Poinbank Exchange-Self-funded political newcomer seeks to oust longtime Republican US Rep. Tom Cole in Oklahoma

2025-05-03 22:43:33source:XDY Exchangecategory:Markets

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma,Poinbank Exchange the powerful Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, was trying to fend of a primary challenge Tuesday from a businessman who has poured millions of his own dollars into the race.

Political newcomer Paul Bondar has loaned more than $5 million of his own money to his campaign in Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District. Three other GOP candidates are also on the ballot.

Cole, a longtime GOP political strategist in Oklahoma before his election to Congress in 2002, has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. But Bondar’s money has allowed him to blanket the television airwaves and social media with a barrage of ads touting his candidacy.

“Five million dollars in Oklahoma would be like $15 million in Atlanta or $20 million in Los Angeles,” said Chad Alexander, the former chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party and the host of a political talk show on radio station KOKC. “The most frequent question I get asked is when is this election over because there are so many Bondar and Cole ads on the air, people are just sick of them.”

Bondar has also faced questions about his residency. He most recently lived in Texas and voted in that state’s Republican primary in March, which has become a focal point of Cole’s attacks.

RELATED COVERAGE Oklahoma panel denies clemency for man convicted in 1984 killing of 7-year-old girlOklahoma Supreme Court rejects state education board’s authority over public school librariesSooner, then Gator: Florida’s Jocelyn Erickson returns to the WCWS with a new team and a bigger role

Bondar has attacked Cole as a Washington insider willing to vote with Democrats on spending bills, including billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine.

What to know about the 2024 Election

  • Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
  • AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
  • Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.

Cole typically faces only token opposition but records show he has spent more than $3.1 million so far on the primary. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in a primary runoff Aug. 27.

Oklahoma’s 4th District stretches across south-central Oklahoma and includes Ada, Ardmore, Duncan, Lawton/Fort Sill, Moore and Norman.

There are two other Oklahoma congressmen facing challengers.

In the Tulsa-based 1st District, Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern is competing against Paul Royse. Royse has not filed campaign finance disclosures with the Federal Election Commission. On the Democratic side, either Evelyn Rogers, who has sought this seat as an independent in the past two general elections, or former FBI agent Dennis Baker will face the Republican winner in November. Baker has reported almost $91,000 raised to Rogers’ $1,300.

Republican U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, the longest-tenured incumbent in the House delegation, has two challengers, neither of whom reported raising more than $20,000 this cycle.

More:Markets

Recommend

San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A photojournalist who captured one of the most enduring images of World War II

North Carolina governor to welcome historic visitor at mansion: Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — After spending a few days in Washington emphasizing global security concerns, J

Wyndham Clark takes shot at LIV golf when asked about Masters leader Bryson DeChambeau

Wyndham Clark carded 1-over in his first competitive round at Augusta National.When asked if an 8-sh