Republicans already gearing up for governor's race

Monday, April 18th 2005, 5:45 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) While Democratic Gov. Brad Henry is mired in battles at the Capitol over school funding, taxes and other issues, Republicans are already gearing up to take his job in 2006.

Last November's election victories on the lottery and gaming regulation proposals are evidence of Henry's popularity, putting him in good shape for a re-election bid next year, Democrats say.

That hasn't stopped Republicans from lining up as possible opponents.

One of them, former Senate Minority Leader Jim Williamson, disclosed his intentions in a letter to his colleagues before a formal announcement at the Republican State Convention over the weekend.

Some Republicans believe it will take someone with star power to knock off Henry, who was a little-known state senator in 2002 when he captured the Democratic nomination in a strong field of candidates, then upset Steve Largent, former congressman and NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver.

So when J.C. Watts, the ex-congressman and Oklahoma Sooner football great said he has not ruled out a gubernatorial race, a lot of people took notice.

They include Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, most mentioned as a potential GOP candidate for the state's top job. Fallin says she is ``strongly considering the race'' and doing all the things she needs to do to be able to run.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Watts said he was being asked to run by many people, including ``close personal friends and political friends. I have told them I would listen. I've not gone beyond that.''

He said ``I think we can do better'' in the governor's office, ``but I don't necessarily think that I need to be the person leading that charge.''

Others mentioned as GOP gubernatorial possibilities include House Speaker Todd Hiett and Robert J. Sullivan Jr., a Tulsa oil production company executive.

Sullivan, former state energy secretary, said he had ``been thinking about it for a year and a half and I have made up my mind to make the race.'' He said he will be spending the next several months raising money and building an organization.

Sullivan said what will set him apart from other candidates is he is a businessman making his first run for public office.

Watts said his decision would eventually come down to ``what's best for me and my family. I can tell you one thing, after dealing with the Washington traffic for months, anything which you could get a car and a driver out of, I would have to listen to.''

Watts has bought a home since moving to Washington, where he has a successful consulting and lobbying enterprise and is a much sought after speaker around the country.

Making more money and spending more time with his family were among the reasons cited by Watts when he announced he was leaving Congress.

Tom Cole, the longtime political consultant and GOP political activist who replaced Watts as 4th District congressman, said Watts has a history of making decisions late and it may be late this summer or later before he makes an announcement.

``I don't know what he is going to do,'' Cole said. ``I know that he has not made any final decision. I know he has got people trying to persuade him to make the race.''

Cole said Watts has the name recognition and fund-raising ability to get into the governor's race later than others.

``Mary Fallin is in the same category,'' he said. ``Either of them would be heavyweight candidates.''

Cole said upending Henry will not be easy. ``His numbers, on any survey you want to look at, are high. He has had a lot of legislative success, has avoided raising taxes, has had no scandals in his administration and the economy is on the uptick.''

Watts said he is not concerned if a poll shows Henry is the front-runner in a head-to-head race at this point. The ex-quarterback likened it to a football team being behind at halftime.

``All that means is you just have to work harder in the second half,'' said the former congressman.

Fallin said she was looking at the race because ``I don't think that core conservative values are being represented in the governor's office right now.''

``I certainly think I could do the job very effectively,'' she said. ``I've traveled all over the state the last 10 years as lieutenant governor, talking to people in our communities. I believe I have the political experience to lead.''

Williamson, who has served 15 years in the Legislature, wrote his colleagues last week that he thinks Henry is vulnerable and can be beaten by ``a principled, conservative leader with a different vision for progress.''

An attorney and former teacher, Williamson is stressing his record on education, economic development and anti-crime issues.

For his part, Henry said he is busy with state business and is not concerned about his future political competition.

``I'm going to continue to do my job running this state and I'm going to run for re-election,'' he said.