Oklahoma Lawmaker To Run For US House

A 26-year-old Republican state House member from Oklahoma City says he's running for the 5th District U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. James Lankford.

1/20/2014 Related Story: Congressman Lankford Announces His Run For Senate Seat

Rep. Mike Turner formally announced he's running on Thursday morning. He says he's running for Congress because he believes Congress needs "strong, active conservatives of a new generation."

Turner also said he's willing to spend $500,000 of his own money on the race. That undoubtedly would help boost his name recognition in an already crowded GOP field.

Turner knocked off an entrenched Republican incumbent to win his north Oklahoma City House seat in 2012.

He joins a list of GOP contenders that includes Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas, state Sen. Clark Jolley, former state Rep. Shane Jett, and former state Sen. and Army veteran Steve Russell.