Congressman Lankford Announces His Run For Senate Seat

Just three days ago, U.S. Senator Tom Coburn announced he will give up his seat at the end of the current session, two years early.

On Monday, the race to replace the Tulsa doctor began to take shape, as 5th district Congressman James Lankford threw his name in the ring.

1/16/2014 Related Story: Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn To Resign After Current Session

"Today I am formally announcing my intention to seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate for Oklahoma," Lankford told a crowd gathered today at the Oklahoma History Museum.

Others whose names had been mentioned as possible candidates announced today that they are not running -- Congressman Tom Cole, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, and Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb all released statements to that effect.

Congressman Lankford says he first started considering a run at the Senate seat a couple of months ago, when the first reports surfaced of Sen. Coburn facing renewed health issues. He says encouragement from family and friends helped him decide to go for it, as well as, a belief that he can make a difference in a chamber where, he says, conservative voices have been marginalized.

"As a conservative and a strong proponent of the constitutional system that we have," Lankford stated, "I have not written off our nation."

But at least one conservative group -- the Senate Conservatives Fund -- has written him off, criticizing him for voting to support increases in the debt ceiling, among other things.

But Lankford brushes off such criticism, saying he has no responsibility to D.C.-based special interest groups.

"My responsibility," Lankford said, "is to be able to say to the people of Oklahoma, 'Here's who I am,' and people that know me know my passion for conservative values."

Other conservatives who may join him in the race include Republican Congressman Jim Bridenstine and former Governor Frank Keating. Officials with the Oklahoma Democratic Party say, on their side, former State Senator Kenneth Corn, and current Senator Connie Johnson are considering getting into the race.

Observers say whoever runs is going to have to decide quickly, as Lankford did. WIth the primary set for June 24, there is barely five months to campaign in 77 counties, and even less time to raise the money to do mailings, signs, and advertising.