Oklahoma Gubenatorial Race has Begun

[Joe Biden 2020]

The candidates for the Oklahoma's Governor's Mansion are as follows as of Monday, April 25, 2005

Democrats:

Gov. Brad Henry
Fmr. Rep. Brad Carson

Republicans:

Fmr. Rep. JC Watts

Its still very early, they don't even have a date for our state primary set, yet.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I thought Watts said, he's done with politics? By the way, I like Henry.

Rumor has  it that Watts has changed his mind.  If he wins, he would be the first African-American Governor.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I meant the first Afr-Amer Governor of Oklahoma, thanks.

Watts would probably win but not by very much.

He was a very popular Congressman and the entire state was disappointed when he decided to retire from the House, especially given his leadership roles.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Carson is just a bit to the left of Henry.  I think Carson is just itching to get back into politics.  He was kind of bitter after losing the 2004 Senate race to Tom Coburn and I think he may just want to prove that he can win.  I don't think Carson has much of a chance because Henry is riding the benefits of incumbency and Henry has been for the most part a very good governor.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Henry will win in a landslide if these are the options!!!

Not so fast, ian.  If you'll remember, 2002 wasn't decided until the next week when Brad Henry barely eaked out a victory over his Republican opponent Steve Largent.  JC Watts would be a better opponent than Steve Largent, in my opinion.

Plus, its not even May 2005, yet.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Plus I doubt we'll see that third-party guy in the race again...what was his name?

Gary Richardson

[Joe Biden 2020]

Who would win in a Brad Henery Vs. Mary Fallin (lt. Governor) race for governor?

Tough to say, Mary Fallin has been the Lt Governor for 12 years (as of January 2007).  She served all of Gov. Frank Keating's administration, plus the four years of Gov. Brad Henry's administration.  Mary Fallin, I think, is also running, though I forgot to put her down as a Republican candidate when I started this thread.

If I had to guess, probably Mary Fallin.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I don't think we have.  They may have had some indian in them, like myself, but they were vastly a White American.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Watts will win if he runs. Henry is very tolerable for Republicans but when they get to the ballot box, they'll still go Watts.

I never did buy the idea Watts was tired of politics. I think he wanted to make some money (check) and then come back for bigger things (check?).

Watts does have a good chance of winning, and I wouldn't mind having him as my governor.  However, at the state and local levels, Oklahoma is still fairly Democratic (although the Republicans did take over the State House last year).  However, Watts is not even guaranteed the nomination.  Lt Gov Mary Fallin is very well liked in this state and appeals to both Republicans and some Democrats, though she did cause a rift in the Democratic controlled State Senate session a couple weeks ago.  She was trying to hold up the body from conducting the business of the state for almost the same reason as the US Senate was almost held up.  That may cause her some trouble in her run and may be something Watts can easily exploit in the primary and her Democratic opponent (should she win the nomination) could tear her apart with.

Right now, Brad Henry has the leg up on the Democratic primary because of his incumbency.  Besides that, there's no Democrat that has filed his or her paperwork to run to challenge Brad Henry as of yet.  There have been several file for Lt Governor (they run on different tickets) because Mary Fallin is running for Governor.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Lt Gov Mary Fallin (R) of Oklahoma has decided to seek re-election rather than seek the Governor's Mansion.  That leaves the GOP with two relative unknowns a State Senator and Oil Exec.  Gov. Brad Henry maintains a wide lead over JC Watts of 49%-34%.  Gov. Brad Henry then should be easily re-elected as Oklahoma's Governor.