House Republicans Pick Cargill As Speaker Designate

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Former Republican Floor Leader Lance Cargill has been named the GOP's House speaker designate.<br/> <br/>The announcement followed a closed two-and-one-half hour meeting yesterday

Tuesday, June 13th 2006, 7:14 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Former Republican Floor Leader Lance Cargill has been named the GOP's House speaker designate.

The announcement followed a closed two-and-one-half hour meeting yesterday where challengers questioned the absentee ballot process that helped elect him.

Cargill will succeed House Speaker Todd Hiett of Kellyville.

Hiett is term-limited and can't seek re-election. He was the first Republican House speaker in more than 80 years and is running for lieutenant governor.

Cargill said he was humbled by the support and downplayed divisions that developed between House Republicans during the speaker's race.

Aside from Cargill, Floor Leader Dan Sullivan of Tulsa and Speaker Pro Tem Susan Winchester of Chickasha sought the speaker's job.