Political Report Notebook: Debate challenge issued [Tulsa World, Okla.]

July 15-- Rob Wallace wants Wayne Herriman, his Democratic 2nd Congressional District opponent, to debate, but Herriman is having none of it.

Herriman says Aug. 16 -- the date proposed for a televised debate at Rogers State University -- is "too late" for the Aug. 28 election and that his time would be better spent meeting voters.

Wallace's camp says it will meet Herriman any time anywhere.

"I'm not dodging Rob," Herriman said. "He and I have been at 13 events together. There is not an issue we haven't discussed. The voters have seen who we are and know where we stand on the issues."

Wallace spokesman Kyle Gott disagreed. He said Herriman has been vague about his positions and won't engage Wallace in back-and-forth discussions.

Gott said the events referred to by Herriman were "pie auctions" and county party meetings "where you give a three-minute speech and sit down."

Wallace is a former district attorney and assistant U.S. attorney who has emphasized his experience with public policy. Herriman is campaigning as a businessman with no political experience.

Mullin-Faught debate Monday: Republican Congressional District 2 runoff candidates George Faught and Markwayne Mullin will meet Monday night at RSU for a half-hour debate televised by KRSC. It will be shown live at 7 p.m. and replayed at 7:30, 11 and 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Faught has challenged Mullin to a series of debates, but Mullin's campaign said late last week that its polling shows that the Broken Arrow plumbing company owner has a big lead.

Wright cites endorsements: Senate District 33 Republican runoff candidate Tim Wright said he has received the endorsements of Cliff Johns and Don Little, the two candidates eliminated in the June 26 primary election.

The runoff between Wright and Nathan Dahm will determine the winner of SD 33, which has been moved from midtown Tulsa to Broken Arrow.

Republican Club meeting: Wright and Dahm, as well as fellow runoff candidates Shane Saunders and Ken Walker in House District 70 and Pat Key and Dean Martin for county clerk, will speak at the Tulsa Republican Club meeting at noon Friday at the Summit Club, 15 E. Sixth St.

Insurance exec in London: Gov. Mary Fallin was not the only elected state official in the United Kingdom last week.

Insurance Commissioner John Doak met Fallin for a visit of Lloyd's of London, the renowned insurer and reinsurer market.

Doak said the visit was "much needed" because of "all the natural disasters we have in Oklahoma."

Doak's office said his trip was made possible through funds provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Dems speaker set: Oklahoma Observer Editor Arnold Hamilton will be featured at the Creek County Democratic Party meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Freddie's in Sapulpa.

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