Retired Professor Elected Democratic Party Chair

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A retired college professor is the new chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.<br/><br/>Ivan Holmes was elected today at the State Democratic Party Convention at the Bricktown

Saturday, May 19th 2007, 7:26 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A retired college professor is the new chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Ivan Holmes was elected today at the State Democratic Party Convention at the Bricktown Event Center in Oklahoma City. The 69-year-old Oklahoma City resident received 366 votes. Former Democratic Party vice chairman Ben Odom of Norman received 258 votes. Both were seeking to replace outgoing chair Lisa Pryor of Norman.

Holmes taught journalism at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah for 30 years. Most recently, he ran the statewide campaign of Lloyd Fields for Labor Commissioner. Fields -- a former lawmaker -- defeated 12-year G-O-P incumbent Brenda Reneau for the
post.

For vice-chair, Kitti Asberry earned the post, receiving 409 votes to Debbie Hogue-Downing's 209 votes.