Ernest Istook Pushes Immigration Issue; Brad Henry Cites Distortions In Governor's Race

Saturday, September 23rd 2006, 5:32 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Republican Ernest Istook continues to criticize Democratic incumbent Governor Brad Henry on illegal immigration, but Henry says Istook is lying and trying to cover up the failure of Congress to address the contentious issue.

Last week, Istook issued a news release saying Henry was quoted in a published report as saying that amnesty could be considered for illegal immigrants. Henry denies that claim.

It was the latest of a series of attacks on the immigration issue that Istook has launched as he tries to catch up with Henry in the polls and in campaign financing.

Polls have showed the incumbent leading by about 30 percentage points, although the Istook campaign says its own survey shows Henry with only an 8 percentage-point lead.

In mid-August, Henry had 2.5 million dollars on hand, according to his campaign report, to just about $29,000 for Istook, the seven-term congressman from the 5th District.

Istook spent more than 1 million dollars to win the GOP primary.