Oklahoma House GOP to pick leadership team

After helping to increase his party's political control of the state House to the largest margin ever, Republican House Speaker Chris Benge is expected to remain in the post when House Republicans gather at the state Capitol Friday to select a leadership team for the next two years.

Benge, of Tulsa, was chairman of the powerful House Appropriations and Budget Committee when he was elected speaker in January after Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, resigned from the post following revelations that he submitted late property tax payments and did not file state personal income tax returns. Cargill did not seek re-election.

Since becoming speaker, Benge has won praise from GOP House members for his methodical governing style and assistance during this fall's round of elections in which he helped raise campaign funds and even made phone calls and campaigned house-to-house for GOP candidates.

"Speaker Benge was extremely active in our campaign cycle. I think the results bear that out," said Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, who succeeded Benge as House budget chairman. "Speaker Benge did an excellent job of managing our races and equipping them with the funds necessary to be successful."

In addition to Benge, Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, is seeking the House's top job. Reynolds said that while he has no animosity toward Benge, he believes Benge has been slow to reverse what Reynolds said was a "very dictatorial" leadership style imposed during Cargill's time as speaker.

"While we are selecting new leaders, what we have not discussed is leadership style," Reynolds said. "I think Chris Benge is an honorable guy. But he had a year to change things and he didn't. He has not addressed even now what changes he might implement if he is elected speaker."

Reynolds said he wants House leaders to develop an inclusive approach to governing that encourages all members of both political parties to participate.

"I want everyone at the table, starting from within our caucus," Reynolds said. "I hope he will try to change the direction of our caucus."

Other House Republicans indicated Benge will easily be re-elected speaker.

"I don't anticipate him having any trouble whatsoever. He's got near unanimous support in the caucus," said Jason Nelson of Oklahoma City, a newly elected House member who said Benge helped him in a difficult campaign that he won with less than 51 percent of the vote.

"The speaker was tremendously helpful. Anything I needed him to do he helped with," Nelson said.

Rep. Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan, said Benge was very helpful in winning re-election in a district that was among the seats targeted by House Democrats.

"Speaker Benge was kind enough, at my invitation, to come down and knock on doors with me. I appreciated his help," Johnson said. "I highly respect our speaker. He came in at a very difficult time and has had a steady hand."

House Republicans will also decide whether Speaker Pro Tem Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell, will remain in his position. Reps. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, and Don Armes, R-Faxon, are also seeking the job.

Reps. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, and Scott Martin, R-Norman, are seeking the caucus chairman job currently held by Wright.

Friday's caucus vote will be ratified at a Jan. 6 organizational meeting of the full House.