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Payback Time in Oklahoma

August 30, 2002

In a huge upset in primary voting August 27, IBEW member Joe Smith beat the longtime state senator who was instrumental in the passage of Oklahomas right-to-work law.

Smith, a member of Local 1141 in Oklahoma City, beat Dave Herbert 53 percent (4,034 votes) to 47 percent (3,616 votes). Herbert was the lead sponsor of the right-to-work initiative last year.

"Its a proud day for Oklahoma labor," said Local 1141 Business Manager Howard "Marty" Crain.

Smith, assistant business manager of Local 1141, is a third generation member of the IBEW. He said he and his wife knocked on 7,000 doors this summer. He emphasized education as his top priority after a legislative maneuver Herbert orchestrated diverted money from education, causing the loss of jobs of 70 public school teachers.

"I just didnt feel the people in my district were being represented well," Smith said, claiming his powerful opponent had lost touch. "I thought it was time for a change."

Local 1141 Business Manager Marty Crain in front of an All Star Electric utility truck, decorated for the Choctaw Old Timers Parade on August 24. On the truck is 1141 member Dennis Rodgers. Joe Smith worked for All Star as an apprentice electrician.

Members of Local 1141 and the wider labor community joined the grassroots campaign, Crain said. Union members participated in precinct walks for four months before the August 27 primary. They also took part in phone banks and stood on street corners holding campaign signs. The effort also included campaign individual donations.

The AFL-CIO paid for media advertising to promote Smiths campaign.

"The Oklahoma labor movement was motivated to exercise its political muscle," said the AFL-CIOs Steve Rosenthal. "We clearly sent a message that if you try to weaken the voice of workers, there will be a price to pay."

Herbert had served in the state senate since 1986. Political registration in the district is relatively evenly split, with 20,000 Democrats, 18,000 Republicans and 5,000 independents. Smith will face a relatively unknown Republican candidate, Cliff Aldridge, in November.

"I think we have a real good chance of winning," said Smith, who is 33 years old.