Largent has everything going his way _ for now

Largent has everything going his way _ for now <br> <br>RON JENKINS <br> <br>Associated Press Writer <br> <br> <br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Republican Steve Largent has everything going his way in the 2002

Saturday, August 31st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6


Largent has everything going his way _ for now

RON JENKINS

Associated Press Writer


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Republican Steve Largent has everything going his way in the 2002 governor's race for now, but that will change after the Sept. 17 runoff, Democrats say.

Against nominal opposition, Largent racked up 87 percent of the vote in last Tuesday's primary.

Democrats Vince Orza and Brad Henry, meanwhile, landed in a Sept. 17 primary runoff that will keep them busy the next two weeks, while Largent can set his own pace as he continues to build an organization for the Nov. 5 general election.

Two days after the primary, Largent was on the podium with President Bush at a GOP gala in Oklahoma City.

Bush, a landslide winner in the 2000 presidential election in Oklahoma, said he and Largent think alike on such things as education and government's role in society.

Largent already had assumed the frontrunner's role for the general election, doubling his nearest Democrat in fund raising and enjoying a high name rating tied to his days as a professional football star and four terms in Congress.

Orza and Henry argue they are better prepared to tackle state issues than Largent.

Orza, owner of a chain of restaurants, is playing off his success as a businessman and his background as a teacher and college professor. He led a field of five Democrats in the primary with 44 percent of the vote.

Henry, who got 28 percent in the primary, says he has tackled tough issues such as workers' compensation reform during his legislative career and has a track record of support for education.

Largent was exuberant after the election, saying that no matter who the Democratic nominee is, he will be quite different from Largent on the issues.

Republicans are anticipating that Democrats will try to portray Largent as a religious zealot and a congressional maverick.

``I think they will certainly try that, but we are very confident in the record Steve has, both in his personal accomplishments and his leadership in Congress,'' said Mark Nichols, Largent's campaign manager.

Early in his congressional career, Largent generated publicity by sponsoring legislation to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.

He now says he has nothing against the arts, but was reacting to publicly funded projects he considered offensive.

He classified himself as a member of ``the center-right majority'' in Congress and said he had the ability to work well with Democrats.

Jay Parmley, state Democratic chairman, said Largent is so conservative that he is even out of step with conservative Oklahoma.

He said Largent has read the polls and ``has been moving to the middle as fast as he can'' but he ``cannot escape a seven-year ultra conservative voting record.''

Among other things, Parmley said Largent is on record voting for vouchers for private schools in the District of Columbia, something he said most Oklahomans oppose.

Although Largent reaped a lot of free publicity last week, Parmley said ``things will really begin to change in the governor's race'' in the days ahead as the Democratic runoff gets into swing.

He said that will give Democrats a forum to talk about issues important to Oklahoma such as education, jobs and health care.

``I think our nominee will have an edge after they have been battle tested in the runoff,'' Parmley said.

Republicans have been making political points about Democratic infighting in the U.S. Senate race, where former Gov. David Walters and Tulsa attorney Tom Boettcher are in a runoff.

Boettcher drew criticism from Parmley over his refusal to pledge his support of Walters in the general election.

Boettcher, who has blasted Walters over a campaign law violation in 1990, said his campaign is on the move and there is no reason for him to drop out.

Parmley said Orza and Henry have conducted a positive race so far ``and I see no reason why that won't continue in the runoff.

``I'm not at all concerned about party unity and loyalty in the governor's race.''

The primary vote set up another runoff among Democrats in the 4th Congressional District, but that was avoided last week when Norman attorney Ben Odom dropped out and former state Sen. Darryl Roberts of Ardmore became the nominee.

Roberts got 48 percent of the vote against Odom and two other candidates. Odom received 34 percent.

The only other statewide runoff will be between Dana Murphy and Jeff Cloud for the Republican nomination for the Corporation Commission post left vacant by the retirement of Republican Ed Apple.

There will be seven legislative runoffs, five involving Republican candidates.

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