Court clerk switches party

By John Sutter
The Oklahoman

Oklahoma County Court Clerk Patricia Presley switched her political affiliation from Republican to Democrat on Wednesday.
“I just personally believe that the Democratic Party is more of an inclusive party than the Republican Party,” Presley said.

“I am inclusive of all people — and I do mean all people — no matter what their race is, no matter what their religion is, no matter what their political affiliation is,” said Presley, who cited her work in women’s groups.

Presley, who was elected on a Republican ticket, said her decision does not affect her job. She said she has not received a donation from the Republican Party in many years.

Her decision has nothing to do with President Bush’s politics or current White House scandals, she said.

Presley said the county should consider electing its officials on nonpartisan tickets in the future.

Political registration “doesn’t affect my job in the least,” she said. “We don’t make policy for the county. It has no political implication on my office at all.”

Oklahoma City officials are elected without political affiliation, although during the recent mayor’s race, the Oklahoma Republican Party campaigned on behalf of the election winner, Mayor Mick Cornett

This absolutely stuns me. Considering the dominance of the GOP in Oklahoma County, why would an elected –ELECTED! — official switch parties? She must have been powerfully motivated by SOMETHING. I don’t have a clue, personally, but you can bet there’s a much bigger story behind this.