U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin Announces Her Race for Governor

Just over a month since Lt. Gov. Jeri Askins, OU ‘75, announced she would enter into a Gubanatorial campaign, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin is throwing her hat in the ring, as well. Fallin announced Feb. 28 at the Oklahoma GOP County Convention that Oklahoma needs steady leadership in shaky economic times.

“We need a new voice for the state of Oklahoma,” Fallin said, “and we need strong leadership that has experience to lead us through some challenging times, and my years in the state Legislature, twelve years as lieutenant and now experiencing a second term in Congress, I feel like I can best represent the state of Oklahoma and lead us into a prosperous economy.”

Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, she is only the second woman in Oklahoma history to serve in Congress. Fallin currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Small Business Committee. On the Small Business Committee she has fought for tax cuts and “unnecessary government regulation.”

In 1994, she was elected the states’ first woman and the first Republican Lieutenant Governor, an office she held for three terms.

Fallin, who has never lost an election in which she has run, will not seek another term in Congress. The open seat leaves potential candidates eyeing the seat.

“Anytime you have an open seat, then people are a lot more apt to take a look at that and run,” OKGOP Chairman Gary Jones said.

CurrentlyOK exclusively reported back in November that Dr. Johnny Roy intends to run for the Fifth Congressional seat. Kevin Calvey has also stated he intends to run. Both contested Fallin in 2006.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, who forced Fallin into a run-off in 2006, said he would first decide if he would seek reelection as Mayor before deciding if the Congressional seat should be his.