Senator Tom Coburn To Seek Re-Election

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- An Oklahoma senator makes an important announcement.  Republican Senator Tom Coburn has confirmed that he'll seek a second term in office.  He delivered the news before a packed house at the Tulsa Press Club on Monday morning.  In addition to announcing his plan to run for re-election, Senator Coburn touched on some of the most important political issues of the day.

He's known on Capitol Hill for fiscal conservatism and he's known from coast-to-coast for keeping an eye on wasteful spending.

"The real problems are the government is outside of its bounds, as defined by the constitution," said Senator Tom Coburn.

Coburn is front-and-center for some of today's most pressing issues.  Last week President Obama tapped Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill a Supreme Court vacancy.  Coburn's on the Judiciary Committee which means he gets to conduct private question-and-answer sessions with Sotomayor.  He says he doesn't know yet how he'll vote.

"I think it's great that we have a Hispanic female nominated to the Supreme Court. But, the decision has to be made, do they make decisions based on statutes in the constitution, not on what they feel is right," said Senator Tom Coburn.

Coburn's also an outspoken critic of big government.  He says government is sticking its fingers where they don't belong in Oklahoma.  

He points to a water sewage project in Perkins this year.  It had been budgeted for $1.5 million dollars, but when the city accepted stimulus funds, the cost of the project doubled.

"So, we're going to pay $1.6 million more because we're using stimulus money to pay for a project in Perkins, Oklahoma, because of the rules of the federal government," said Senator Tom Coburn.

Coburn also addressed Tulsa Congressman John Sullivan's decision to treat his alcohol addiction.  He calls it a courageous decision.

"John was not a problem member of Congress. But, he took a tough stand, and stood up, and said I'm going to get it treated before it becomes a problem," said Senator Tom Coburn.

Senator Coburn is also a physician and he maintains a medical practice in Muskogee.  He says if he is re-elected, his second term will his last.

As of now, he has no challengers in next year's primary.