FORMER U.S. attorney announces governor's race

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Former federal prosecutor Gary Richardson announced plans Tuesday to begin an independent bid for governor on Independence Day. <br><br>Richardson, 60, held rallies Wednesday in Tulsa,

Wednesday, July 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Former federal prosecutor Gary Richardson announced plans Tuesday to begin an independent bid for governor on Independence Day.

Richardson, 60, held rallies Wednesday in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Enid.

The prominent Tulsa attorney twice previously ran for Congress as a Republican. He lost a close race in 1980 to incumbent Democrat Mike Synar in the 2nd District.

Richardson, who was the U.S. attorney in Muskogee from 1982 to 1984, heads the Tulsa law firm that Republican Gov. Frank Keating worked for after leaving the federal government and prior to running for governor.

U.S. Rep. Steve Largent, R-Tulsa, and Jim Denny, whose children survived the Oklahoma City bombing, have announced they will seek the Republican nomination. Businessman Vince Orza and former Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren are looking at the Democratic race.