By ANDREW W. GRIFFIN
Oklahoma Watchdog, editor
Posted: July 29, 2010
andrew@oklahomawatchdog.org
OKLAHOMA CITY — Many political observers, including this reporter, have been wondering when and if Sen. Randy Brogdon will endorse fellow Republican and gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin leading up to this fall’s general election.
Mike McCarville at The McCarville Report Online is wondering the same thing, his latest post headlined: “Henry endorses Askins, as did Edmondson; but where is Randy Brogdon’s support for Mary Fallin?”
Indeed. A good question.
Drew Edmondson graciously and quickly endorsed Jari Askins as the Democrat candidate for governor in the hours after Tuesday night’s results came in. And this, after the numbers between Askins and Edmondson were very, very close.
Brogdon, the Owasso Republican, was beaten pretty handily by Fallin and that was expected according to numerous pre-primary polls. He had to know this is the way it would turn out. Yet, when The Oklahoman interviewed Brogdon after Fallin had been declared the victor, Brogdon did not offer his endorsement. He said he would think about it.
This is surprising and it should be of concern to the Republicans. Is Brogdon taking his ball and going home in a huff? He has still not offered his endorsement. Will fellow Brogdon supporters sit this one out, giving the Democrats a stronger shot at leading the agenda?
Clearly, the Democrats in Oklahoma are coming together. And Askins is a solid and likable candidate. She did well in areas that Edmondson was expected to take, like in northeastern Oklahoma. This is an historic occasion having two women running for governor in a state that has never elected a woman as governor.
