The Norman Transcript

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November 8, 2006

Incumbents win county treasurer, assessor races

By Tom Blakey and Tony Pennington

By Tom Blakey and Tony Pennington

Transcript Staff Writers

Democrat incumbent Saundra DeSelms will begin her third term as Cleveland County treasurer, after defeating Republican challenger Ted Ryals, 33,767 to 26,923, or 55.64 to 44.36 percent.

DeSelms’ watch party was at an employee’s home in Norman, surrounded by friends, family and staff members.

“There’s about 35 people here,” she said. “All my staff is here. They’re so supportive. Everyone’s having a good time.”

DeSelms thanked Cleveland County supporters “for having faith in me and deciding to put me back in office. I really want to thank my office staff and my family for all their support.”

Unlike the terms of other county offices, DeSelms’ term will start at the beginning of the fiscal year.

“I still have almost half a year of this term remaining. The judge won’t swear me into office until July 1,” she said.

In the meantime, DeSelms said the county treasurer’s office will “be back to business as usual, with the same friendly and professional staff.”

Contacted at his Moore home, Ryals said it was “a very painful experience not to win.”

“This time I felt I was qualified, and the voters decided differently,” he said. “Anyway, I’m not even really all that angry. I’m concerned.”

Ryals said he’s concerned about an upcoming multi-million dollar bond election, and DeSelms’ ability to examine the documents. “I hope the checks and balances work,” he said.

Ryals said he called DeSelms to congratulate her.

“I told her congratulations and told her to try and do a good job, and she said ‘I am doing a good job.’

“I’m glad she feels she’s doing a good job,” he said.

Heavner defeats Helm for assessor

Democratic incumbent Cleveland County Assessor Denise Heavner, 59, defeated Republican challenger Jim Helm, 58, 32,348 to 28,419 or 53.23 percent to 46.77 percent. Heavner said she was excited and felt great about returning for a fourth term.

“I’ve got to recognize the people who helped me in the campaign,” she said. “I’ve had great support. I also want to thank the voters for having me back for another four years.”

Heavner’s victory was applauded by Helm. He said he enjoyed the political process and admired how Heavner carried herself.

“I have no regrets,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for (Denise). We both wanted to run a race where we didn’t have to offer an apology at the end. I think that happened.”

Heavner also expressed her gratitude for a clean race.

“I have never run a dirty race, and I never will,” she said. “We got along just fine. We were really very civil to each other.”

With the election season out of the way, Heavner said her new term — set to begin in January — will concern the further education of county taxpayers.

“I will focus on the continuing struggle to help residents understand the property tax issue,” she said.

For Helm, it might be his last run at political office.

“I will always be a voter, and I will always work in somebody’s campaign,” he said. “I don’t have any plans after that.”

Even though he didn’t win, Helm said the election didn’t leave him empty-handed.

“On the one hand I could have been the county assessor, but on the other hand, I’m the best known Realtor in Cleveland County.”

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