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November 7, 2012

Standridge tops Griffith in District 15 state senate race

By Caitlin Schudalla The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Republican Rob Standridge swept the vote Tuesday, taking the state Senate seat for District 15 by a near 60-percent majority.

“We’re glad to get to this point,” Standridge said, on his victory. “It has been a long journey and very much a team effort. I’ve had a lot of great supporters”

Standridge, a pharmaceutical business and supply entrepreneur, ran against Democrat Claudia Griffith, herself a registered nurse serving Cleveland County Health department and Norman Regional Hospital as a registered nurse and Public Health expert.

In spite of the sadness of defeat, Griffith was grateful for the experience of running.

“I’m disappointed. I worked hard, I really thought I had a chance,” Griffith said. “I did have great support. The Democratic party was very supportive. I am a far better person for having run.”

Looking forward, both Standridge and Griffith were introspective and optimistic.

“You have to look at it as, things happen for a reason and there’s got to be something better out there for me,” Griffith said.

Standridge is grateful and eager to move forward — after a much-needed break.

“Looking forward I will take a break first, my family deserves it. I want to thank my supporters who have been there from the beginning, in particular my mother and my wife,” Standridge said. “I had some great conversations with constituents and voters and I’ll be thinking about them as we continue on.”

Standridge started a technology and equipment company, Health Engineering Systems.

Griffith, a lifelong Oklahoma, has been married to her husband Jim, a dentist and city councilman in Norman, for 40 years.

Caitlin Schudalla366-3541cschudalla@normantranscript.com

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