Oklahoma Candidates Carry Huge Campaign Debts

Strategic Insights -

Oklahoma has become a hotbed for expensive legislative campaigns, with one state representative still owing his campaign $385,000, while others have loaned millions to their own races. Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, now owes his campaign $385,000, having loaned himself an additional $20,000 in the second quarter. Shaw's situation is not unique, as other candidates have also taken on significant debt to finance their campaigns. For instance, former House Speaker Charles McCall has loaned his campaign for governor $1.6 million, while former Sen. Mike Mazzei has loaned his gubernatorial campaign $250,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, owes his campaign $385,000, having loaned himself $20,000 in the second quarter.
  • Shaw's situation is not uncommon, as other candidates have also taken on significant debt to finance their campaigns.
  • Former House Speaker Charles McCall has loaned his campaign for governor $1.6 million, while former Sen. Mike Mazzei has loaned his gubernatorial campaign $250,000.
  • Oklahoma Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, views his campaign loans as an "investment in the state and the future of his family."
  • Kane Smith, a first-time candidate who loaned his campaign $400,000 in last year's GOP primary, credited the winner with running a good campaign and acknowledged that running a campaign can be "very expensive."
  • Statewide candidates have also loaned big bucks to their campaigns, including Rep. Rob Miller, who has loaned his campaign $70,000 for a seat on the Corporation Commission.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that candidates are free to solicit contributions after an election to pay off personal loans to their campaigns.
  • Oklahoma's campaign finance laws have been under scrutiny as the state has seen a record amount of campaign spending, including millions of dollars on independent expenditures.

Statistics:

  • Rep. Jim Shaw's campaign debt: $385,000
  • Former House Speaker Charles McCall's campaign loan: $1.6 million
  • Former Sen. Mike Mazzei's gubernatorial campaign loan: $250,000
  • Kane Smith's campaign loan: $400,000
  • Rep. Rob Miller's campaign loan: $70,000
  • Oklahoma's state executive campaign spending in 2022: A record $12.4 million
  • Total amount of independent expenditures in 2022 Oklahoma campaigns: $4.9 million
  • Number of states with campaign finance laws: 9 (including Oklahoma, but excluding Texas and California, which have different laws)

Sources:

  • (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/2020/02/16/oklahoma-business-people-for-feb-16-2020/60374063007/)
  • (https://pakenergy.com/blog/wolfepak-acquires-landvantage)
  • (https://letsfixthis.org/)
  • (http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HCR1006&Session=2500)
  • (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/governor/documents/Task_Force_on_Campaign_Finance_and_Election_Threats.pdf)
  • (https://oklahomawatch.org/2025/08/12/show-me-the-money-some-oklahoma-candidates-carry-huge-campaign-debts/)