Democrat gives former football star Largent tough run in Oklahoma governors race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The race for Oklahoma governor was considered former football star Steve Largent's to lose. <br><br>The NFL hall of famer and former congressman's strong name recognition and

Sunday, November 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The race for Oklahoma governor was considered former football star Steve Largent's to lose.

The NFL hall of famer and former congressman's strong name recognition and fund-raising power gave him the kind of front-runner status most politicians would envy, but his opponent, a state senator, is giving Largent a surprisingly strong run for his money.

Democrat Brad Henry trailed by a wide margin in August polls. A mid-October survey sponsored the Tulsa World, however, showed Henry trailing Largent by just 7 percentage points in a poll with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Largent's Web site carried a different survey Friday showing him with a 10-point advantage, but Democrats scoffed at the numbers and point to a recently released survey showing Henry with a two-point lead.

``That definitely raises the anxiety level,'' Largent said. ``It is the only poll we have ever seen where we were trailing. That shoots the blood pressure up, but I said all along that this is going to be a close race.''

Henry, who began his run for Oklahoma governor with limited name recognition, may also be getting a boost from a third gubernatorial candidate, independent Gary Richardson, who appears to be siphoning some support from Largent.

When Largent, 47, resigned his congressional seat after 3 1/2 years to run for governor, he immediately became the front-runner to succeed two-term GOP Gov. Frank Keating, who is barred by law from seeking a third term.

Largent, with his football pedigree, is one of the better-known people in Oklahoma. He faced only token opposition in his party's primary, while Henry finished second in the Democratic primary before gaining the nomination in a runoff.

Henry, 39, has used his young family and his ``aw shucks'' demeanor to his advantage on the campaign trail and in television commercials. He's also managed to tap into Oklahoma's football frenzy by appearing with former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer.

``We like to roll into Wal-Mart parking lots and just cause a commotion,'' Henry said. ``I've been amazed at how people are starved for personal contact.''

``He has run a campaign that identifies him as consistent with Oklahomans' personality and politics,'' said Gary W. Copeland, director of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma.

``He's been folksy at times and voters can identify with him personally,'' Copeland said. ``Also, the campaign has conveyed the message that he's competent and able to do a good job with the current budget crisis.''

Henry supports establishment of a lottery to raise money for schools, which have faced cutbacks because of declining state revenues.

Largent opposes a lottery and says he would find extra money for schools by making administrative cutbacks in some school districts. That hasn't played well in some rural areas, where people fear local schools might be consolidated to save money.

Largent also has run afoul of some rural voters with his support for a ballot measure that would ban cockfighting in Oklahoma, one of three states that allow the blood sport. Henry opposes the ban.

Meanwhile, Richardson, a wealthy independent candidate who has spent more than $2 million of his own money on the campaign, has staked out positions in opposition to turnpike tolls and in support of a lottery.

``Richardson's campaign has hurt Largent,'' Copeland said. ``He has been pretty aggressive in terms of going after Largent.''

Largent, who gained a reputation as a religious conservative with a squeaky-clean image, has also had to deal with a couple of embarrassing incidents.

During the Sept. 11 attacks, Largent was hunting in Idaho and out of touch with his staff. Still, staff members issued a press release with his reaction to the terrorism, and Largent was later forced to apologize for it.

He also raised eyebrows when he blurted out a vulgarity in response to a television reporter's question. Richardson quickly aired a commercial showing Largent making the remark.

Largent concedes he's in a tough race but feels he's in good shape to win.

``If I'm not successful in this campaign, it's not because anybody outworked me or worked smarter than we did,'' he said.