GOP rally to include speeches, selection of chairman

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma Republicans are gearing up for the 2006 elections with a rally in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday and the selection of a new state chairman. <br/><br/>Candidates for the

Saturday, April 22nd 2006, 12:15 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma Republicans are gearing up for the 2006 elections with a rally in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday and the selection of a new state chairman.

Candidates for the $50,000 GOP post are Tom Daxon, a longtime GOP official; term-limited state Rep. Doug Collins of Norman and former state Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City.

About 400 members of the party's state committee are expected to attend the event at the Cox Convention Center. Choosing the party of chairman is first on the agenda.

Next will be a rally featuring speeches by candidates for Congress, governor and other statewide offices. Legislative candidates are on tap to talk in the afternoon session.

Daxon was considered the early front-runner in the race for the party chairmanship, but officials said there were signs the other two candidates had made up some ground.

The winner will replace Gary Jones of Cache, who served for more than three years and was at the helm in 2004, when the GOP took over the state House for the first time in eight decades and Tom Coburn won a bruising contest with Democrat Brad Carson to enable Republicans to keep control of both of Oklahoma's U.S. Senate seats.

Jones said earlier he was leaving to spend more time with his family, saying frequently driving 120 miles to his hometown had taken a toll.

He was a candidate for auditor and inspector last year, losing to Democrat Jeff McMahan.

Jones said he has been thinking about running for the post again and will have an announcement at Saturday's rally.

This year, the big races will be for governor, 5th District Congress, lieutenant governor and control of the Oklahoma Senate.

U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, Tulsa businessman Robert Sullivan and state Sen. James Williamson are vying for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

The winner is expected to have an uphill struggle against Democratic incumbent Brad Henry, a surprise winner four years ago over former Congressman Steve Largent.

Republicans seeking to succeed Istook are Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode and state Reps. Kevin Calvey and Fred Morgan.