OK Speaker TW Shannon Expected To Resign, Seek Coburn's Seat

Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon is expected to step down from his post soon, that's the word Thursday night from News 9 political analyst Scott Mitchell.

News 9 has discovered that Shannon has formed an exploratory committee in the hopes of running for Sen. Tom Coburn's soon-to-be-vacated seat.

Coburn's office released a statement from the senator on Jan. 16. He said his decision was not related to his battle with prostate cancer. Instead, he said he's a "citizen legislator," who was committed to serving no more than two terms in the Senate.

The announcement of Coburn's retirement is expected to cause ripples in Oklahoma's political landscape.

Gov. Mary Fallin says that a special election to fill Coburn's seat will coincide with Oklahoma's regularly scheduled elections, a request Coburn made to help save the state money.