State Senate race heats up

Jim Halligan, Republican candidate for state senate in district 21, says he supports John McCain for president. But, NEWS 9 obtained a speech Halligan gave saying he would support an Obama presidency.

Sunday, November 2nd 2008, 11:10 pm

By: News 9


By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- With Election Day on Tuesday, one district race is heating up after remarks one of the candidates gave during a recent speaking engagement.

Republican candidate Jim Halligan, who is running for state senator in District 21, says he supports Senator John McCain for president.

But, NEWS 9 obtained a speech Jim Halligan gave saying if the election was held right now, he would support an Obama presidency.

His opponent, Democratic candidate Bob Murphy, said that makes Halligan a liar.

"I cannot believe that he said that. I did not think it was true," Murphy said.

Halligan allegedly said in a speech to a group of students at Langston University, a predominantly black university, that if the election was held today, he'd be voting for Barack Obama.

Not a big deal Murphy said until he heard Halligan tell another group shortly after that he really intends on voting for Senator John McCain.

"He's a typical politician, say anything he can to get elected," Murphy said.

Now, Halligan is attacking Murphy by calling the democratic candidate a liar.

Murphy's campaign gave NEWS 9 a transcript they say Halligan sent out which says "A few hours ago Bob Murphy made the most outlandish of all claims. He twisted and sliced my words and used half truths and claimed that I will be voting for Barack Obama on November 4. Nothing could be further from the truth. On Tuesday, I will be voting for John McCain."

"Is he lying to the public? He's lying to the public when he says he didn't support Barack Obama because that's what he said," Murphy said.

NEWS 9 tried contacting Jim Halligan, and even spoke with his campaign manager who did not want to comment, but still did not hear back from Halligan himself to comment on the story.

Click here to read the full transcript of Halligan's remarks at Langston University.

Click here to read the full email transcript.

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