Winchester, Wright expected to seek post

By M. Scott Carter

Transcript Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY --?Less than a week after he spoke in Norman touting his achievements as House speaker, state Rep. Lance Cargill resigned his post as House leader under pressure from his own caucus.

Cargill, 35, made the announcement Monday afternoon, during a conference call with members of the House's Republican caucus. Cargill did not appear personally before caucus members; and later, made a public statement from the House lounge.

In an e-mailed statement to The Transcript, Cargill said he wanted his ideas to be moved forward "without the burden" of personal stories.

"I have decided to step aside today as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives," Cargill said. "I want nothing more than to have good ideas to move forward without the burden of being weighed down by personal stories about me. I have always said my leadership has been about good ideas, and this move will allow those ideas to flourish as they should."

Cargill -- the nation's youngest House speaker -- has been under fire after published reports indicated he submitted late property tax payments on his Harrah law office six years in a row.

Cargill also reportedly failed to file state personal income tax returns in 2005 and 2006.

Additionally, questions have been raised about fundraising activities in 2004 by a House GOP political action committee headed by Cargill. The Ethics Commission has opened an investigation into the issue.

And last year, Cargill was criticized after he summoned lobbyists to one-on-one meetings at a political consultant's office to seek contributions to Republican political action committees and for the speaker's "100 Ideas Initiative."

?"For several weeks, our policies heading into the session have been buried in the newspapers," he said. "While personal stories have remained on the front pages. I take full responsibility for that, and hope that a new speaker can shift the focus back to the future of this great state."

Cargill said he made the decision over the weekend, after polling members of the House GOP caucus.

"This decision came after I spoke with most of my colleagues over the weekend. I am humbled and honored by the outpouring of support the caucus has shown me and their continued endorsement in my leadership. But one of the responsibilities of a leader is putting the needs of the whole before the needs of my own," he said.

While Cargill did not resign from his elected House seat, his resignation as speaker -- just one week before the legislative session --?put Republicans on the defensive, and sent the House's leadership team scurrying to find a new leader before the legislative session begins.

Published reports indicate that Rep. Gus Blackwell, a Goodwell Republican, will take over the role of speaker temporarily.

"Rep. (Gus) Blackwell will be acting speaker for right now," state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft said. "But we will have a new speaker by the time session starts. I know that Rep. Susan Winchester and Rep. John Wright are going to run and maybe someone else who's not expected."

Both Wright and Winchester sought the position four years ago. Neither House member could be reach for comment.

State Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, said he is hopeful the Republicans can now move forward to the state's pressing issues.

"Lance did the right thing and I'm hopeful we can move beyond this and redirect our focus to the issues facing our state," Martin said.

Martin said the resignation caught him by surprise even though he had heard "lots of talk" about the speaker's tax problems. "No one person is bigger than the process," he said.

Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said he was saddened by Cargill's resignation, but added the act was necessary.

"It's sad but necessary and I graciously accept his resignation," Wesselhoft said. "My prayers are with Lance and his wife, Amber. But I think things will be smoother now. This was an obstacle that had to be resolved. Now the pavement should be smoother."

Cargill's tax problems, he said, had been an issue for caucus members "for some time."

"Here's the bottom line," Wesselhoft said. "Most people don't relate to everything we do up here. But everyone, and I mean everyone, can relate to paying taxes. That's why it (Cargill's resignation) had to be done."

State Republican leaders agreed.

Republican State Chairman Gary Jones told an Oklahoma City radio station that Cargill's resignation was "the right thing to do."

He did the honorable thing in stepping aside, Jones said.

Cargill said House Republicans will spend the next few days working on a transition for a new speaker.

"I know there are a lot of questions about how this move will impact the upcoming session," he said. "Our caucus is working out the details and we will have more answers in the coming days."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.