Candidate's Vehicle Stolen While Campaigning

A man running for the state legislature is without a vehicle after his was stolen while he went campaigning in south Oklahoma City.

His opponent is offering a reward for the recovery of the car.

Forrest Bennett said he’s visited that neighborhood several times to talk with voters about his hopes of becoming a state representative for House District 92. Over the weekend, in the middle of the day, he left his car running in front of the first home.

“When I walked up to the door, the lady answered, we talked for maybe a minute and when I turned around to go back to my car, it was gone,” Bennett said.

In broad daylight, the police report says someone took off headed east on SE 22 Street with Bennett's car.

Bennett said he's surprised anyone would want to steal the 1995 white Toyota Avalon. The front bumper was attached with duct tape and the back end is covered in stickers.

His mail key was inside along with a lot of campaign materials, part of the reason why Jess Eddy, Bennett's Democratic opponent for House District 92 said he's offering a $2,000 reward for its recovery.

“A vehicle is a significant asset in a campaign. He needs a car. I don’t want to have an advantage in that manner so I want to help him get his car back,” said Eddy.

Eddy said he hopes to set an example for other politicians with his gesture.

And Bennett said this won't deter him from continuing his work on the south side of the city. If anything, he said it highlights the human cost of the issues he hopes to address if elected.

Bennett said he's asked his opponent to join him in donating to an afterschool teen athletic program led by police.