Clark Throws His Support Behind Chris Medlock

By Jennifer Loren, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Two Republican candidates have joined forces to create one conservative choice for Tulsans. Clay Clark withdrew his candidacy Friday and is now throwing his support behind another candidate: Chris Medlock.

Clay Clark is a techno-savvy candidate whose campaign included spots on YouTube. Now he is throwing his support behind Republican candidate Chris Medlock who he says shares his political beliefs.

"As we started discussing the campaign and the likelihood of a true conservative candidacy, we realized that if the two of us were to work together it would prevent us from dividing the vote," said Clay Clark.

Related Story 7/10/2009: Tulsa Mayoral Candidate To Join Medlock Campaign

Clark will now work as Medlock's press secretary. They hope their shared values will make them the choice for conservative Republicans.

One of their shared beliefs is that too much money is being spent on downtown Tulsa. They say the city should focus taxpayer money on more popular places that are already established - like the 71st Street corridor."

"This is the lifeblood of the City of Tulsa, not downtown," said mayoral candidate Chris Medlock.

"A lot of people don't like this stretch; they find it far too suburban. But the city of Tulsa runs on sales tax dollars, that's the way the state allows us to do it. We're pouring sales tax dollars into trying to rebuild downtown and ignoring this area that is critical to our success."

Medlock says his campaign is based on Tulsa's needs, not its wants. And he does not believe his reputation as an outspoken former city councilor will color his campaign one way or the other.

"You know politics is one of these things where if only 40% of the public hates your guts you're wildly popular. So, you know, you have to be wired a certain way," Medlock said.

Medlock will run against fellow republican Dewey Bartlett and democrats Tom Adelson and Paul Tay. The deadline to file is July 15th.