Oklahoma Republicans Hope To Gain Political Dominance

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- In a state dominated by Democrats for nearly a century, Oklahoma Republicans hope to ride a conservative wave and extend their grip of state government into the governor's mansion.

The GOP already controls both of Oklahoma's U.S. Senate seats, four of the five U.S. House seats and the Oklahoma Legislature.

Now they have a conservative wind at their backs and a bitter rejection of President Obama, who failed to win a single of the state's 77 counties in 2008.

Oklahoma Votes: 2010

Republicans are likely to extend their majorities in the Legislature and could capture the governor's seat and several open statewide offices.

If successful in November, it would be the first time since statehood that the GOP controlled both houses of the Legislature and the governor's office.

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