Carson gets backing from ex-mayors, others

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Members of ``Republicans for Carson'' are proclaiming their support for Democrat Brad Carson. <br/><br/>The group gathered at the Capitol today to show their support for Carson,

Thursday, October 14th 2004, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Members of ``Republicans for Carson'' are proclaiming their support for Democrat Brad Carson.

The group gathered at the Capitol today to show their support for Carson, a candidate for U-S Senate.

Carson is in a tight race with Republican Tom Coburn for a senate seat, which could be pivotal in the battle for control of the Senate.

The seat has been held for 24 years by Republican Don Nickles, who is retiring.

The Coburn campaign responded to the announcement of G-O-P support for Carson by sending out a news release saying Coburn is being endorsed by Virgil Cooper. Cooper was the Democratic nominee whom Coburn defeated in the 1992 2nd Congressional District race.

Patrick Keegan, a Tulsa small businessman, spoke for the group at the Capitol. He says he's a registered Republican who was proud to have supported Nickles and others GOP candidates in the past, including President Bush. But he says Carson has done a better job for Oklahoma while in congress.