ODP Chair: "Tulsa Mayor's Win is the First of Many in 2006"

Oklahoma Democratic Chair (ODP) Lisa Pryor said the victory by Democrat Kathy Taylor in the Tulsa mayor's race on Tuesday, April 4th sent a clear message that Oklahoma voters value the ideals of the Democratic Party instead of the incompetent leadership and misplaced values of the Republican Party.

"Democrats have a genuine vision to succeed and create a state where accountability and integrity go hand in hand with building a better community. Kathy Taylor proved that. She ran a great race and will be a tremendous leader for the people of Tulsa," Pryor said. "Kathy Taylor truly earned this victory by defeating an incumbent Republican mayor with a famous last name in Tulsa. With more registered Republicans in Tulsa than Democrats, its obvious that Republicans are dissatisfied with the Republican mayor. The people of Oklahoma know Democrats will provide a better plan to make Oklahoma a better place to work, live and raise a family."

Pryor said the win will propel state Democrats forward in this historic election year. Pryor said the Party will now focus on the State Senate Race in District 38, where Democratic candidate Robbie Kerr is running in a special election to fulfill the term of her late husband, Senator Robert Kerr.

Pryor said the Democratic National Committee's 50 State Strategy helped deliver Taylor's win in Tulsa. The Democratic National Committee's staff in Oklahoma partnered with the Taylor campaign on GOTV efforts and voter education efforts.

"The DNC effort is building a grassroots infrastructure in every jurisdiction of Oklahoma," Pryor said. "The DNC is fulfilling its mission to help our state party. We are building our party from the ground up by recruiting and training volunteers and growing our grassroots network. By investing in people and programs, we are building a better Oklahoma."