3 races might tip balance in Senate

3 races might tip balance in Senate

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
1/22/2008
Last Modified: 1/22/2008

Half of the seats in the now-tied chamber are up for grabs this fall.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Three races could determine which party controls the state Senate in 2009.

Twenty-four of the Senate's 48 seats will be up for election in the fall. The Senate is now tied, with 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans, and operates under a power-sharing agreement. Of the contested seats, 11 are now held by Democrats; 13 are held by Republicans.

"I feel pretty good about it," Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said of his party's prospects in the upcoming elections. "I don't think it is a Hail Mary pass, and I don't think it is a long field goal. I feel we've got the ball in the end zone and have to execute. If we do everything right, I think we will get there."

Ward Curtin, executive director of the Oklahoma State Senate Democrats, said it is too early to talk about targeted races.

"Last cycle, we had to defend nine open seats," he said. "This year, it is two. That is an opportunity for us to go on the offense rather than play defense."

Political experts say that as much as half a million dollars will be spent on key Senate races this year.

Senate Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, is serving his last year in office because of the state's 12-year term limit law for lawmakers.

Former Oklahoma State University President James Halligan is running as a Republican for the seat. A Democratic candidate has not formally announced.

The district -- District 21 -- has 19,512 Democrats, 19,430 Republicans and 5,705 independents registered.

Sen. Nancy Riley of Sand Springs faces re-election in Senate District 37. After a failed run for lieutenant governor, Riley switched parties, from Republican to Democrat, forcing a tie in the upper chamber for the first-time in history.

The race for District 37 has attracted two Republican candidates -- Jan Megee, an administrative aide for the Tulsa City Council, and Dan Newberry, president of Homeland Federal Mortgage.

The district has 16,929 Democrats, 24,380 Republicans and 5,333 independents registered.

"I think there was a lot of disappointment and frustration that one person (Riley) made the decision for all of us," Coffee said.

But Curtin said Riley isn't someone who can be backed into a corner.

"Republicans learned that when they squeezed a moderate voice out," he said.

Riley said she ran for office because she wanted to represent the average person.

"My party switch will make a difference to Glenn Coffee," Riley said. "But I think voters in my district appreciate a person who is an independent thinker and is willing to stand up for why they came to the Capitol."

Finally, Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, is up for re-election in District 31, which has 22,730 Democrats, 9,475 Republicans and 3,749 independents registered.

Experts on both sides of the political spectrum say presidential elections tend to bring more voters to the polls and result in more votes cast in local elections.

"If Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, I think it will intensify the opposition to go vote against her in Oklahoma," Coffee said. "She won't do well here. That will help our candidates."

Curtin said Democratic Senate candidates will have to make a case locally as to why they are the best for the job.

"The national environment looks great for us," he said. "We are coming off a fantastic year statewide for Democrats. Fundraising is extremely strong."

Gov. Brad Henry, a popular Democrat, also helps Democratic candidates, Curtin said.

Henry has been extremely helpful in fundraising and candidate recruitment, he said.

"Overall," Curtin said, "improving the environment for Democrats in Oklahoma -- he has been extremely influential in doing that."

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com