State Democratic Party Chair Won't Seek Re-Election

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The head of the Oklahoma Democratic Party said she won't seek a second term as chairman.<br/><br/>Lisa Pryor announced her decision during a meeting Saturday of the party's

Sunday, February 18th 2007, 2:12 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The head of the Oklahoma Democratic Party said she won't seek a second term as chairman.

Lisa Pryor announced her decision during a meeting Saturday of the party's central committee.

"At this time I have no plans to run for re-election as your party chair," Pryor said in a statement. "I am working on my options both in and out of politics. When the time is right, I will announce what I am going to do."

When Pryor was elected party chairman in May 2005, she inherited a $540,000 debt, which she reduced by 70 percent in less than two years.

She also serves as the party's executive director, which pays about $60,000 annually.

Party vice chairman Ben Odom announced this month he will run for party chairman. Democratic delegates will elect a chairman and other party officers during their party's convention May 19 in Oklahoma City.

Meanwhile, state Republican Party Chairman Tom Daxon said Saturday he will seek a full two-year term.

Others seeking the Republican chairman's position, which pays about $65,000 annually, are former party chairman Gary Jones of rural Cache and Jerry Buchanan of Tulsa, who is chairman of the Tulsa County Republican Party.