T.W. Shannon to explore U.S. Senate run

From the Tulsa World:

House Speaker T.W. Shannon inched closer to a decision on whether he will run for the U.S. Senate, with one of his advisers saying Tuesday that the Lawton Republican is forming an exploratory committee to explore the feasibility of such a campaign.

Trebor Worthen, a former state representative who has been a campaign consultant to Shannon as well as 2nd District U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, among others, said Shannon would file the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

More Dominoes: Corp. Comm. Douglas running for Congress

This morning, Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas announced her candidacy for the 5th Congressional District. With Congressman James Lankford running for U.S. Senate, Douglas joins Shane Jett as the first announced candidates to replace Lankford.

Douglas, a former mayor of Edmond, was appointed in 2011 to the Corporation Commission after Jeff Cloud resigned, and was elected without opposition in 2012 to finish the rest of Cloud's six-year term.

This announcement means that another statewide office will be open. So far, Coburn's bombshell has opened up three statewide or federal offices - U.S. Senate, 5th Congressional District, and Corporation Commission.

Common Core last week: Fallin defends, OKGOP condemns

Wednesday, January 15th: 

"In a speech at the National Governors Association [January 15th], Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, chairwoman of the group, gave a strong defense of the Common Core State Standards as a state-led initiative that would provide better long-term prospects for the nation's students." (EdWeek.org)

Saturday, January 18th:

The Oklahoma Republican Party's State Committee passed (by a large margin) a resolution strongly condemning Common Core. (pdf link)

Bridenstine not rushing Senate decision

Congressman Bridenstine's Statement on Senate Race

(Tulsa, OK 1/20/14) Congressman Jim Bridenstine said on Monday he is pleased to know that Dr. Coburn is not resigning strictly on health concerns. Bridenstine said he is honored by the number of people, statewide and nationally, encouraging him to run for the Senate seat, but he is not inclined to rush the decision.

Lankford announces for U.S. Senate

Congressman James Lankford has officially announced that he is running for Tom Coburn's U.S. Senate seat.

5th District Watch List

With James Lankford's near-certain candidacy to fill the rest of Tom Coburn's U.S. Senate term, there will be a crowded Republican primary for the 5th Congressional District. Here is a list of names to watch for in the coming days.

Former state rep. Shane Jett (already announced)
Former state rep. Kevin Calvey
State Rep. Paul Wesselhoft
State Sen. Clark Jolley
State Sen. Greg Treat
Corp. Comm. Patrice Douglas (soon to announce)
State Treasurer Ken Miller
Labor Comm. Mark Costello
Former state sen. Steve Russell

Leave a comment with your suggested additions or removals.

Shane Jett to run for Lankford's seat

Former state representative Shane Jett has announced that he plans to run for the 5th Congressional District seat currently held by Congressman James Lankford, who will most likely announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate today. Jett was one of several candidates Lankford defeated in the 2010 primary for the 5th District.

Who will run to fill Coburn's seat?

Following Dr. Tom Coburn's announcement that he is resigning from the U.S. Senate, the question now becomes who will run to replace him. The answer could be very complicated, and will likely cause a cascade of other offices to open up.

Let's just run through the some of the possibilities.

First of all, Gov. Mary Fallin said Friday that she won't run for Senate. Not really a surprise, as she's focused on her re-election campaign, and may have her eye on something bigger.

Now for other statewide elected officials. State Auditor Gary Jones wouldn't be interested. Neither would State Superintendent Janet Barresi, or Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy. Some have mentioned Corporation Commissioners Patrice Douglas (former mayor of Edmond) and Bob Anthony (came in third in 2004 GOP Senate primary), but I don't see either of them doing it. I also don't think that Treasurer Ken Miller or Insurance Commissioner John Doak would run.

Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb is a sure candidate for the 2018 gubernatorial race, so he's off my list of possibilities. Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, however, is one to watch. Everyone knows that he wants to run for something bigger, but does he go now or does he, too, run for Governor in 2018?

Attorney General Scott Pruitt is probably the most likely to run of the statewide officials. He has just about everything going for him right now. He's been in the forefront of the ObamaCare battle, and fighting other issues (like the EPA). He's a staunch conservative, and is well-liked.

Turning to current members of Congress now.

Rep. Markwayne Mullin won't run; he's barely been in the House for one year, and is the most unlikely of Oklahoma's congressmen to advance to a higher level. Rep. Frank Lucas has his Ag chairmanship, and seems to be content staying in the House. He would probably struggle in building a statewide campaign, as well. Rep. Tom Cole is being mentioned, but as the moderate in Oklahoma's delegation would have a hard time winning the primary. Also, he is probably more interested in becoming chief of the Chickasaw Nation than becoming a Senator.

Rep. James Lankford will probably run. He has made meteoric strides in the House leadership (he's the fifth-highest ranked Republican in leadership), but this is an opening that he may not wish to pass up. I like Lankford. He's very genuine and personable, highly intelligent, and is a great communicator. However, some conservatives are wary of his ties to GOP establishment figures leaders like Speaker Boehner and Tom Cole.

As the former director of Falls Creek, the massive Oklahoma Southern Baptist youth camp, Lankford has the potential for a huge grassroots network across the state - something that no other candidate can probably match.

Rep. Jim Bridenstine is bound to be thinking very hard about this race. From his very first day in Congress, Bridenstine has solidly been among the most conservative Republicans in Washington, developing close associations with Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, as well as other Tea Party favorites in Congress. I like Bridenstine a lot.

However, Bridenstine is not as prolific a fundraiser as many of the other names on this list, and running a statewide campaign as a freshman Congressman will pose a challenge. Additionally, you can count on the DC establishment to work hard to defeat him.

Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon is thought to be considering running as well, although I'm leaning to him staying in the State House. It may still be too soon for him to take on bigger names like Pruitt and Lankford and run a successful statewide campaign.

Other people that might be thinking of running could be J.C. Watts, Kirk Humphreys, Todd Hiett, or Frank Keating. Frankly, I don't think any of those decide to get in.

If I broke it down to chance of running, I guess this would be my list:

75% - Lankford
65% - Pruitt
55% - Bridenstine
35% - Costello
25% - Shannon

The rest would be in the "less than 10%" category.

Oklahoma Shakeup: Dr. Coburn to resign from Senate

Dr. Coburn Announces His Decision to Leave the Senate at the End of the 113th Congress

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) released the following statement announcing his decision to give up his Senate seat at the end of this Congress:

“Serving as Oklahoma’s senator has been, and continues to be, one of the great privileges and blessings of my life. But, after much prayer and consideration, I have decided that I will leave my Senate seat at the end of this Congress.

“Carolyn and I have been touched by the encouragement we’ve received from people across the state regarding my latest battle against cancer. But this decision isn’t about my health, my prognosis or even my hopes and desires. My commitment to the people of Oklahoma has always been that I would serve no more than two terms. Our founders saw public service and politics as a calling rather than a career. That’s how I saw it when I first ran for office in 1994, and that’s how I still see it today. I believe it’s important to live under the laws I helped write, and even those I fought hard to block.

“As a citizen legislator, I am first and foremost a citizen who cares deeply about the kind of country we leave our children and grandchildren. As I have traveled across Oklahoma and our nation these past nine years, I have yet to meet a parent or grandparent who wouldn’t do anything within their power to secure the future for the next generation. That’s why I initially ran for office in 1994 and re-entered politics in 2004. I’m encouraged there are thousands of Americans with real-world experience and good judgment who feel just like I do. As dysfunctional as Washington is these days, change is still possible when ‘We the People’ get engaged, run for office themselves or make their voices heard. After all, how else could a country doctor from Muskogee with no political experience make it to Washington?

“As a citizen, I am now convinced that I can best serve my own children and grandchildren by shifting my focus elsewhere. In the meantime, I look forward to finishing this year strong. I intend to continue our fight for Oklahoma, and will do everything in my power to force the Senate to re-embrace its heritage of debate, deliberation and consensus as we face our many challenges ahead.

“May God bless you, our state and our country."

Brogdon's "Christmas Present": running for Governor

Gov. Mary Fallin has her first primary challenger in the form of 2010 opponent Randy Brogdon. Yesterday, on Christmas Day, Brogdon announced his intention to run for Governor again.

This week, I am filing the necessary paperwork to challenge Mary Fallin for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oklahoma. In the coming months, I will be making my case to Republican primary voters why I believe Constitutional Conservative leadership is needed in the Governor’s office.

Government is too big and too powerful and we all know it. It spends too much, borrows too much, taxes too much, regulates too much and snoops too much. We are in the fight of our lives for liberty, and I feel morally obligated to lead that fight on behalf of Oklahoma families.

My promise as governor is to protect Oklahoma families from the overreach of federal and state government and to restore your God given unalienable rights of life, liberty and property.

Right now, I invite you to join my team by visiting the Join the Campaign page on this website and/or by making a contribution. I need your help.

My immediate objective is to raise much-needed funds and recruit the help I’ll need to communicate with Oklahomans on the issues that are so important to all of us. After meeting our initial objectives, I hope to invite you to join me at an official announcement event some time in late January or early February.

For now, please know the battle for liberty in Oklahoma has started, and with your help, I am committed to leading this fight. I can assure you of this, as your governor, I will not allow Oklahoma to be a mere puppet of the federal government any longer.

This announcement prompted similar reactions from prominent Fallin and Brogdon supporters across the state. Denise Northrup, Fallin's chief-of-staff and campaign manager said on Facebook "Santa knew just what to bring me!". Charlie Meadows, OCPAC Chairman and longtime Brogdon advocate, called it "a huge Christmas present".

Fallin defeated Brogdon in the GOP primary four years ago 55%-39% in a four-way race.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Have a very merry Christmas!

from MuskogeePolitico.com

The first Christmas, from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter Two

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

OK Dems' Sacrificial Lamb: Dorman considering gubernatorial bid

State Rep. Joe Dorman (D-Rush Springs)

Faced with former Republican/Independent/Libertarian RJ Harris as their only announced candidate for Governor, the Oklahoma Democrats appear to have found their loyal sacrificial lamb in the form of State Rep. Joe Dorman.

Dorman launched an exploratory committee yesterday. Although not a final decision, this step allows him to raise funds for a potential challenge, and gives him the opportunity to decide whether to further pursue a campaign. Dorman is term-limited, and thus would not be vacating his seat in the House by running for governor.

As of the last finance report, Governor Fallin had $1.2M in her campaign account.