Hall-Harper Decries Dark Money Attack Ads Days Before Tulsa’s District 1 Runoff

Vanessa Hall-Harper faces a Tulsa runoff on November 3 as unknown groups fund attack ads against her. She asked the groups to name their funders and show proof for their claims before voters decide. Hall-Harper spoke Tuesday at a press conference outside her campaign headquarters. She held up mailers that target her record. She said a local faith leader first told her about the ads.

One mailer blames Hall-Harper for higher utility bills. It links her to a new data center. It claims she voted to raise utility rates. The second mailer praises her opponent. It reads: “Dr. Corinice Wilson is the leader northwest Tulsa needs now.”

Hall-Harper named A Strong Oklahoma as the group behind the campaign. She said the group runs television ads, mailers and a website. The ads attack her and support Wilson. Hall-Harper has held the District 1 seat since 2016. She said she has never faced attacks of this nature.

“Voters deserve to know who is behind this spending, who is funding it and why are they spending money to influence a local grassroots campaign in north Tulsa,” Hall-Harper said. She urged anyone seeking to influence the election to be honest about their identity and interests.

Wilson denied any connection to the attack ads. She told The Eagle she does not know who funds them. The two candidates say they have not talked about the ads.

“I have been clear that I do not support dark money or negative outside attacks in this race,” Wilson’s campaign said in a statement. “I do not believe in tearing someone down to lift myself up.”

State Sen. Regina Goodwin joined Hall-Harper on Tuesday. Goodwin urged voters to question what motivates the attacks. “It is not just, it’s not right and it does not benefit this community,” Goodwin said.

“I’m just hoping that the citizens and the voters in Tulsa realize that this is something that’s unique and that there has to be something behind it,” Hall-Harper said. Both candidates urged voters to check the facts themselves. Wilson said her approach has always been to look for the source and make her own judgment. She encouraged District 1 voters to do the same.

“I am asking the people behind these attacks to tell voters who is funding them and provide factual evidence for their claims,” Hall-Harper said. “And I’m asking the people of District 1 to look at my record, ask questions, check the facts and make your own decision.”

A runoff election follows when no candidate wins outright in the first round. Voters choose between the remaining candidates on the runoff ballot. Early voting lets voters cast ballots before Election Day.

Early voting runs from Oct. 28-31 at four locations across Tulsa County. Election Day is Nov. 3.