Governor coasts to re-election

defending the First Amendment against the Christian right ...

... because if Jews don't speak out, they'll think we don't mind

Web JewsOnFirst

Optional Member Code

Please email us
(click here)
catcher@JewsOnFirst.org

And "bookmark" us at
JewsOnFirst.org

Jews on First
P.O. Box 33821
Washington DC 20033

310-910-9153

Governor coasts to re-election

By Barbara Hoberock, Tulsa World, November 8, 2006

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly gave Gov. Brad Henry a second term.

The Democratic incumbent picked up about 70 percent of the vote in his race against Republican U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook.

"Obviously, the people of Oklahoma like the job we are doing," Henry said. "They appreciate the job we have done and believe we have done a good job."

But probably more than anything, Henry said, the voters appreciate the bipartisan approach he takes on difficult issues.

Henry said his next term will be focused on bringing teacher pay to the regional average, improving health care, upgrading transportation infrastructure and strengthening public safety.

He said he will continue to work to diversify the state's economy and invest in research to create new products that will spin off more companies.

Istook called about 8:50 p.m. to congratulate Henry on the win, said Paul Sund, the governor's spokesman.

Henry's large campaign war chest and popularity made him the front-runner from the onset.

Henry raised about $4.6 million to Istook's nearly $1.7 million.

Henry, 43, a former state senator, was able to mount a sizeable television campaign, hitting the airwaves with attractive commercials featuring his three daughters and his wife as well as senior citizens and law enforcement officers.

Henry ran on a record of pay increases for teachers, early childhood education programs, tax cuts, a law that cuts into methamphetamine production and the state's robust economy. He repeatedly told supporters that "Oklahoma is on the move."

In campaign commercials, he told voters he did things the "Oklahoma way" and not the Washington way, referring to Istook's 14 years in Congress and its failure to act on the illegal immigration issue.

Shortly after 9 p.m., Istook thanked his supporters and volunteers.

"This is not the best election day of my life," he said, adding that his best election day came in November 1972, when he met his wife, Judy Istook, who campaigned by his side.

He said it was a thrill and a blessing to meet so many people as he traveled the state.

Istook, who gave up his safe 5th District congressional seat to take on Henry, struggled to raise enough money to pay for television advertising.

Istook criticized Henry for illegal immigration inaction, for taking credit for an economy being fueled by oil and gas, and for the early release of drug offenders and clemency for a killer.

He said Oklahoma wasn't doing enough to attract high-paying jobs to keep Oklahomans in the state.

Istook also criticized Henry for watering down recent tax cuts and dragging them out.

Henry responded that he thinks "the public is getting tired of negative advertising and attack ads. We stayed positive and maintained a positive message throughout the campaign."

Henry said his approach to the campaign was to focus on how great the state is and its tremendous future.

In the July 25 primary, Henry faced token opposition and came away with nearly 86 percent of the vote.

Istook defeated three other challengers to avoid a runoff but had to spend money on advertising in the primary.

Istook said Henry used his incumbency to amass a campaign war chest to present himself the way he wanted.

Istook said he knew it was going to be an uphill climb.

"It is always challenging to take on an incumbent, especially during an oil and gas boom," he said.

Istook said he has not made any decision about whether to seek another elective office or about his future.

Voters elected Henry in a close race in 2002 when he defeated U.S. Rep. Steve Largent, a Republican, and independent Gary L. Richardson.

Henry is the third governor in state history to serve a second term. However, the state had a one-term limit until the 1970s, said Michael Clingman, the state Election Board's secretary.

Henry's vote percentage is the highest in at least 48 years, since James Howard Edmondson was inaugurated in 1959.

Clingman said the moderate voter turnout was about what was expected.

Fair Use Statement: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.