Posted on 07/27/2004 6:25:54 PM PDT by ambrose
Ex-Congressman Builds Solid Lead in Okla.
Wednesday July 28, 2004 2:01 AM
By RON JENKINS
Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Rep. Brad Carson cruised to the Democratic nomination Tuesday for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Don Nickles, while a former three-term congressman opened up a commanding lead in the Republican primary.
Carson faced little opposition in the Democratic race, but former Rep. Tom Coburn, ex-Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys and a third candidate had been engaged in a bruising Republican campaign marked by allegations of backstabbing and shady land deals.
With 3 percent precincts reporting, Coburn had 3,453 votes, or 54 percent, compared with 1,699 for Humphreys, or 27 percent. State Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony was third with 17 percent. Coburn needed 50 percent of the vote to win the nomination outright and avoid a runoff Aug. 24.
Carson's closest competitor was beleaguered Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher, who is fighting criminal charges and an impeachment inquiry over his handling of state funds and a charity. Carson had 77 percent of the vote in early returns, while Fisher picked up only 9 percent.
The stakes are high in a year in which 34 Senate seats are on the ballot. Oklahoma has one of the few open seats, and the Democrats hope to take advantage of the GOP infighting and pick up a seat in November.
Nickles is retiring after four terms and 24 years in office.
For the most part, candidates ran positive ads the past few days after weeks of commercials in which Anthony questioned Humphreys' land transactions and Humphreys trashed Coburn's congressional voting record.
Coburn and Humphreys took a pledge early in the campaign not to go negative. But Humphreys went on the offensive after Anthony began attacking him over the land deals. Coburn accused Humphreys of going back on his word.
I think Fl is 52/48 if Mel is the Nominee.
And CO is 48/52 as of now.
So is NC 48/52
The Senate will stonewall Bush as successfully in the next round, as it did in this round.
Coburn has at least an 80% chance of winning in OK. By the look on Carson's face last night when the 61% for Coburn was announced, I would say that you are looking at the next Senator from Oklahoma -- Dr. Tom Coburn.
Even my neighbors are excited about Dr. Tom winning and they don't get excited at very much. Everywhere I have been around here, Dr. Tom has been supported -- talked to some Humphreys people who are already volunteering for Dr. Tom. He is an exciting candidate and is going to clobber Carson in the debates. Carson who worked for the Clinton White House is going to rue the day he gave up his Congressional seat to Dan Boren who is running on the fact he can get along with Republicans and the President. Funny to hear a Democrat say that.
I'll create a vanity on it one of these days.
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