Representative For John Edwards Files Candidacy Papers

Tuesday, December 4th 2007, 11:21 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Democrats John Edwards and Bill Richardson on Tuesday joined the growing list of candidates to file paperwork for the state's Feb. 5 presidential primary. Also filing was Republican Alan Keyes of Maryland.

Representatives of Republicans John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were among nine presidential contenders to file paperwork on Monday, the first day of a three-day filing period for the primary.

All of the major candidates for the Democratic and Republican nominations are expected to have their names entered for the Oklahoma election before the three-day filing period ends at 5 p.m Wednesday.

Edwards finished a close second to Wesley Clark in Oklahoma's Democratic primary four years ago.

Jim Frasier, former Democratic state chairman and a Edwards supporter, said the former North Carolina senator "fits Oklahoma. He fits like a glove."

He said Edwards will benefit from the current infighting between Obama and Clinton in Iowa. "His electability numbers are extremely high and after all that is what Democrats are looking for -- someone who can win."

Richardson is governor of New Mexico. Another governor from a bordering state -- Republican Mike Huckabee -- has yet to file, as has former GOP Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee.

Oklahoma is among 23 states that will hold primaries or party caucuses on Feb. 5.

Presidential primaries will be held on that date in neighboring Arkansas and Missouri. Three other bordering states -- Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico -- will hold caucuses.

Only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in primaries in Oklahoma. Independents or candidates from other parties can file for president in June if they can secure valid signatures on petitions representing 3 percent of the Oklahoma vote for president in 2004.

Related story:

12/3/2007 Presidential Candidates File For Oklahoma Ballot