Oklahoma Politics Becoming Musical Chairs

Term Limits throws a wrench in career plans for politicians

  We are entering the phase of the electoral cycle where the political king-makers and proverbial 'smoke-filled rooms' get very active. No ad buys yet, not even a single candidacy announcement. But make no mistake, most of the successful campaigns start during these quiet 'out-years'. The 2016 campaigns will be about the presidency and representatives. Then we move on to a big shuffle.

2018 Futures: 

  Incumbent Corporation Commissioner, Dana Murphy, will likely seek a 2nd term as a Corporation Commissioner.  Incumbent Superintendent of Public Education, Joy Hofmeister, will likely seek a 2nd term.  Most of Oklahoma's statewide elective offices are going to be 'open seats'. That's a term which means the current occupant is not running for another term in the current office.

The 2018 Futures

  Being the editor of the Sooner Politics Online Newspaper brings with it a few interesting perks. One such perk is that I get included in a few circles of intentional gossip. Here's some of that very preliminary and admittedly incomplete gossip. In the 2018 statewide races, the candidates who are rumored (in no particular order) for:

Governor- Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt,  Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb,  Rep. Bridenstine Lt. Governor- Labor Comm. Mark Costello Ins. Comm. John Doak Sen Eddie Fields Attorney General-  Sen. Anthony Sykes Fmr Dist Atty Ryan Leonard

Labor Commissioner- Jason Reese Treasurer- Sen. Clark Jolley Gary Jones Insurance Commissioner- Fmr Workers Comp.  Denise Engle Rep. Glen Mulready Auditor- ?

 The state's voters have pushed Oklahoma to the forefront in term limits. About 25 years ago, Lloyd Noble II masterminded a first-in-the-nation reform which capped legislative serve at 12 years (SQ632).

Being the editor of the Sooner Politics Online Newspaper brings with it a few interesting perks. One such perk is that I get included in a few circles of intentional gossip.

  And just a few years back, the  state's voters  staunchly approved Senator Randy Brogdon's SQ 747, which extended that term limiting concept to statewide elective offices in state government. Our statewide elected leaders are limited to 2 terms in their office. Most of these leaders serve a 4 year term.  Rep Jason Murphey was the House sponsor of that constitutional amendment.

David Van Risseghem