Sullivan, Bridenstine trade shots over TASM track record

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum has officially weighed in on the facts regarding the tenure of Jim Bridenstine, its former Executive Director and now a congressional candidate.

After statements made by Rep. John Sullivan, the 1st District incumbent, called Bridenstine's work at the museum into question during a recent debate, the museum staff was moved to clarify the situation.

Bridenstine accuses Sullivan of conducting a "whisper campaign" which alleges Bridenstine was fired from the museum, and that attendance had decreased during his time there.

He tells KRMG Sullivan is "intentionally being false with his statements, because he will say and do anything to get re-elected."

Rep. Sullivan did contact KRMG to call the notion that he was conducting a whisper campaign "silly," and the circumstances of how Bridenstine left TASM "are not an issue here."

He then provided KRMG with a copy of an IRS Form 990 apparently filed by TASM in 2010, with highlighted lines showing a lost totalling some $704,000 total over the years 2009-2010.

Bridenstine tells KRMG the figure is taken completely out of context; he says the net loss is largely depreciation, not a cash loss.

He also maintains that his tenure saw a 20 percent increase in cash revenues, and points out that he only served for half of 2010 so many of the number on that form have nothing to do with his time as Executive Director.

HERE is a link to the IRS 990 form provided by the Sullivan campaign.

Here is the statement we received from TASM:

TULSA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum is neither for nor against any candidate in any election. Certain statements have been made by others outside of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum wishes to clarify certain facts: Jim Bridenstine was employed at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum as its Executive Director from December 2008 through August 20, 2010. While at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, Jim Bridenstine developed the QuikTrip Air and Rocket Racing Show and the Land the Shuttle Campaign, both of which garnered tremendous visibility for the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. While Mr. Bridenstine was executive director attendance increased at the museum. In August 2010 Mr. Bridenstine voluntarily resigned from his position as Executive Director at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum in order to follow his orders in the Navy Reserves. Mr. Bridenstine was not terminated from the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.

- Barbara Smallwood