The CD 5 race took a turn for the negative today as Denise Bode broke a campaign promise not to go negative and began running attack radio spots and sent a negative email to supporters. The attack centers on Cornett's support of a January 26th U.S. Conference of Mayors Resolution on the responsible use of eminent domain. The resolution was circulated during a five-day Mayors conference and signed by 85 mayors urging that local governments maintain some flexibility to use eminent domain to assemble property for affordable housing, hospitals, educational institutions and for other purposes that serve the general public. Reportedly, Cornett was asked to take this position by Oklahoma City Chamber Urban Renewal Committee members Clay Bennett, Fred Hall, Russell Perry and Larry Nichols. Senator Tom Coburn supported Cornett on this. Interestingly, Cornett had testified before congress on the issue of eminent domain. According to an article on the U.S. Conference of Mayors website "[Cornett] told Senator Coburn his first preference would be for Congress not to take any action, and instead allow states to address the issue, since 43 states and many local governments have already taken action or are in the process of responding to the Kelo decision. However, he explained that if Congress decides to act, the resolution urges the adoption of legislative language that will allow local governments to continue to use eminent domain for certain economic development activities." Posted at 7/21/2006 05:00:00 PM