NORMAN — Political pundits are saying that football icon Barry Switzer deserves a lot of credit for Jari Askins’ victory over fellow Democrat Drew Edmondson in the July primary election.

But the big unknown is how much Switzer’s support will help in the general election. Switzer told The Transcript that he will continue to work for Askins’ election.

“Sure. I’m in this to win,” he said.

“Jari has been a personal friend of mine for 30 years,” he added.

Switzer and his wife Becky both say Atkins is a true leader.

“Every time I see Jari, she is a magnet to other people,” Switzer said. “She is a master at bringing factions together.”

After defeating Edmondson by less than 1 percent of the vote in the primary, Askins faces Republican Mary Fallin in the November race, when Oklahomans will select their first woman governor. Both candidates had at least $2 million before the primary.

Just days before the primary vote, Switzer launched radio commercials and robo- called voters on behalf of Askins.

“If I hadn’t stepped into the race, Jari might have won by even a bigger margin,” Switzer kidded.

Pollsters who had scored Edmondson a double-digit lead over Askins were dumb-founded when she won. They agree that Switzer’s support coming in the 11th hour was a major reason why Askins prevailed.

Pat Hall, a Democratic political consultant who was an adviser to Edmondson, said Switzer’s actions definitely boosted Askins’ campaign.

“What a great tool to have in your campaign tool box,” Hall said. “Switzer’s support has shown that he is nonpartisan, non-race and non-gender.”

Switzer supported Republican J.C. Watts in his successful race for the corporation commission in 1990.

“Watts was the first African American to win a statewide race in Oklahoma,” Hall said. 

This election cycle, Switzer and his wife gave Askins $5,000 as an in-kind contribution. The Switzers hosted “at least 200 people” at a fundraiser in their Norman home late last year, said Sid Hudson, Askins’ campaign manager.

Five thousand is all that a supporter can give a candidate.

Barry Switzer is a registered Democrat, while Becky is a registered Republican.

In this election cycle, Switzer also contributed to two Republicans seeking office.  He gave $5,000 to Jonathon Nichols in his race for district judge in Cleveland, McClain and Grady counties. Nichols has served two years of his four-year term as a Republican state senator.

Switzer gave $5,000 to Republican Ken Miller, who is running for the post of state treasurer.

Pat McFerron, who has done polling for many Republicans, said, “What Switzer did by coming out for Jari jump-started her momentum tremendously.”

“You would always rather have Barry for you than against you.” McFerron said.

“I don’t think Switzer will be as influential in the general election,” he said, because Oklahoma Democrats tend to vote Republican.

Alex Weintz, spokesman for Mary Fallin, said, “Honestly I think the reason that Askins was able to gain ground so late in the primary was that her opponent (Edmondson) took his foot off the gas.

“But Mary will never do that,” he said. “She will be in there working right to the end.”

Going into the primary, Edmondson’s supporters were confident that he was 16 points ahead of Askins.

Askins squeaked by Edmondson with only 1,492 more votes. All together, 132,591 Democrats voted for Askins and 131,007 voted for Edmondson. Statewide, there are still more Democrats than Republicans, although Oklahoma voters have supported Republican presidential candidates in every election since Lyndon B. Johnson was on the ballot.

Edmondson thought he would receive major support from Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma voters. Although he won in those regions, there was low voter turnout.

Edmondson also thought he would score big because, in 2005, as attorney general, he filed suit against several poultry companies. The lawsuit, which is still pending, accuses the companies of creating runoff into the Illinois River Watershed, as a result of their waste dumping practices.

But that stance by Edmondson backfired in the primary race for the Democratic nomination.

The day of the primary, Askins reported receiving more than $20,000 from Arkansas poultry company officials.

 Askins, who is from Duncan, also scored big in Stephens County, getting 3,882 votes, compared to only 861 for Edmondson.

“We almost made up the vote lost in Tulsa by Askins’ strong finish in Stephens and Comanche counties,” Hudson said.

Askins also worked hard in those final days before the vote to win endorsements from 38 black ministers, many in Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, Hudson commented that Switzer publicly endorsing Askins right before the election was a strategic move planned by the Askins team.

Many voters get interested in these races about two weeks before an election, Hudson said. That is why Askins stepped up her campaign shortly before the primary.

“Switzer has done everything we’ve asked,” Hudson said.  “It’s like a coach putting in a player when they are really needed. Switzer did just that.”

“I always told Jari to use me when she needed to put me in the game,” Switzer said. Askins asked Switzer for his help right before the primary, Switzer said.

Askins and her parents have known Switzer for a long time, Hudson said.

Switzer’s wife Becky is on the state tourism commission, which Askins chairs as  lieutenant governor. 

“In my business, personal contact alters opinions,” Hall said.

Becky Switzer also served on the tourism board when Fallin was lieutenant governor.

“I am amazed by Askins’ ability to bring people together on opposite sides of an issue,” Becky Switzer said.

“We need someone who can work with both sides,” she said. “Jari doesn’t need anybody telling her what to do. She always keeps her cool.”

Askins is a former judge and lawmaker. Fallin has served in the state House and is now a congresswoman representing Oklahoma in Washington.   

Weintz said the Fallin camp also is proud of its endorsements, which include Sarah Palin, leader in the Tea Party movement. Palin was the youngest and first woman to be elected governor in Alaska.

“Mary’s strong points include her repeated efforts the past four years to stand up to the damaging policies that come up in Washington,” Weintz said.

Fallin met Palin several years ago when Fallin was in Alaska to discuss an energy issue with leaders.

Democrat-leaning pundits said they think Palin’s endorsement of Fallin pales in comparison to Switzer’s support for Askins. They hope the Palin endorsement will backfire in Fallin’s race.

Hall said Switzer, who is popular across the state, is involved in many different causes, including Oklahoma Special Olympics.

“He is always working for some charity,” Hall said.

Switzer was head coach when the OU Sooners won football national championships in 1974, 1975 and 1985. He returned to coaching in 1994 when he became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.  His Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1996. He continued coaching until 1997.

Keith Gaddie, a political science professor at OU, said he believes Fallin has a bigger advantage going into the general election because many Oklahoma Democrats vote like they are Republicans.

An independent, Gaddie said, “Switzer’s recognition throughout the state could sway the election, especially if it is close.’’

“Don’t forget what happened in 2002, when Brad Henry was first elected governor,” Hall said.

Political analysts credit Switzer with getting Henry elected governor in 2002.  Switzer campaigned with Henry throughout the state.

Analysts said that Switzer’s support of Henry probably put him over the top in his gubernatorial race against Republican Steve Largent.

Hall noted that he thinks Democrats and all voters appreciated the nominees’ actions in the primary, when neither Askins nor Edmondson took swipes at each other.