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OK-Election primer: Political aspirations leave additional open seats
12/14/2009 by Bryan Smith
(OK) As the election season slowly approaches, a number of federal and state legislative seats have opened up as political aspirations drive some people to seek other offices.To date there are five state House and Senate members that will be running for election on an unfamiliar portion of the ballot, leaving seats open in districts, 18, 34, 35, 81 and 100. A run for governor by U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, will also leave room in the state's congressional delegation.
The tunes began playing for the political musical chairs the moment Gov. Brad Henry won re-election in 2006, as term limits demand that he vacate the office at the start of 2011. Opportunity seekers did not take long to explore options and express interest, as Fallin made the announcement that she would seek Henry's post.
The governor's race also includes democratic candidates Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson, as well as Republican candidates Robert Hubbard and Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso. No others have made announcements or filed campaign finance paperwork.
U.S. House District 5
Fallin's decision to run for governor left a high-paying, non-term limited, congressional seat up for grabs.
Thus far, six Republicans and no Democrats have announced for the seat. The candidates include: former congressional district 5 primary candidate and state Rep. Kevin Calvey; Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud; Ricky Flanigan; James Lankford; former congressional district 5 primary candidate Johnny Roy; and Rep. Mike Thompson, of Oklahoma City, who is leaving an open seat in the state House of Representatives.
State House District 100
Thompson would not have reached his term limit until 2016. But, the congressional vacancy proved attractive enough to draw him away.
So far, only Republican David Looby has announced for the seat.
State Senate District 34
Brogdon's decision to contest for the governorship leaves the seat open. He would not have reached his term limit until 2014 and was up for re-election this year.
So far, two Republican candidates, Rick Brinkley and Timothy Coager, have announced plans to take Brogdon's place.
State House District 81
The state House of Representatives will be losing its appropriations chairman as Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, announced plans to vacate his seat and run for state treasurer.
Miller, who would not have reached his term limit until 2016, said that he will draw on his experience as appropriations chairman and his background in economics to be a successful treasurer.
"As House budget chairman, I've had the privilege of working closely with the treasurer and have a sound understanding of the office," he said in a news release. "After a great deal of discussion with state leaders, I have determined that my background in economics, finance and budgeting have provided me the preparation needed to successfully serve as state treasurer. In the coming months, our steering committee will be organizing a statewide effort."
Incumbent State Treasurer Scott Meacham has opted to return to the private sector.
So far, only Republican candidate Randy Grau has announced plans to seek Miller's seat.
State House District 18
Rep. Terry Harrison, D-McAlester, is one of a pair of state representatives that have decided to run for district attorney. In an announcement on Nov. 23, Harrison said that he would seek election as district attorney for district 18, which covers Pittsburg and Haskell counties. The seat is being vacated by incumbent Jim Miller, who is prohibited from running for re-election as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the attorney general's office.
Harrison would have reached his term limit in 2014 and had been uncontested in the previous two elections.
Harrison told his local newspaper that he had grown tired of party politics.
"The last legislative sessions have been brutal - having the Republican agenda pushed down our throat," he told the newspaper.
Interest in the open seat has been non-existent. So far, not a single candidate has announced plans to take his place.
State House District 35
Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, also announced plans to run for district attorney next year in district 10, which includes Osage and Pawnee counties.
In an interview, Duncan said that he was running to replace incumbent District Attorney Larry Stuart.
Duncan would have reached his term limit in 2016. No one has announced a campaign to take his place.
House District 76
Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, announced during the 2009 legislative session that he would be running to replace Lt. Gov. Jari Askins. He is also term limited in his House seat.
Senate District 4
Likewise, Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Howe, is term limited and is running for the lieutenant governor's seat.
Term limited seats
Other vacant seats resulting from term limits include:
• HD 9, Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore;
• HD 44, Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman;
• HD 68, Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa;
• SD 10, Sen. Joe Sweeden, D-Pawhuska;
• SD 14, Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore;
• SD 18, Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa;
• SD 22, Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher;
• SD 30, Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
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