Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III wanted his own lobbyist. Here’s why he got one

Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III says he needs a lobbyist, so the Board of County Commissioners got him one: Edwards Capitol Partners, in Tulsa.

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party from 1999 to 2001 and former chief of staff for the late former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, is president of Edwards Capitol Partners.

The commissioners didn’t hire Edwards, but approved a professional services contract, which they could do without taking bids from other potential lobbying firms.

And, they’re paying for it — $4,000 per month through May — from a county account of service fees, not the general fund, which comes from property taxes, because that would be illegal.

Those issues among others were hashed out at a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting before the board voted 2-0 to approve the contract. District 2 Commissioner Brian Maughan abstained because he said he and Edwards are close friends.

But why does the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office need its own lobbyist? The Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association, which describes itself as “the united voice and support network for the sheriffs of Oklahoma,” already represents all the state’s 77 sheriffs at the state Legislature.

That includes “legislative advocacy to enhance law enforcement effectiveness across our 77 counties,” the group says online.

Cody Compton, general counsel for the sheriff’s office, asked for the contract on Johnson’s behalf “so we can have some representation to help the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office as it relates to some legislative needs that are kind of unique specific to some of the larger counties.”

District 3 Commissioner Myles Davidson, chairman of the board, wondered if Johnson’s office benefited from lobbying already contracted by the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office or the state association.

“They may have different ideas of what they want,” Compton said, and the state group represents “77 different sheriffs (and) 75 of them have very different needs than the unique needs of Oklahoma County and Tulsa County.”

Edwards could not be reached for comment.

OK County sheriff: Urban county, urban needs require a lobbyist

The sheriff said urban Oklahoma County’s expansion gives his office a need for a steady advocate before lawmakers.

“Oklahoma County is growing and it’s important that legislators are properly educated on issues that directly impact law enforcement in our community,” Johnson said. “We aren’t able to go to the Capitol every day during session, so we have hired a firm to lobby on our behalf.”

The state sheriffs’ association does a good job lobbying, he said, “but the needs of the residents of Oklahoma County are different than the needs of our neighbors in more rural counties.”

For example, the firm will lobby in favor of Senate Bill 523, which would expand Johnson’s ability to bring in deputies from other counties to help with security during the 2028 Summer Olympics. Oklahoma City will play host to softball and canoe slalom events.

In addition, the sheriff said, Edwards will push for Senate Bill 974, which would allow for online auctions for sheriff’s sales.

“This week, we had to cancel our sheriff’s sale because of the weather,” he said. “Opening those auctions to an online audience not only would ensure those sales go on regardless of the weather, it would also increase participation, leading to higher bids.

“For people facing foreclosure, that is an important financial lifeline. It’s important to note, the monthly fee for the service would be paid for through service fees, not taxpayer dollars.”

Johnson tried online auctions in 2023, but stopped after their legality was questioned.

Contract spells out duties of lobbying firm for OK County sheriff

The contract spells out Edwards’ work:

“Consultant agrees to perform, in a competent manner, consulting services in his areas of expertise for Client. Such services will include, but are not limited to, lobbying and government affairs to advance the objectives of Client. Consulting services will be provided in Oklahoma at the state, county and local levels. Consultant agrees to not represent other entities which would create conflicts with Client during the term of this Agreement. Consultant will concentrate on legislation at the Oklahoma state legislatureinvolving issues directly affecting client.”

Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III gets his own lobbying firm

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