Drew Edmondson's 16-year career as Oklahoma's attorney general will come to an end next year. He made it official Wednesday. He'll be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010.
Mr. Edmondson's term will be characterized by two major initiatives. One is complete and the other goes to trial in September.
The first is his participation with other state attorneys general in a lawsuit against tobacco manufacturers. It led to a landmark settlement case which has pumped millions into state health services, smoking cessation and prevention programs which are gradually reducing the number of smokers in Oklahoma.
The second issue dominating Mr. Edmondson's tenure has been an evironmental lawsuit against Arkansas poultry producers. That suit was filed in 2005 and is expected to begin in federal court in Tulsa in September.
Mr. Edmondson joins another state political veteran in seeking the Democratic nomination. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins has been traveling the state with her campaign. It sets up a matchup some Democrats didn't want to happen. Republican hopefuls include Congresswoman Mary Fallin and state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso.
Mr. Edmondson's family political history will be an asset in the campaign. His uncle, J. Howard Edmondson, served as governor from 1959 to 1963. Drew Edmondson's father, Ed Edmondson, served in Congress for 20 years and his brother, Jim Edmondson, is chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
