A pair of high-profile Oklahoma Democrats say they won't seek their party's nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Mary Fallin in two years, including Fallin's 2014 challenger and the last Democrat to hold federal elected office in the state.
Updated December 2, 12:27 p.m.
Oklahoma's House Minority Leader says he's taking a "serious look" at running for governor in 2018.
State Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City, told The Associated Press he intends to make a decision in the spring. Inman says he's spent the last year visiting with business, education and community leaders across Oklahoma talking about ways to improve the state.
The attorney was first elected to the House in 2006 and became the Democratic leader three years later. He's term limited in the Legislature in 2018.
Updated December 1, 5:37 a.m.
2014 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Joe Dorman announced Wednesday he has no plans to take another crack at state government's top job in 2018. Dorman has led the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy since September.
Thank you to all who expressed encouragement to look at another run in2018, but it is just not the right time for me to consider it. https://t.co/e8Wv1jSlms
— Joe Dorman (@JoeD4OK) November 30, 2016
"I am passionate about the work we are doing at OICA on behalf of Oklahoma children and families, and I am focusing 100 percent of my attention on those efforts,” Dorman said in an emailed statement. "I am flattered to have been considered a potential candidate, but I will not run for Governor of Oklahoma in 2018.”
Dorman is currently serving on the town council in his native Rush Springs. He didn't rule out public service in the future.
Original Post
Former U.S. Rep. Dan Boren told the Associated Press he opted against entering the campaign after spending the past year visiting with civic and business leaders across the state about a potential run.
Dan Boren decides not to run for Oklahoma governor in 2018 (from @AP) https://t.co/38lMtYHnop
— Sean Murphy (@apseanmurphy) November 29, 2016
"At this moment, it is important for me to spend time with my kids," Boren said late Monday. "My desire for public service has not diminished and I believe some day in the future I will enter public life again." The 43-year-old Boren said he intends to continue working on business development for the Chickasaw Nation and spend time with his two children, ages 6 and 9.
The former four-term member of the U.S. House comes from one of Oklahoma's most prominent political families.
His grandfather Lyle Boren spent a decade in the House in the 1930s and 40s and was active in state politics for years. Dan Boren’s father is former governor, U.S. Senator, and current University of Oklahoma president David Boren. Earlier this year David Boren advised his son not to seek the post. Dan Boren is also distantly related to House Speaker Paul Ryan, who's married to Boren's first cousin Janna.
With Boren out, other high-profile Democrats could consider running.
Former state Rep. Joe Dorman captured more than 40 percent of the vote when he ran against Fallin in 2014. He said in January he wouldn’t run against Boren, who he called one of his best friends, but said in a Facebook post “we will see what happens as it gets closer to the time to announce.” Since leaving office in 2014, Dorman has been on the front lines of efforts to legalize medical marijuana in Oklahoma, and earlier this year became the CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy.
The timing of the next election could also be fortuitous for House Minority Leader Scott Inman, who’s term-limited in 2018. The Del City Democrat hasn’t indicated whether or not he intends to run.
Richardson Redux, But As A Republican
An attorney from Tulsa who won more than 14 percent of the vote as an independent candidate in the 2002 gubernatorial race says he's taking a serious look at running for governor again.
Gary Richardson says he would run as a Republican if he decides to seek the state's top elected office two years from now.
During the 2002 election, Richardson promised to make the state's turnpikes free and fight special interests. He spent more than $2.3 million of his own money on that campaign.
Democrat Brad Henry narrowly won the 2002 election over Republican Steve Largent.
Political observers attribute Henry's victory to Largent and Richardson splitting the conservative vote, and a state question that year that would've banned cockfighting.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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