farm Bureau Incorporated Sweet Connection and Munkacsy Oklahoma Seed Trade Calvert Plants Gary Dale's Barbeque Dr. and Mrs. Loyal Farmer Association Homeland Incorporated Ron Haggard HTB Incorporated Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Henry First Resource Marketing Rainbo Baking Company Cary and Shelley Myatt Benny Vanatta Century Ice Pratt's Foods Mike Cantrell Oklahoma Associations of Neighbor's Quality Louise Jones Mr. and Mrs. Phil Ferrell Electric Cooperatives Coffee House Crystal Sutton ORYX Energy Company T.J. Thompson and Fifth Season Inn Willow Creek Country Club John P. and Cindy Zelbst Associates Cardinal Paper Company Ideas in Ice Plains Resources Medicenter Incorporated Morrison's Flower Shop Laredo's Mexican Restaurant First Mustang State Bank Mr. and Mrs. Chesley Scott Galloway Alberta's Tea Room Hershel Lamirand Montague ABC Furniture Company Jackie Holman Catering Exxon Company USA Dan Fioroni United Systems Cain's Coffee Company Oklahoma Grain and Johnston's Towing Company City Bites Braum's Feed Association and Johnston's Port 33 Oklahoma Federation of Col. Tom A. Thomas Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Don Gaskins Oklahoma Dental Indian Women Coach House Oklahoma Fertilizer and Association Cake Decorator's Delight Oak Tree Country Club Chemical Association Tomy Frasier Charles T. Henry John Bennett Leo Cravens Huffman Arrington Kihle Skaggs Shaffer Catering Company Gaberino & Dunn Madewell and Madewell American Fidelity Gilt Edge Farms Linda Tripp Catering ARCO Oil and Gas Company Service Master Merco Consultants Mr. and Mrs. Bedford Corporation Bill Atkinson ABC Cookie Company Prime Time Travel Mitchell Oklahoma General Agency Robert Williams Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mills Oklahoma Agriculture/Rural Leo's Bar-B-Que Twin Hills Country Club Cable Television Operators Council Remington Park Coors Central of Oklahoma Bank of Oklahoma Foster's Flowers and Gifts Mr. and Mrs. William H. Mr. and Mrs. Lou Gatti The Metro Crawford Oklahoma Farm Bureau J. Patrick Collins ixeally, it all began almost five years ago, when a dynamic young businessman, alarmed at the economic stagnation that had befallen his beloved state, decided to try to set things right by running for Governor. Despite overwhelming odds, he won the Democratic nomination but lost the general election in one of the closest races in Oklahoma history. Out David Walters wasn't one to give up. When four years failed to produce positive results, he repeated his offer of public service, once again demonstrating his courage, com petence and commitment to change. 1 hus was launched the quest that challenged Oklahomans toward greatness and propelled David Walters into the Governor's office. 1 hus began the trail to triumph. At the time he had no campaign war chest, no public position from which to mount a statewide race. But he did have name recognition, along with an abiding faith that Oklahomans would respond when presented a clear vision of what a new style of leadership could mean for their state. Yet David Walters David with his finance director, Dan Cooney, took nothing for left, and campaign manager, Bill Johnson. granted. And so, in the early days of 1989, he slowly but deliberately started taking the first steps, testing his support and assembling the team that ultimately would assure victory. Two volunteers amid a sea of signs. David with his mother, Evelyn, during the Canute barbecue. The gala at the Oklahoma City Marriott produced some big smiles, as well as a record-setting crowd and record contributions. David and Rhonda with former Attorney General Mike Turpen and his wife, Susan, two great supporters. Hoopla — it's the stuff of which campaigns are made. The outlook was encouraging as he crisscrossed the state during those early days. Support from his previous effort remained solid, and his remarkable family was once again willing to join in the pursuit. And so he invited his friends from throughout Oklahoma to join him for the first of what would become hundreds of campaign events, the "Run of '89" at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Despite icy, cold weather and treacherous road conditions, three times as many friends as expected packed the hall, drawn by their loyalty, their confidence and their hope. David Walters, after all, was running for Governor. There's nothing like winning a trophy for tossing cow chips out in Beaver. Campaigning in Hammon. Rhonda on the campaign trail in Yukon. Taking a call between media interviews at the primary's watch party. They liked what they heard because they knew it was true: That Oklahomans could play it safe and forego progress, or they could take a chance on change and alter the course of history. I he choice was clear and the people responded. And by David in 1989 with Lt. Gov. Robert S. Kerr, Congressman Mike Synar, state House Speaker Steve Lewis the end of the year a and Congressman Wes Wat kins at Synar's barbecue at Western Hills. growing core of supporters had organized and set into motion the myriad of activities that would produce what in the end would be called the "perfect campaign" of David Walters. More than anything, they were convinced 1990 would be the year of a dream realized. Discussing labor issues at the jobsite. David and Rhonda with children Shaun, Tanna, Kristen and Elizabeth. It's another victory and the TV cameras are rolling. David with his top flight chili-cooking crew in 1989. On the stump in western Oklahoma, left, at the State Fair of Oklahoma and in an elementary school classroom. Out it wouldn't happen overnight, and it wouldn't happen without a fight. Long before filing period had opened, the field of potential contenders narrowed, and what first had appeared to be a "wide open" race began to focus on three: David Walters, state House Speaker Steve Lewis and longtime U.S. Congressman Wes Watkins. rlach brought considerable talent and support to the contest. The race would be tough, and it would focus on issues as well as personalities. But few doubted that what was at stake — the future of a state poised at a crossroads — was worthy of the effort. Some jazzy entertainment at the "Run of '89." For David Walters, the arrival of summer pushed the campaign into high gear. Daily contacts with hundreds of his fellow Oklahomans intensified. The candidate listened and he learned, and from their faith and trust he drew his strength. In return, he touched them with his down- to-earth message: That "if you keep electing the same old politicians to the same old jobs, you're going to get the same old government." And that "there's nothing in the soil, the air or the water of Oklahoma that keeps us from being the very best state in the nation." It was refreshing straight talk, and it came from an impressive, articulate young man obviously determined to make a real difference. JNot only, however, did David Walters sound overall themes that struck a vital chord with almost a million Oklahomans. He also offered sound, practical Visiting with friends solutions to problems in Sallisaw, right, and meeting the press. besetting the state, courageously taking firm positions on important issues. lie embraced a con troversial reform plan as a necessary first step in making Oklahoma's education system second to none. He promised to slash bloated bureaucratic budgets and end cronyism and pork-barrel politics. He vowed to be an active, dynamic governor who would relentlessly pursue economic develop ment. He backed term limits for state legislators. And he pledged that in the Walters admin istration, there would be no tax hike without a vote of the people. In addition, David Walters stressed the toughness and no- nonsense approach he learned while growing up on a farm in western Oklahoma. And as the father of four children, he focused on the importance of acting now to build the future all Oklahoma children deserve. lie and his wife Rhonda, together and separately, sounded their call of "A New David's biggest backer, Rhonda. Direction for Oklahoma" from every corner of the state, and the. people answered — with unprecedented amounts of time, effort and money. The Walters bandwagon gained speed even as it took on new supporters, and on three separate occasions Oklahomans offered the most meaningful gift of all. Th eir votes. The candidate at home with some of his youngest fans. The signs on Election Night say it all. David formally announces his candidacy at the "Run of '90" at the Myriad. Campaigning in ••••• _ \ ^ small-town Oklahoma. David Walters placed second in the August 25th primary, closely behind Wes Watkins and ahead of Steve Lewis. The race had been viewed as a tight one, and that closeness materialized. But in the September 17th runoff, David Walters the "underdog" again proved his mettle and appeal.