You know, it’s ironic that Rep. Mulready refers to me as “Negative Gantz.”
All we have done is exposed his votes on Obamacare. (See how Rep. Mulready voted by clicking here)
So what does Rep. Mulready do when confronted on his vote for Obamacare? He resorts to personal attacks, half-truths, and outright lies.
So I thought I would answer his personal attacks one by one and let you decide if my personal activities merit Rep. Mulready’s personal attacks.
Personal Attack #1 – “Darren Gantz filed for Bankruptcy.”
In addition to my insurance business, I owned and operated a furniture rental company. We were very successful… so much as to get recognition from the Small Business Administration as a business on the rise.
Then the worst recession since the Great Depression happened.
Like many businesses in Tulsa, ours was hit very hard. While I was able to weather the first 2 years of the economic crisis, I finally had to make the decision to file for bankruptcy. It is not a decision that I made lightly. But it was a decision that I had to make that was best for my family.
All of us know someone who has lost their job or business during this horrible economic downturn. Even my own State Senator, Dan Newberry, lost his mortgage business and has to file bankruptcy as well. And lest we forget, the man on our penny, Abe Lincoln, had to file for bankruptcy when his business failed as well.
This is why I feel so strongly that we need a State Representative who will fight for ALL businesses and work to lower their tax burden so that they can succeed through the good times AND the bad.
Personal Attack #2 – “Darren is a Perennial Candidate Politician.”
First, I have no idea what a perennial candidate politician is. I guess they mean I have run for office before. As in more than 8 years ago… Which I did. I ran against the current leader of the State Senate, President Pro-Tem Brian Bingman in 2004 and one other race before that. It was a tough fight, but I didn’t win.
I’m also accused of moving in the district to run for this seat. The only problem was that I moved in 2005, to move into a bigger house to accommodate our growing family and be closer to my work.
So if you are to believe Glen Mulready, that means in 2005, I knew that he was going to run for office 5 years later and then I planned to run against him 2 years after that. And if you believe that story, I’ve got some swampland in Florida to sell to you!
Personal Attack #3 – “Darren was a Campaign Manager on Several Losing Campaigns.”
Wow. I didn’t know this was even an issue. Well to Glen it is (Which is maybe why he needs to go!).
OK, so I’ve never been paid to run anyone’s campaign, but I have volunteered to help many Republicans run for office. Some have won, some have not. (I’m still scratching my head as how this is a bad thing.)
I guess Glen thinks that you should only work for campaigns that you KNOW will win and don’t take a chance on anyone who might be a longshot, even if you believe in what they stand for.
I’m thinking then that Glen Mulready would have chided anyone who helped Abe Lincoln run for office, considering he lost, 3 times, before becoming President.
Personal Attack #4 – “Darren Supported Democrats after Primary Loss.”
This is a blatant lie. I didn’t endorse any Democrat. What happened was the Democrat candidate printed a quote with my name on a mailer, without my consent. I didn’t make a big deal of it considering he had no chance of winning and the Republican won the race.
What I can say is that I have been a lifelong Republican and a conservative one at that. I was State Executive Director of the Oklahoma College Republicans, am currently a precinct chair in Tulsa County, and I serve on the Exectutive Committee of the Tulsa County GOP. I also served as a volunteer coordinator for one of the most conservative candidates to run for Governor, Randy Brogdon.
So there you have it. If you still have any questions about this, please feel free to call me at 918-638-7430 to discuss your concerns. I have been and will always be willing to be open and honest with the people of District 68.
Sincerely,
Darren Gantz
