— Time ticked down toward today’s primary runoff elections with Democratic candidates in the House District 14 contest defending and fending off comments on a campaign mailer.

Material promoting Bobby Jefferson’s campaign began arriving in mailboxes Friday. The flier touts Jefferson’s teaching credentials and his support for education.

What caught the eyes of critics was the campaign’s claim that “Jefferson is the only ... Democratic candidate currently paying property taxes in Muskogee County.” The Muskogee County Assessor’s Office was identified as the source of the information.

Jerry Rains, who is competing against the longtime Muskogee High School wrestling coach and the district’s athletic director for the post, played down the development. Rains, however, said he has paid more than $6,000 during the past few years in property taxes in Muskogee County.

A deed filed in 1997 shows that Rains possesses an ownership interest in property as a joint tenant along with his mother, who reserved the right to live in the residence for as long as she lives.

A joint tenant is one of two or more people who possess an equal right to share in the use and enjoyment of property during their respective lives.

Jefferson said the information his campaign used for the mailer was obtained after two requests for information from the county assessor’s office. Results of an online search for land records also produced nothing indicating that Rains owns property in Muskogee County.

“We went up there twice and asked the questions — that’s the information we were given,” Jefferson said. “We definitely weren’t trying to do anything that is not right — I wasn’t trying to mislead the voters.”

Muskogee County Assessor Dan Ashwood said the confusion may stem from the ownership interest that Rains’ mother has in the property.

Ashwood said records kept by his office for tax purposes would remain unchanged until the death of Rains’ mother, who claims a double homestead exemption as a result of her age. The double exemption reduces the assessment on the property.

Rains said he has heard little from voters about Jefferson’s mailer, which he described as “politics — part of the deal and what goes on.”

“I wouldn’t have any idea of what they are trying to do,” said Rains, a former business owner who now manages a Cherokee County ranch. “I just know that I’ve paid my taxes.”

The House District 14 primary runoff election is one of three contests before Muskogee County Democrats today. The Democratic nominee will face Fort Gibson businessman Arthur Hulbert Nov. 6 in the general election.

District 2 Commissioner Stephen Wright and Ronnie Pevehouse play for all the marbles today because no Republicans filed for the post. Pevehouse served one term as District 2 commissioner before he was ousted by Wright in 2008.

Muskogee Democrats and Republicans will select the nominees for their respective parties in the 2nd Congressional District contest. Muskogee businessman Wayne Herriman and former state and federal prosecutor Rob Wallace will square off in the Democratic race.

State Rep. George Faught of Muskogee and Westville businessman Markwayne Mullin will go head-to-head in the Republican runoff. The major party nominees will face Michael G. Fulks, an independent from Heavener, in the general election.

Wagoner County Republicans will go to the polls to elect a court clerk. Incumbent Rhonda Vincent faces Jim Hight in an election that will determine the winner of the race.

Midway school officials are seeking voter approval of a $585,000 bond issue to build five high school classrooms and offices.

Precinct polling is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.