Oklahoma Senate election on Nov. 4 could make history

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Oct 23, 2008 by Janice Francis-Smith

The head of the Oklahoma Republican Party says it's going to be tough. The head of the Oklahoma Democratic Party says he honestly doesn't know how it all will turn out.

The Nov. 4 election will determine whether Democrats regain control of the Senate, or if Republicans will make history by claiming a majority in the Senate for the first time. Or, the improbable could happen once more - the election could result in another tie vote.

The 2006 elections created an unprecedented political situation in the state Senate. Prior to the 2006 election, Democrats held the thinnest possible majority, with 25 of the Senate's 48 members. Legislation cannot pass out of the Senate unless at least 25 senators vote yes on a bill.

The numbers in the Senate began to shift in the summer of 2006, when Republican Nancy Riley switched parties, giving the Democrats a two-seat lead over their Republican counterparts. But when voters went to the polls in November 2006, they elected two more Republicans to the Senate, putting both parties on equal footing for the Senate for the first time in state history with a 24-24 split. The makeup of the Senate now prevents any legislation from passing without a bipartisan vote.

The highest-ranking members of the two political parties in the Senate worked out an agreement that gave the parties equal power. Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, was named Senate president pro tempore and Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, was named co- president pro tempore. Committees were assigned co-chairmen, and both parties had equal power to get their bills heard in the Senate Chamber. Democrats have the slight advantage of having Democrat Jari Askins in the role of lieutenant governor, who has the ability to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate.

On Nov. 4, Rep. Jerry Ellis of Valliant seeks to replace outgoing Democrat Jeff Rabon in Senate District 5, but he faces newcomer Patrick Miller, a Republican from Snow. Sen. Richard Lerblance, D- Hartshorne, seeks re-election in SD 7, challenged by McAlester Republican Kenny Sherrill. Diane Drum of Norman seeks to defeat incumbent Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman for SD 15.

Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, seeks re-election in SD 17, but he is challenged by Republican Donald Rominger Jr. of Tecumseh. Democrat Bob Murphy of Stillwater and Republican Jim Halligan of Stillwater are competing for SD 21, a seat left vacant by term- limited Morgan. Democrat Bowdy E. Peach of Mooreland and Republican Bryce Marlatt are competing for SD 27, being vacated by Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward. Democrat Keith Erwin seeks to win SD 31 away from incumbent Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton.

In Tulsa's SD 33, incumbent Democrat Sen. Tom Adelson faces a challenge from Republican Gary A. Casey. SD 37's incumbent Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Tulsa, faces a challenge from Republican Dan Newberry of Tulsa. Incumbent Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, faces a challenge from Democrat David Taylor of Edmond for SD 41. Incumbent Sen. Jim Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, faces a challenge from Democrat David Boren of Moore.

Sen. Judy McIntire, D-Tulsa, faces no Republican challenger for SD 11.

Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones said though it would be tough, he was optimistic Republicans would win a majority.

"It's match play, and we believe we have the best candidates," said Jones.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes said the Democrats have strong candidates, but it's impossible to tell how this election will turn out. Some races are now statistical dead heats.

"I wouldn't be too surprised if we ended up even again with another tie," said Holmes. "If either party takes it, it would be one or two seats at the most."