“If you’re looking at goals, Democrats are not going to take over the Legislature any time soon,” said Democratic strategist Joe Hartman. “But, in the House, ... if you get to 34 (seats), and in two years you can elect a governor, you can uphold the governor’s vetoes (of Republican legislation). ... Right now, Democrats in the Legislature have almost no say in what goes on.”

McFerron said a generic Republican in an average state House district begins with an 18 percentage point advantage. In a presidential election year, he said, that advantage is likely to be larger.

City Councilor Anna America said the consultants may be underestimating voter sentiment, especially in regard to education.

“Everywhere I go, across the city, it’s an issue,” America said. “People care about education.”

America said she is a “known Democrat” who was elected from “the second-most Republican (city council) district” and was re-elected without opposition by focusing on local issues, including education. Elections for city of Tulsa offices are nonpartisan.

Much of the discussion Friday revolved around the presidential campaign and Republican nominee-apparent Donald Trump.