Democrats may have tough time electing House speaker

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Outgoing House Speaker Loyd Benson won't be around when his fellow Democrats try to elect a new speaker. <br><br>Benson is going to Miami to watch the Sooners in the Orange Bowl.

Saturday, December 30th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Outgoing House Speaker Loyd Benson won't be around when his fellow Democrats try to elect a new speaker.

Benson is going to Miami to watch the Sooners in the Orange Bowl.

Benson says he's not going to show up for the vote because he didn't get a meaningful responsibility for the new session.

Larry Adair of Stilwell is the designated House speaker this year. Benson says Adair didn't give him an important job.

Democrats have the bare minimum of votes needed Tuesday to elect a House speaker.

Adair must get 51 votes for a majority in the 101-member House.

Democrats were counting on Benson and Representative Ron Langmacher of Carnegie. Langmacher has not revealed how he's going to vote.