Former lieutenant governor won't run for Congress

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Jack Mildren, former Democratic lieutenant governor, said Thursday he has decided not to run for the 5th Congressional District seat.<br/><br/>Mildren had been considering a run for

Thursday, January 19th 2006, 2:40 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Jack Mildren, former Democratic lieutenant governor, said Thursday he has decided not to run for the 5th Congressional District seat.

Mildren had been considering a run for the post being vacated by Republican Ernest Istook, who is running for governor.

He said he seriously considered a congressional bid and believed it was a winnable race, "but for me it is just not the right time."

Mildren, former star quarterback for the University of Oklahoma, is vice president of the Arvest Bank Group of Oklahoma and does radio and television sports commentary.

Declared candidates in the 5th District for the GOP nomination include Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode and state Rep. Fred Morgan. Oklahoma County Court Clerk Patricia Presley is seeking the Democratic nomination. Other possible Democratic candidates include Oklahoma City businessman Jim Meyer and Bert Smith, who was defeated by Istook in 2004.