Rep. Chris Benge of Tulsa, chairman of the powerful House Budget and Appropriations Committee, confirmed Friday that he will toss his hat in the ring for House speaker before a 5 p.m. deadline Friday.Lawmakers said that Benge was calling fellow legislators Thursday night telling them that he intends to run.
The speaker's race took an unusual turn Thursday night when Speaker Pro Tem Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell, the second-highest elected official in the House, withdrew his name from the speaker's race amid reports that he has been tardy on paying property taxes for 13 years.
Blackwell's decision to quit the race follows an announcement by Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, earlier this week that he was resigning as speaker due to continuing tax problems.
Benge would be viewed by some as a speaker who could work with various factions.He has headed the budget committee for three years, working under two speakers and also with Democratic budget chairmen in the Senate.
Others who have filed for speaker are Reps. John Wright, R-Tulsa. who is Republican caucus chairman; Susan Winchester, R-Chickasha; and Dale DeWitt, R-Braman.
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