By Ron Jenkins
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In an era of term limits, the number of candidates filing for mostly legislative posts this week is 100 fewer than expected.
Only 296 candidates made their candidacies official Monday through Wednesday during the filing period for state, federal and legislative seats. All but 28 of the filings were for the 125 House and Senate posts up for grabs.
State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman had predicted about 400 would file, based on filings for a similar election four years ago, the first time term limits were a factor in legislative races.
The filings were the lowest in at least two decades, Clingman said. In 2004, the total was 412 candidates. In similar elections, the totals were 329 in 1988, 332 in 1992, 347 in 1996 and 313 in 2000.
“I’m sure there are many explanations, but the bottom line is over 30 percent of the House and Senate members don’t have opponents,” the election official said. “That is not that unusual historically, but it is a real departure from four years ago.”
Ivan Holmes, state Democratic chairman, said he worked tireless to recruit candidates for legislative offices, but there was resistance from the public in some areas.
“They are unhappy with the fact that they feel there is gridlock,” Holmes said. “A great majority just don’t have a lot of confidence in our Legislature.
“I just don’t think people want to go out there and work hard to get elected, open themselves up to scrutiny and then feel like they won’t accomplish much.”
Gary Jones, state Republican chairman, doubts that apathy is the reason for fewer legislative candidates.
Jones said there were fewer open seats this year due to term limits — seven in the House and five in the Senate — than in 2004, when 28 House seats and 13 Senate posts opened up.
“A large number of people filed for open seats (in 2004). That drives the numbers up,” he said.
Democrats are predicting they will pick up some seats this year in the 101-member House, where Republicans hold a 57-44 majority.
“I think we have a realistic chance of taking back the House,” said Holmes. To accomplish that, Democrats would need a net gain of seven seats.
In the Senate, Republicans are confident they will take over the majority for the first time in history. The Senate is now tied 24-24, the only tied legislative body in the country.
“We don’t claim for one minute that it will be easy, but we feel very good about our chances to be the majority party in the Senate following the November elections,” said Senate Co-President Pre Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
Among the House members choosing to retire is Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, who stepped down as speaker in January after a series of embarrassing revelations, including not filing his state income tax returns. He was replaced as speaker by Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, who has filed for re-election.
Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, is on the list of term-limited senators.
Loading ...
All Articles