The Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmaker seeks protection from voters
During the recent debate on workers’ compensation system
overhaul, Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City, filed an amendment
declaring, “No lobbyist … shall threaten a legislator in any
manner whatsoever that they will seek to find a primary or
general election opponent to run against the legislator for
acting or failing to act in their official capacity as a
legislator.”  Apparently, someone had the temerity to suggest
the comp issue was important enough that the bill’s supporters
might recruit and fund candidates to run against lawmakers who
opposed reform. In other words: People might engage in the
democratic election process. The horror!  Some may see this
“threat” as comparable to the actions that led to Al Gerhart’s
indictment for felony blackmail, but the two cases aren’t
comparable. Gerhart not only demanded action on a particular
bill, but also vowed to “dig” into Sen. Cliff Branan’s family
and associates if the bill wasn’t heard. Gerhart followe