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After Sen. Debbe Leftwich announced she wasn’t running for the Senate seat she and her deceased husband have held together since 1994, former State Trooper and current Representative Mike Christian announced he will seek the seat. Christian’s announcement, along with Rep. Richard Morrissette’s adamant statement on a local Democratic forum site that he wasn’t running places this seat in the likely Republican column for November unless Democrats can scramble to find a suitable replacement.

Leftwich has been known for her outspoken support for union members, speaking out for rape and incest victims in pro-life legislation, limiting teen drinking through social host policies and her neverending support of cancer prevention legislation, including requirements for colorectal screenings through insurance coverage.

Leftwich’s statement:

“After much consideration, I have decided that I will not seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. My husband, Keith, served District 44 with tremendous distinction, but when he lost his fight with cancer in 2003, he still had unfinished work at the State Capitol. At the urging of constituents who then sent me to the Senate to complete the rest of Keith’s term, I continued that service. I felt extremely fortunate to be reelected to another full term in 2006 without opposition. However, this will be my last session.

“During these past seven years, I’ve had the opportunity to pass bills to better protect victims of domestic violence, improve access to breast and cervical cancer treatment, and I’ve authored legislation to keep teen drivers safer on the road through the graduated license program. I fought for ethics reform, senior nutrition funding and worked to prevent underage drinking.

“I’m proud of what I accomplished, and I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have helped me pass important legislation and who welcomed me into the Senate family from my first day here. It has been a more fulfilling experience than I could have ever imagined. At this juncture though, I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do. Now I feel it is time for me to begin a new journey and a new chapter in my life.

“I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with my sons, Kevin and Kurt, and my father. I want everyone at the State Capitol and in Senate District 44 to know how much this experience has meant to me and what an honor serving in the Oklahoma State Senate has been.”

NewsOK has a story on the Christian announcement. Christian was nearly killed while, as a trooper, he and his wife were involved in a hit-and-run accident that left him with severe head trauma and destroyed his vehicle. He was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in a formerly Democratic seat in 2008. He is a member of the House Native American Caucus as a member of the Choctaw tribe. “My record as a pro-life conservative dedicated to reducing the size of government mirrors the values shared by the people of south Oklahoma City,” said Christian in a statement.

Senators Jonathan Nichols and Jim Reynolds are both expected to leave the Senate after seeking seats in Cleveland County.

Nichols, a former Assistant District Attorney is seeking a Judicial seat and Reynolds, a former house painter, has announced his candidacy for Cleveland County Treasurer.

This brings the total possible special elections in the State Senate to four as all but two of the senior chamber lawmakers are seeking higher office in mid-term. Previously announced candidates Todd Lamb, Susan Paddack are in the middle of their second terms of office. Senators Kenneth Corn and Randy Brogdon are term-limited and retiring, respectively, at the end of their terms to seek the Lt. Governor and Governor jobs.

Ardmore Republican Johnny Loard has announced his candidacy for Senate District 14.  According to an article in the Daily Ardmorite, Loard becomes the third candidate for the seat, following Democrat Donna Spring and Republican Frank Simpson.

A veteran of the United States Navy and a current pastor has announced he will seek the Republican nomination in Senate District 14, which Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield is vacating due to term limits.  In an article in the Daily Ardmorite, the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Mannsville, Frank Simpson, announced he will be seeking the seat in this July’s primary.  Simpson is the second candidate in the race and the first Republican to officially enter the race.  Democrat Donna Spring is the lone Democrat running.

Ed Smith, the Police Chief of Seminole, has announced he will be seeking the Democratic nomination for the House District 28 seat being vacated by Ryan Kiesel.  Smith, a political newcomer, is a long time lawman, having previously served in western Oklahoma.  The Democrat will already face a Republican who was set to challenge Kiesel, Tom Newell.