Leading Edmond Republicans seek statewide posts

By Patrick B. McGuigan

In separate announcements, two Edmond Republicans with MidTown Oklahoma City ties have announced intentions to seek statewide offices in 2010. Todd Lamb and Ken Miller, each with several years of legislative experience, are expected to wage effective campaigns in what is shaping up as a competitive election season.

Sen. Lamb announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor on August 26 at the Jim Thorpe Museum on N. Lincoln Boulevard. Lamb said he would concentrate on economic development and presentation of a strong fiscal image in his campaign as the state competes “against our neighbors to the south, the rest of the United States and the world.”

Lamb has garnered the support of Devon Energy’s Larry Nichols, as well as former U.S. Sen. Don Nickles and Sandridge Energy’s Tom Ward. Lamb, elected to the Senate in 2004, worked for former Gov. Keating and spent several years as a Secret Service agent.

Also seeking the GOP nod for the state’s #2 job is state Rep. John Wright. The incumbent, Democrat Jari Askins, is seeking her party’s nomination for governor. State Sen. Ken Corn, also a Democrat, could make a strong nominee for the lieutenant governor’s job.

Rep. Ken Miller, House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman, has steered a fiscally conservative course while guiding budget and tax policy for the Republican caucus. A member of the Legislature since 2004, he worked previously in Gov. Frank Keating’s administration. He has taught economics at Oklahoma Christian University for the past 11 years.
Miller garnered a series of strong endorsements in announcing his
steering committee last month, including the support of MidTown leaders Nichols of Devon Energy, David Rainbolt of BancFirst and Mark Funke of Bank of Oklahoma-OKC.

Also seeking the Republican nomination for treasurer is former state Sen. Owen Laughlin. The incumbent, Democrat Scott Meacham, has not yet clarified his intentions for 2010. There has been little speculation as to whom the party might put forward if Meacham passes on a re-election try.