The Oklahoma State Capital

GUTHRIE, OKLA — State Rep. Molly Jenkins reports receiving a wave of small-dollar contributions from local supporters even as multiple rounds of dark-money attacks from outside political groups bombard local voters.

Jenkins, a first-term Republican representing eastern Logan County and portions of Payne County, is seeking renomination against a challenge from Cushing City Commissioner B.J. Robinson ahead of the June 16 Republican primary. Her campaign says it has raised thousands of dollars in recent weeks through small donations from district residents, a fundraising pattern that contrasts with the larger institutional special-interest contributions that typically dominate legislative races in Oklahoma.

Jenkins believes the small donations from local donors will allow her campaign to respond to the outside attackers. Her campaign has launched a “rapid-response” effort via social media and direct mail, where responses are generated just hours after each assault and sent to voters by mail, and potentially through online and television advertising as well.

Jenkins has been the focus of ads and mail attacks regarding wind-turbine development in central Oklahoma, an issue that has inspired strong opposition from rural landowners across Logan, Payne, and Lincoln counties. Mailers and ads distributed earlier this year by a wind-energy advocacy organization based in Arlington, Virginia, criticized Jenkins for supporting proposals that would allow county commissioners in Payne and Lincoln counties to place limits on the expansion of subsidized wind-turbine projects.

Pictured: A social media post by Molly Jenkins highlights a five dollar donation from a 97-year-old constituent.

The group’s advertising argues such restrictions could interfere with private property rights. Jenkins has framed the issue differently, contending that projects subsidized by federal incentives constitute socialism and distort local land markets, leaving long-term environmental and infrastructure obligations unresolved if projects become financially unviable. She has also introduced legislation aimed at restricting the use of eminent domain by private developers seeking to build transmission lines associated with subsidized generation projects.

A separate line of attack has focused on Jenkins’ vote against legislation addressing sidewalk evangelism in proximity to churches. At least two mail pieces circulated in the district by an organization that did not disclose identifying contact information presented her vote as evidence of opposition to strengthening protections for churches. The messaging drew on national media attention surrounding a recent church-service disturbance incident in Minnesota involving television commentator Don Lemon.

Jenkins has defended her position by pointing to existing Oklahoma statutes that already criminalize disruptions of worship services. She has argued that the proposal as drafted risked extending enforcement authority to situations involving individuals distributing religious literature, such as tracts, on public sidewalks or other easements adjacent to church property.

Jenkins’ vote occurred in 2025, long before the Lemon incident in Minnesota.

The increased dark-money spending in House District 33 reflects a growing trend of such spending in Logan County races. Similar third-party mail campaigns have appeared in neighboring House District 32, where freshman Rep. Jim Shaw — another 2024 incumbent-defeating candidate — is also seeking renomination this cycle.

During the 2022 Republican runoff in House District 31, outside groups financed an unusually high volume of negative mail advertising in the contest between Karmin Grider and Collin Duel, heavily targeting Grider to the benefit of Duel in a race Duel ultimately won by a small margin. Grider has since announced plans to challenge Duel again in 2026, campaigning on a pledge similar to Jenkins’ refusal to accept lobbyist contributions.

Outside spending also played a visible role in several Logan County races in 2024. A group calling itself Sooner Conservatives Action, operating out of a commercial postal box service, backed by unknown financiers, financed an extensive mail campaign that helped elect Floyd Coffman, who didn't send any mass mail of his own, and defeated incumbent Logan County District 2 Commissioner Charlie Meadows. The same election cycle produced one of the state’s most closely watched legislative upsets, when Shaw defeated then-House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace. Sooner Conservatives Action targeted both Shaw and fellow Republican candidate Jason Schilling who finished third in the race.

Against that backdrop, Jenkins has increasingly emphasized grassroots fundraising as both a campaign necessity and a political message. In a February appeal to supporters, she argued that a locally financed victory would demonstrate that candidates can compete and overcome dark-money spending without relying on traditional networks of political funding, such as lobbyist-represented special-interest groups. Jenkins has coupled her fundraising strategy with a heavy door-to-door campaign, a well-attended town hall meeting, and regular legislative updates.

Jenkins recently highlighted one donation on social media — a handwritten note accompanying a five-dollar bill from a 97-year-old constituent — which she described as a “widowers’s mite” contribution and said she intends to frame as a constant reminder of “who she works for.”

The post had earned more than 200 reactions as of the time of this writing.

Jenkins has also contributed personal funds to the campaign, more than matching many of the small-dollar donations and effectively increasing the impact of each contribution.

Candidates will next report the latest fundraising at the end of April at which time the public will have access to the exact amounts raised.

The June primary will determine the Republican nominee for the House District 33 seat. A Democrat has yet to publicly declare for the heavily Republican district.

MORE: Recent Ethics Filing Shows Size and Scale of Logan County State Rep. Jenkins' Record Setting Upset Victory Over Talley's $100,000 Campaign.