For Immediate Release
November 8, 2020

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party
angela@okdemocrats.org

Oklahoma Democratic Party Calls for Senators to Acknowledge Biden, Return to Work

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Democratic Party called for Oklahoma Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory and to return to the work of Oklahomans. With 35 days since the November 3rd election and 43 days until Inauguration Day, neither Senator has made any public statement confirming the results of the election.

Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, noted that both Senators stated that they would wait until President Donald Trump’s legal challenges were exhausted, but Andrews says that time has come. “Today is ‘safe harbor’ day, the day by which every state must officially certify its election results. Congress is bound by federal law to accept those certifications. The process has played itself out, and it is time for our Senators to acknowledge that fact,” said Andrews.

President Trump’s legal team has filed dozens of lawsuits in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Georgia. Almost all of the lawsuits have been dismissed, dropped, or were decided against President Trump. None of the remaining legal challenges offer President Trump a path to overturn President-elect Biden’s Electoral College victory.

Andrews also expressed disappointment with Senator Inhofe and Senator Lankford concerning their activities surrounding the Georgia Senate runoff elections scheduled for January 5, 2021.

The Senators co-hosted and attended an in-person fundraiser in Oklahoma City on December 5 that raised money for Georgia Republican Senate candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Few attendees were seen wearing masks or maintaining social distancing. The Republican-led Senate has failed to work with the House to pass any form of relief or economic stimulus since the CARES Act in March. Most of the benefits, including the one-time $1200 stimulus checks, have expired or expire at the end of the year.

“While individuals and small businesses across our state are struggling to make ends meet, our Senators hosted a super-spreader fundraiser for the Georgia runoff. Not only was this irresponsible in light of the ongoing pandemic, it was a slap in the face to every Oklahoman desperate for help from the federal government. It is long past time for them to recognize the election results and get back to work on a relief package to help Oklahomans survive. They are being paid to work, not to wait,” concluded Andrews.

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdemocrats.org, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.