No Pardon for Felon Elected Mayor in Oklahoma

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

PHOENIX — Christopher S. Linder has had many monikers over the years: Big Slim was his gang nickname, 151011 was his inmate number, and he has been mayor-elect since voters in Pawnee, Okla., chose him to lead their small town.

But Mr. Linder cannot take office until he first wipes clean his felony convictions, according to Oklahoma state law, which is what brought him Tuesday before the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency seeking a pardon. The appearance made his bruising campaign for Pawnee mayor, during which his past was laid bare for voters to consider, seem tame.

Board members asked Mr. Linder, 33, to recount the crime he committed in Phoenix while in his early 20s, a botched drug deal and drive-by shooting.

“I live with that every day,” Mr. Linder said. “Every single day that I get up, I live with the decision I made 12 years ago. I know it wasn’t a wise decision. I know it was atrocious.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11mayor.html

[LiberalFighter]

1. He made another mistake.

He didn't attempt to get a pardon before he decided to run for mayor. Although it would not have been likely as it was too soon after he was released.

He only received about 40% of the vote so it wasn't by a majority or overwhelming support.

[quakerboy]

2. Reading a few other articles

It sounds like he was told he would be eligible, but then found out after he was signed up that he was not. And by the time it was discovered, it was too late to withdraw his name from the ballot even if he wanted to.

Apparently the rule is you have to be 15 years from the transgression, and he is only 12 years out.