More Political Candidates File

But the pace slowed when filing resumed Tuesday, with fewer than 10 candidates for legislative seats submitting their election papers by midmorning. On Monday, 185 candidates paid their filing fees.

State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman said he expects fewer than 400 candidates to file for this fall's elections before Wednesday's 5 p.m. deadline.

A campaign official filed papers to start Inhofe's re-election bid. Filing against Inhofe were Democratic state Sen. Andrew Rice of Oklahoma City and two little-known Republican challengers.

"As I officially launch my re-election campaign, I will be talking about the tremendous progress Oklahomans have made together and focusing on the future challenges we must still confront. I look forward to running a vigorous campaign on the issues," Inhofe said in a statement.

Rice told reporters Inhofe had been "tone deaf" to Oklahomans' concerns. He faulted the incumbent for vowing to "block public policy to curb global warming" and said he has been more interested in protecting special interests than seeking solutions.

He said he would work for alternative energy solutions. "We should have been doing this 10 years ago, but instead our leaders have been protecting the status quo, he said.

Josh Kivett, campaign manager for Inhofe, said Oklahoma voters know Inhofe and respect him as a hard worker.

"There will be plenty of time during the campaign to talk about ideas and lay out our solutions to the issues facing Oklahoma and the nation," Kivett said.

Rice said he dedicated his life to public service after his brother, David, was killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.

Inhofe is seeking a third full term in the Senate. He was first elected to an unexpired term in 1994.

Dennis Lopez, a machinist and part-time Baptist preacher from Thackerville near the Texas border, filed against Inhofe as a Republican. So did Evelyn L. Rogers of Tulsa, who has ran several times for federal posts.

Also filing papers were all of the state's five incumbent U.S. House members -- Republicans John Sullivan of the 1st District, Frank Lucas of the 3rd District, Tom Cole of the 4th District and Mary Fallin of the 5th District, and Democrat Dan Boren of the 2nd District.

Others filing for congressional races were Democrats Georgianna W. Oliver, 41, of Tulsa in the 1st District; Frankie Robbins, 62, of Medford in the 3rd District and Bert Smith, 60, in the 5th District.

It was the third time Smith, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran, had filed in the 5th District. The high school math teacher was the Democratic nominee in 2004.

Fallin said her position on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will help secure needed federal funds for road and bridge projects in Oklahoma.

Cole said he expects the next Congress to be more important than the current one, which avoided decisions on tough issues such as illegal immigration and energy.

He predicted "a burst of legislative activity in 2009," after a new president and Congress are in place.

Cole said his focus will be to continue the flow of federal dollars to Oklahoma military bases that won new missions under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process.

A handful of candidates formed a line before the start of filing at 8 a.m. Monday. State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, was the first to file.

Two Corporation Commission posts also will be on the statewide ballot. Commissioner Jeff Cloud filed Monday for re-election to a second six-year term.

Commissioner Jim Roth, who was appointed, also was expected to run for election to an unexpired term. Rep. Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher, filed for Roth's job on Monday.

All 101 seats in the Oklahoma House are also up for grabs this fall as are half of the 48 seats in the Oklahoma Senate.

State House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, filed for re-election on Monday and drew a primary foe -- 25-year-old Brian Jackson of Sand Springs.

Democrat Dianne Hunter of Edmond was the only candidate to file in House District 96, which has been represented by former House Speaker Lance Cargill. Cargill, R-Harrah, resigned as speaker after publicity over ethics issues and payment of late taxes.

In the state Senate, former Oklahoma State University President Jim Halligan, a Stillwater Republican, filed for the Senate post being vacated by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater.