By M. Scott Carter

Transcript Staff Writer

Democrats will turn back a GOP drive to take control of the state Senate this fall, the Senate’s former leader predicted this week.

Lexington Senator Cal Hobson — who served as Senate president pro tempore from 2002 to 2005 — said Republican efforts to take control the Oklahoma Senate for the first time since statehood will not only fail, but also cost the GOP a seat in the effort.

“We’re going to hold all our seats and even pick up an additional one,” Hobson said Wednesday. “We’ve got a good chance to get rid of Randy Brogdon. We came within two percentage points last time. This cycle, I believe we’ll do it.”

Hobson said Brogdon, of Owasso, was politically weak because he was “more interested in the TABOR initiative” than in serving his district. “And that could be his undoing.”

With their slim, 26-22 margin, Senate Democrats have been on the defensive all year. But Hobson said GOP Senator Nancy Riley’s late summer switch lifted spirits and changed the face of the election. “Picking up Senator Riley’s seat was huge. It was an incredible boost to morale, and a major PR victory.”

However, before Democrats can plan victory celebrations, they must hold several key seats, including:

• District 26 in southwestern Oklahoma, which covers parts of Beckham, Caddo, Greer and Jackson counties and all of Kiowa, Tillman and Washita counties.

• District 32 in Lawton, and all of Comanche County.

• District 18 which includes parts of Mayes, Tulsa and Wagoner counties.

• District 12 which includes Creek County and a portion of Okfuskee county.

• District 2. which covers Claremore and portions of Mayes and Rogers counties.

• District 24 with portions of Cleveland, Grady, McClain and Stephens counties, including portions of Duncan and Moore.

• District 16, Hobson’s seat which covers Cleveland and a portion of McClain County.

With the exception of the District 12 seat, Hobson said the Senate’s incumbent Democrats are safe.

“Republicans are barking up the wrong tree. The only place where there might have a slight chance is Senate District 12. And with a strong economy and a great candidate — well, we’re not giving up that district without a big fight.”

Additionally, Hobson predicted Republicans would fail in their attempt to take Senate District 24.

“You’re not gonna outwork Daisy Lawler,” he said. “Mr. Sikes may be a terrific candidate, but this district takes in four counties, and the heart of it is in Stephens and Grady County. Sikes is from the wrong part of the district and he’s up against a great senator.”

Still, even with quality candidates and a strong economy, Hobson said Democrats have a great deal of work to do. “There is a lot at stake this year,” he said. “Democrats will have to work as a team.”

In Norman, Hobson said Democrats will have to put aside “individual personalities” and work to keep the Senate Democratic. “I’ve spoken with more people than I can count,” he said. “My wife is making phone calls. We’re going to help bring the warring parties together and unite.”

Charges of negative campaigning have haunted the Senate District 16 race since July.

Following John Sparks’ successful bid for the Democratic nomination in Aug. 22 primary runoff election, a group calling itself “Citizens for Campaign Integrity” ran newspaper ads decrying “the politics of personal destruction” and criticizing Sparks’ campaign for its tactics.

Hobson said local Democrats have planned a unity picnic at Reaves Park on Labor Day in an effort to “bring people back together.”

People are going to have to work together, he said. “The stakes are much greater than the individual. There’s too much too lose.”

M. Scott Carter

366-3545

scarter@normantranscript.com