Fallin wins Oklahoma GOP nod for governor; Askins ahead in Democratic race

Jul 28, 2010 — Washington Post

Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez

Rep. Mary Fallin (R) won the Republican nod in Oklahoma's open-seat gubernatorial race, clinching the nomination outright in a four-candidate field.

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins appeared headed toward a victory over state Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who had held a double-digit lead in polling heading into the primary.

Fallin, a two-term congresswoman and former lieutenant governor who has been endorsed by national Republicans including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, won the GOP nod outright with 59 percent. Her main rival, state Sen. Randy Brogdon, won 34 percent while two other challengers, businessman Robert Hubbard and retired businessman Roger Jackson, were in the single digits.

Meanwhile, Askins was ahead with 53 percent over Edmondson who had 47 percent. Edmondson -- the son of former Rep. Ed Edmondson (D) and the nephew of former Gov. and Sen. J. Howard Edmondson (D) -- had been the favorite heading into the primary and had been endorsed by the NRA, while Askins received an eleventh-hour endorsement from former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer.

National Republicans hailed Fallin's victory. "Mary Fallin brings a proven record and a strong vision for an Oklahoma where taxes are low, government spending is under control, and people are more free to make their own choices for what is best for them and their families," the Republican Governors Association said in a release.

The race to succeed term-limited Gov. Brad Henry (D) has been viewed by most political handicappers as a prime pickup opportunity for Republicans - Oklahoma was the only state where every county voted for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008, giving the Republican presidential nominee 66 percent of the vote.

But, according to a Sooner Poll released this week, the race may be closer than previously thought. The survey showed Fallin leading Askins 46 percent to 40 percent.

Oklahoma Republicans also held a closely-contested primary in the race to succeed Fallin in the state's 5th district where former state Rep. Kevin Calvey was leading with 33 percent but looked headed to a runoff against professor James Lankford, who took 32 percent. Calvey, who waged an unsuccessful primary challenge against Fallin in 2006, has enjoyed the backing of the Club for Growth. Whoever wins the Aug. 24 runoff will be favored to win in the heavily-Republican district based in Oklahoma City.

In the state's 2nd district, Rep. Dan Boren (D) fended off an underfunded primary challenge from his ideological left, taking 74 percent to state Sen. Jim Wilson's 26 percent. Wilson had targeted Boren for his opposition to the national health care overhaul.

The state's other incumbents facing primary challenges -- Reps. John Sullivan (R), Frank Lucas (R) and Tom Cole (R) as well as Sen. Tom Coburn (R) -- easily won their battles for renomination.