2nd District Congressional Race Update: Dan Arnett and Howard Houchen

In the past week, campaign websites for 2nd Congressional District Republican candidates Howard Houchen of Hugo and Dan Arnett of Henryetta have launched. Per Houchen's Twitter page, he has just finished up a three day, 1100 mile campaign trip, speaking most recently at a meeting of the Delaware County Republican Party, where fellow candidate Dan Arnett was also present.

Both candidates will be speaking at the June 20th Oklahoma Federation of Young Republicans convention in Oklahoma City, as well as the June 27th Second District GOP meeting in Muskogee.

Since my previous post on Dan Arnett, I have found out that he announced in the Henryetta Freelance several days before the OU Daily story came out. My apologies for the confusion; the article is below:

Arnett Announces Candidacy
Thursday, May 21st, Henryetta Freelance

Daniel A. Arnett, a 2003 graduate of Henryetta High School, has announced his candidacy to represent Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District in the 2010 Election cycle.

A lifelong resident of Henryetta, Arnett is currently finishing his Juris Doctor at the Drexal University Earle Mack School of Law in Philadelphia, after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Oklahoma Christian University.

If elected, Arnett promises to help create transparency and make the government more accountable to the people.

“As soon as those in government are no longer accountable to their constituents, no longer have a backbone to stand up for what is right, and no longer work to keep the government within the confines of the Constitution,” says Arnett, “the people will soon lose their rights."

I will give one word of caution to Second District Republicans - don't pick a candidate yet. Remember the 2004 Senate race, when Kirk Humphreys was the "anointed" candidate, and Tom Coburn announced very late in the race. There is still a lot of time between now and the 2010 primary, so don't get too hasty in choosing a candidate to get behind yet. Seven to eight possible candidates will be speaking at the Second District GOP meeting at the Muskogee Public Library on June 27th, but I am sure that more people will announce than will be speaking at that meeting. So again, take a deep breath, and wait before committing. A lot can happen between now and then.