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An attack ad tied to one candidate in the Oklahoma attorney general contest has been condemned by the lawyer for the victim of a near-fatal 2023 drunk‑driving crash, who says the spot reopens wounds at a sensitive moment in the campaign. With a primary approaching, the dispute ties together a grand jury probe, refunded donations and competing claims about who — if anyone — influenced an early prison release.
Noble McIntyre, who represents Micaela Borrego and her family, urged local broadcasters to stop running the commercial, calling it a distasteful exploitation of the family’s trauma. The ad, financed by outside groups supporting Attorney General candidate Jeff Starling, links another candidate — state senator Jon Echols — to the early release of the woman convicted in the crash.
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What the ad alleges and why it matters
The commercial suggests connections between Echols and the case involving Sara Polston, who served 73 days after being sentenced to eight years for the 2023 crash that left Borrego hospitalized, in a coma for months and needing ongoing therapy following a stroke. McIntyre says every broadcast forces the family to relive the worst day of their lives.
In response to questions raised by a multi‑county grand jury, Echols refunded a $3,500 contribution from Rod Polston, Sara Polston’s husband, and has publicly denied any role in securing her release. The grand jury report explicitly stated it found no evidence that Echols intervened in the case.
Still, the report criticized Governor Kevin Stitt’s conduct, alleging political favoritism in efforts to expedite Polston’s release, though it did not recommend criminal charges. That finding has become a focal point in messaging from rival campaigns and allied political action committees.
Campaign responses and the independent PAC
The ad was produced by Secure Oklahoma PAC, an independent expenditure group. Starling’s campaign said it did not coordinate in creating the spot but argued the questions it raises deserve public scrutiny. Echols’ campaign countered that the grand jury fingered only Gov. Stitt and noted Stitt has been a major fundraiser for Starling.
McIntyre, who contributed $3,500 to Echols’ campaign last year, contends the legal separation between candidates and super PACs does not absolve political actors of moral responsibility. He demanded Starling condemn the ad and press the PAC to take it down.
- Victim: Micaela Borrego, severely injured in a 2023 crash; months in a coma, suffered a stroke, ongoing rehabilitation.
- Convicted: Sara Polston, sentenced to eight years, served 73 days before early release.
- Donation: Jon Echols returned $3,500 from Rod Polston after the grand jury report surfaced.
- Grand jury: Found no evidence linking Echols to Polston’s case; criticized Governor Stitt for alleged political favoritism but did not allege criminal conduct.
- Ad sponsor: Secure Oklahoma PAC; allies of Jeff Starling deny coordination but support airing the ad’s claims.
The controversy touches on several election‑day concerns: whether campaigns will use personal tragedies as attack lines, how media outlets should vet and weigh emotionally charged spots, and what voters should make of overlapping fundraising, donations and public statements tied to a criminal case.
Tim Edson, a spokesperson for Starling’s campaign, said the campaign did not work with the PAC but emphasized the ad raises legitimate issues, calling the appearance of impropriety “extraordinary.” Chad Alexander, a senior advisor to Echols, pointed to the grand jury’s focus on the governor and urged Stitt to return money he raised for Starling.
McIntyre’s request to broadcasters comes days after the grand jury report was released. Local stations must now balance newsworthiness against the family’s request to stop repeated airings that the attorney says cause renewed harm.
Why this matters now: the next stage of Oklahoma’s election calendar places these allegations front and center as voters weigh candidates’ ethics and judgment. The dispute is likely to shape messaging in the coming weeks and could influence how media outlets and regulators treat third‑party political advertising.
Updated May 23, 2026: This article adds comments from the Starling and Echols campaigns and clarifies the age of the victim at the time of the crash.
