Three Democratic Hopefuls Compete For District Two Seat

As Tuesdayâ€™s Oklahoma primary draws closer, the campaign trail gets busier.<br><br>The race for the second congressional district seat is one of the hottest here in northeastern Oklahoma. <br><br>There

Saturday, August 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

As Tuesdayâ€™s Oklahoma primary draws closer, the campaign trail gets busier.

The race for the second congressional district seat is one of the hottest here in northeastern Oklahoma.

There are three democrats hoping to replace retiring Republican Congressman Tom Coburn.

The candidates on the November ballot will be chosen from a field of three. They are Bill Settle, Brad Carson and Jim Wilson.

Bill Settle has been an Oklahoma state representative for the past 10 years.

Settle is on a 26-city tour three days before the primary. He's touting issues such as education and patientsâ€™ bill of rights.

"I think I understand the people of the second district better. Iâ€™ve been working for working Oklahomans all my life. Iâ€™ve been a teacher, a federal prosecutor, and I understand the people here and talk with them and work with them on a daily basis for many years," says Settle.

One of his opponents, Brad Carson, says he's running because there is a void in leadership from Oklahoma.

In his campaign ads he knocks several of Settle's claims and says he is the one for the job.

"I think there are a couple of big issues health care for seniors. Lowering our prescription drug prices, making sure we crack down on nursing home abuses and improving education is important," says Carson.

The third candidate running for the Democratic nomination is Jim Wilson who is an investor in Claremore.

He says he is in the race because he has a plan for the district.

Wilson says he would like to sell land around the district's lakes to get a larger tax base.

"My two opponents are attorneys and if the people of the district want another attorney in Washington vote for Mr. Carson or Mr. Settle. But if they feel like I do that we have too many attorneys in Washington, Iâ€™d appreciate their vote and their support," says Wilson.

Now the candidates must wait and see who gets enough support to send them to Washington.

There are seven Republican also running for the seat that Coburn is leaving.

One of them is Steve Money.

Saturday, he was asked by Congressman Coburn to pull what he calls "deceptive ads."

Coburn says the ads make it appear that he supports Money when he doesn't.

Coburnâ€™s endorsing Andy Ewing.