Two House Democrats claim they were approached about switching parties

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Some Oklahoma Democrats in the state House say they've been approached by Republicans about switching parties.

Democratic Representatives Billy Mitchell and Charles Gray won't name the Republicans who approached them. Both say they don't plan on switching parties.

House Republicans picked up eight seats in the election to hold 48 seats in the 101-seat House.

The next Legislature will take up redistricting of legislative and congressional districts according to the upcoming U.S. Census numbers.

That makes having political control of the House more important than ever.

House Republican Leader Fred Morgan says he hasn't approached any Democratic legislator about switching parties. But Morgan says he wouldn't be surprised if other Republicans have taken such action.