http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=91223Ernest Istook Is Running For Governor
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Veteran Rep. Ernest J. Istook said Monday he is leaving Congress to run for governor of his home state, a post now held by Democrat Brad Henry.
Flanked by supporters and members of his family at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Istook said he came to the decision after long and ``prayerful'' deliberations with his wife, Judy.
``I am running to become governor of Oklahoma, and I intend to win,'' Istook said.
Istook stressed the importance of leading Oklahoma to prosperity through job creation and a focus on education that emphasized the role of parents in the lives of students.
``We should never discuss education without discussing parents,'' he said.
Earlier Monday, Istook said his decision had nothing to do with losing his chairmanship of the subcommittee that oversees highway funding.
``This is unrelated. This has to do with Oklahoma's leadership needs. It's something that has always been in my heart to do,'' he told The Associated Press shortly before his formal announcement.
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