A retired Army lieutenant colonel who served in the Oklahoma state Senate is the latest Republican to join the race for the U.S. House seat being vacated by two-term Republican Rep. James Lankford.
Steve Russell told The Associated Press Tuesday that he's "definitely in" the race.
The 50-year-old Russell served in the state Senate from 2008 to 2012 after a more than 20-year Army career that culminated with the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He wrote the book "We Got Him" about his unit's role in the hunt for and capture of Saddam Hussein.
Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas and former state Rep. Shane Jett — both Republicans — also say they will be in the race.
Lankford says he's running for the U.S. Senate following the resignation of Sen. Tom Coburn.
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