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Coburn retirement raises chance of Lucas candidacy

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla

Thursday night’s announcement by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., that he is battling cancer and will retire at the end of this year raises the possibility that House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., might run for the seat, the Associated Press reported today.

Coburn’s term was to end in 2016.



“Among the Republicans mentioned as possible contenders are U.S. Reps. Tom Cole, Frank Lucas, Jim Bridenstine and James Lankford, along with Attorney General Scott Pruitt,” the AP said.

Under Republican rules, Lucas is expected to give up his Agriculture chairmanship at the end of this year, but has said that if Congress does not pass a farm bill he will ask the leadership to reappoint him.



Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, said today that Coburn’s retirement triggers a special election for the seat, to be held this year on regularly scheduled election dates.

The primary will be June 24; a potential runoff election would be held on August 26; and the general election will occur on November 4. F

–the Hagstrom Report