Candidate Filing 2010

Today was the first of the three day filing period for candidates here in Oklahoma. 391 individuals filed today, for offices ranging from district judge, to Governor, to United State Senate.

Of the candidates, 157 were non-partisan (running for District Judge or Associate District Judge), 96 were Democrats, 134 were Republicans, and 4 were Independents.

The first to file was State Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC), who actually arrived to wait in line at 10:45pm, Sunday evening (filing opened at 8am this morning).

Filing Day Tidbits

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn drew two Republican opponents - Lewis Spring and perennial candidate Evelyn Rogers. U.S. Congressman John Sullivan (R-Tulsa) drew two Republican challengers - Craig Allen and Nathan Dahm. Congressman Dan Boren (D-Muskogee) filed, as did two of his Republican opponents - Daniel Edmonds and Charles Thompson. Edmonds was the first Oklahoma candidate to file for Congress. Congressmen Frank Lucas (R-Cheyenne) and Tom Cole (R-Moore) filed, as did Cole's Republican opponent, R.J. Harris. Two Democrats (Tom Guild and Billy Coyle), three Republicans (James Lankford, Kevin Calvey and Mike Thompson), and one Independent (Clark Duffie) filed for the open 5th Congressional District, which Rep. Mary Fallin is vacating to run for Governor.

All of the major Democrat (Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson) and Republican (Mary Fallin and Randy Brogdon) candidates for Governor filed. Democrat State Sen. Kenneth Corn filed for Lieutenant Governor, as did Bernie Adler, a Republican. Democrat State Auditor Steve Burrage filed, with no opponent currently. Democrat Jim Priest filed for Attorney General. Former State Sen. Owen Laughlin and State Rep. Ken Miller, both Republicans, filed for State Treasurer, as did Democrat Steven Covert. Democrat State Sen. Susan Paddack, Democrat Jerry Combrink, and Independent Richard Cooper filed for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Democrat Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields filed, as did his two Republican challengers (Mark Costello and Jason Reese). Republicans John Doak and Mark Croucher filed for Insurance Commissioner, and Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy filed for reelection.

Only the 22 even-numbered State Senate districts are up for election this year. Every district except for SD16 had a candidate file today. State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm (D-Durant) drew a Republican challenger, Josh Brecheen (a former field representative for U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn) in SD6. Ron Black posted some thoughts on why this race could affect any close statewide race this November.

All state house districts are up, and candidates filed in all but three districts today. In eastern Oklahoma (the 2nd Congressional District), Democrat State Reps. Glen Bud Smithson (HD2), Mike Brown (HD4), and Brian Renegar (HD17) drew Republican challengers. Three open seats drew numerous candidates; HD 3 got two Democrats and one Republican, HD18 drew four Democrats and one Republican, and HD21 drew two Democrats and two Republicans (Jack Accountius and Dustin Roberts). Republican State Reps. Randy Terrill (HD53) and Mike Christian (HD93) both drew Democrat challengers. Both men had their notarized "declarations of candidacy" submitted through proxies (which is completely legal), thereby avoiding speaking to the media. The two are currently being mentioned, along with outgoing Democrat State Sen. Debbe Leftwich, in a possible political corruption case.


Filing continues at the State Capitol tomorrow and Wednesday, from 8am to 5pm. You can view the entire list of candidates here.