Oklahoma today begins a noisy political year with regular and special elections. The state's presidential primary is five weeks away but momentum is beginning to gather for the rest of the state's elections and several entities are looking at holding special elections.
Oklahoma's senior U.S. senator will have to sit for re-election. James Inhofe, a Tulsa Republican, has announced plans to run for another six-year term. Two Democrats, retiree Jim Rogers and state Sen. Andrew Rice both say they're running.
Mr. Rice has been running for months. He has been openly critical of Mr. Inhofe and seems to have found a niche in some voters who are embarrassed by some of Mr. Inhofe's stances.
The Associated Press' Capitol writer Ron Jenkins says Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson have disavowed any Potomac fever. "People are still talking to me about 2008," Mr. Henry told Mr. Jenkins. "I've indicated I will continue to listen for a short period longer."
Oklahoma's five U.S. House members are expected to be heavy favorites in their re-election bids. Locally, all House members and state Sen. Jonathan Nichols will face re-election. If they win, it'll be the final terms for Mr. Nichols and state Rep. Bill Nations. Both are term-limited after this race.
The city's even-numbered council wards are holding elections. Councilman David Hopper has announced he will not seek re-election to the Ward 6 post.
The group promoting a new library building is looking at a May vote. County commissioners are still trying to decide how to pay for the new jail -- a temporary sales tax or ad valorem bond issue -- and the Imagine Norman group would like a MAPS-style capital bond issue at some point during the year.
Happy New Year.
