State lawmaker may run for labor post

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State Representative Tim Pope says he's formed an exploratory committee in advance of a possible run for state Labor Commissioner.

The Republican from Mustang says he's making the announcement nearly two years before the election so he'll be seen as the front-runner on the G-O-P ticket.

Pope has served as a state representative for 14 years and been a member of a House committee that deals with laws governing the Labor Department.

Current Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau Wynn is planning to run for lieutenant governor in 2002.