If you got an early morning robocall on Tuesday courtesy of R.J. Harris, a challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Cole for Oklahoma's fourth district, you weren't alone.
Starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, Harris, R-Norman, said robocalls made by automated calling service Robotalker began staggering out to about 3,000 Norman-area residents.
"Obviously, that wasn't supposed to happen," he said. "It was a software malfunction and we apologize to anybody who was called."
Harris, who also apologized on his campaign Web site on Tuesday, said about 20,000 area residents were supposed to have been called at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but that a software malfunction started the calls 12 hours early. He said his campaign alerted Robotalker and stopped the calls before the entire list was contacted.
Thad Balkman, an Oklahoma state representative for six years, was one of the many who were called. He said he was upset because of the time and tracked down Harris' home number.
"I talked to someone, I assume it was his wife, and she was very apologetic about it," Balkman said. "They were still asleep themselves, and when I called his campaign headquarters before that a machine picked up."
The robocalls, he said, asked responders to choose between Cole, R-Norman, and Harris in June 2010's primary for the U.S. congressional seat. If the responder chose Cole, a message from Harris was played, asking for their vote.
Balkman said the mess-up by Robotalker was a big one, one that could have a negative impact on Harris' campaign.
"I would have fired them so fast they wouldn't know what hit them," Balkman said. "It reflects poorly on him (Harris) and it reflects poorly on the campaign to call people that early in the morning."
Jonathan Gibbons, Harris' campaign manager, said the campaign took calls all day Tuesday regarding the 6 a.m. robocalls. He said most of them were "accepting and understanding," although "about five" were negative comments.
Gibbons said he blames Robotalker for the incident.
"They messed up," he said. "That's pretty much it."
Gibbons said the campaign spent most of Tuesday returning e-mails and voicemails, apologizing for the early morning wake-up call. He also said it wasn't clear Tuesday whether the data gathered by the estimated 1,600 received calls would be salvageable.
Harris, a second-year law student at the University of Oklahoma making his first run at public office, said he believes the mistake is minor and can be overcome as his campaign presses forward.
"All campaigns are going to make some small mistakes," Harris said. "Computer glitches happen, it's part of the drawback of living in the automated world."
Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com
Local news
Candidate apologizes for predawn robocalls
- Local news
-
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
-
Women finding independence through direct or home-based sales
Women who sell Avon, Arbonne, Amway and Tupperware say their companies continue to evolve and change to meet the demands of the market. They also say these direct sales approaches can be a fun way to work, combining socializing — through ...
-
New site aids wheel chair-bound diners
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new website — www.WheelingAroundTown.com., dedicated to reviewing Oklahoma restaurants for “wheelchair friendly” accessibility — just launched to provide better dining experience for disabled community....
-
FamilyWize offers prescription discounts
It’s been a tough year for illness and injury at my house. My wife had the flu, my youngest son had mono and my oldest son broke his ankle. We are fortunate that my wife has pretty good insurance through her work. That helps us cover the ...
-
Windfalls sweeping down the plain
A few months ago, when the lottery numbers skyrocketed to an unprecedented jackpot, I visited the automated machine at Homeland with a friend who showed me how to operate the machine and make my picks. Alas, my numbers were not the ones ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
