Tom Gann to Trump: Consider impact of aluminum smelter on Inola

Inola and Oklahoma are blessed to have District 8 State Representative Tom Gann back for his sixth and final two-year term before term limits. Gann is one of the handful of legislators who refuses all gifts and meals from lobbyists and all contributions from PACs. As you'll see from the letter below, he's intelligent, well-spoken, thoughtful, and respectful, not a grandstander. All this explains why the House leadership has done its best to freeze him out, and the lobbyists really wanted him gone. Gann won the Republican primary over challenger Todd Rice by a 54% to 46% vote. No candidates filed as independents, Democrats, or Libertarians, so Gann has been re-elected. Gann raised $23,388.95 (nothing from PACs, all from individual contributors) and lent his campaign $5,000. His opponent, Todd Rice, raised $36,674.31 ($500 from United Community Banker PAC, $600 in-kind), and lent his campaign $3,500. But that's not the whole story. Gann was targeted by $20,000 from American Energy Action (which was involved in many races statewide); $2,912.10 from Oklahoma Conservative Coalition (based in Lawton and spending money with Managed Strategic Services, 529 Telephone Park, Lawton, OK, 73507, which happens to be the address of Hilliary Communications); and $146,500 from the Oklahoma State Medical Association (one eight State House races targeted with a buy, along with the Insurance Commissioner race, spent with Civil Poltix, 3000 W Memorial, Oklahoma City, OK, 73120). Gann has written a respectful open letter to President Donald Trump, expressing his concerns about the impact of the proposed aluminum smelter and related development on the character and environmental conditions of his rural, agricultural district and about the degree of foreign ownership in the facility.

President Donald J. Trump, I write to you as a strong supporter of your America First agenda and as a State Representative from Oklahoma who endorsed you in November 2023. I fully support your effort to strengthen America's national security, rebuild domestic manufacturing, and ensure that our military has reliable access to military-grade aluminum. That mission is vital. My concern is not with the goal, but with the chosen location and ownership structure of the proposed aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma. Inola is a rural community built around farms, families, cattle operations, churches, schools, and a way of life that has existed for generations. The people here are not opposed to American industry or national strength. They are deeply concerned about being asked to absorb a massive industrial project that appears incompatible with their land, water, air, agriculture, and community character. The scale of this smelter would permanently alter the identity of the area and impose significant risks on local citizens whose homes, livelihoods, and rural way of life deserve careful protection. I am concerned that the full local impact of the proposed site may not yet be fully understood. I am also concerned by reports that the project could allow majority ownership by foreign interests tied to the United Arab Emirates. If the purpose is American national security, then control of such a strategic industry should remain firmly in American hands. We should not trade dependency on one foreign supply chain for dependence on another foreign-controlled entity operating on Oklahoma soil. Mr. President, I support your effort to restore American strength. But Inola is the wrong fit for this smelter. I respectfully ask that you pause this project for a thorough review of the site selection, ownership structure, and impact on local citizens, including whether a more appropriate location can serve the national security mission without placing an unfair burden on this rural community. America First must also mean Oklahoma families first. Tom Gann State Representative House District 8 Inola, Oklahoma

MORE: Here is the statement gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei issued regarding the smelter on June 8, 2026:
- June 21, 2026 at 12:37AM
Tom Gann to Trump: Consider impact of aluminum smelter on Inola
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