State representative Bill Graves announces candidacy for Congress

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Former state Representative Bill Graves joins the Republican race for Oklahoma's 5th District congressional.<br/><br/>At a Capitol news conference Wednesday, Graves said Congress

Thursday, December 1st 2005, 6:13 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Former state Representative Bill Graves joins the Republican race for Oklahoma's 5th District congressional.

At a Capitol news conference Wednesday, Graves said Congress was spending taxpayers' money like drunken sailors in many areas that are not authorized by the Constitution.

The Oklahoma City resident said his 24-year track record in the Legislature shows he is a conservative. He says he'll fight illegal immigration and the tyranny of the US Supreme Court and some lower federal courts.

The 68-year-old is running for the post Republican Ernest Istook is leaving to run for governor.

Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, state Representative Fred Morgan and Charlie Meadows already are in the GOP primary race.

Oklahoma City Democrat Bert Smith also is running.