Sullivan And Oliver Ads Put To Truth Test

By Dan Bewley, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Only 19 more days and we vote in the federal election. The News On 6 is staying on top of the local campaigns, as political ads hit the airwaves fast and furious.

Congressman John Sullivan has been in office since 2002. Georgianna Oliver is a small business owner.

The News On 6 Truth Test looks at their latest political ads.

It's two different ads urging voters to take a close look at their rivals.

First, from challenger Georgianna Oliver on Congressman Sullivan's legal past.

"Sues taxpayers when he has a car wreck at the U.S. Capital," said the Oliver ad.

That's true. Congressman Sullivan sued the United States after he was injured in a car wreck while on the job in Washington D.C. Sullivan claimed the government's compensation for federal employees injured on the job was not enough, the lawsuit was eventually dismissed.

"Claims he's never been arrested when he has, four times," said the Oliver ad.

That's true to a certain extent. Congressman Sullivan has downplayed this part of his life saying it's old history, but he did have four different run-ins with the law between the ages of 17 and 27.

As for the congressman's ad.

"You can't buy love Georgianna and you can't just move to Tulsa and buy our congressional seat," said the Sullivan ad.

Sullivan claims Georgianna Oliver is moving to Tulsa solely to run for office. That's not entirely true. Oliver has indeed lived around the country, but she's a graduate of Sapulpa High School and has maintained a business in downtown Tulsa for the past three years.

Sullivan also tries to connect Oliver with the democrat's presidential candidate.

"Shares a campaign headquarters with Barack Obama," said the Sullivan ad.

True, but misleading.

Oliver and Tulsans for Obama work out of the same building on Cherry Street, but her campaign says they do not share offices and there is no other connection between the two.