The Sooner Poll/News on 6 [Tulsa]; News 9 [Oklahoma City] (3/14-22; 557 OK likely voters; 291 OK likely Republican primary voters; 224 OK likely Democratic primary voters via Interactive Voice Response device) conducted a statewide survey about the present teacher strike and also asked questions about the impending open Governor’s race.  The sample sizes for both the Republican and Democratic fields are too small to be given high reliability ratings, but the results are interesting, nonetheless. 
 
On the Republican side, Oklahoma City Mayor and former congressional candidate Mick Cornett has the slightest of leads over Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, 22-21%, with the other four candidates all posting support numbers below 10%.  On the Democratic side, Attorney General and frequent statewide candidate Drew Edmondson has a 34-13% advantage over former state Sen. Connie Johnson (D-Oklahoma City).  Ms. Johnson served for 33 years in the legislature.  The eventual Republican nominee will be favored in the general election, but education funding, in particular, has become a major issue that could cut against the GOP candidate.  This race merits attention.

--Jim Ellis

When he first ran for Congress in 2012, Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Tulsa), pledged to serve only three terms.  He intended to keep that promise and not seek re-election next year, but now he will apparently be leaving the House early.  During the weekend, President Trump nominated Rep. Bridenstine as the next NASA Administrator. 
 
Upon confirmation to his new position, the Congressman will resign his Tulsa-anchored congressional district meaning yet another special election will be scheduled in advance of the regular midterm vote.  Five Republicans and no Democrats announced their candidacies before the Bridenstine appointment.   Businessman Kevin Hern appears to have the most resources to bring to the campaign.  Former Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris, state Sen. Nathan Dahm, attorney Andy Coleman, and Baptist pastor Danny Stockstill comprise the current candidate field.  We can expect more action now that the seat will be in special election mode.

--Jim Ellis

Three-term Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Westville/ Muskogee) on Wednesday officially eschewed his original campaign promise to serve no more than three terms, and announced that he will seek re-election in 2018.  Mr. Mullin has a safe seat, thus his only political danger could come in a Republican primary.  With two GOP primary opponents already announced, interestingly both named Jackson, it remains to be seen whether either of these individuals, or a yet unknown potential candidate, will be able to mount a significant challenge.  Chances are Mr. Mullin survives the broken term-limit pledge and easily wins re-election.

--Jim Ellis

Four-term Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett (R), who lost a 2006 Republican congressional run-off to current Gov. Mary Fallin (R), says he will officially kick-off his new gubernatorial campaign next week.  Mr. Cornett is expected to be a viable candidate for the party nomination.  The eventual GOP nominee will command the inside track in the general election, but Democrats are planning to actively challenge for the position.  Though Oklahoma has one of the strongest Republican voter histories in the country, Democrat Brad Henry was twice elected Governor as recently as 2002 and 2006.   In addition to Mr. Cornett, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, state Auditor Gary Jones, and former US Attorney Gary Richardson are in the Republican primary race.

--Jim Ellis

In the past two days, three major Democrats have declared their 2018 gubernatorial candidacies.  Former Florida US Rep. Gwen Graham (D-Tallahassee) made her announcement yesterday, and could well be considered the Democratic front-runner.  Ms. Graham is the daughter of Democratic former Governor and US Senator Bob Graham.
 
New Mexico television executive Jeff Apodaca, son of former Gov. Jerry Apodaca, announced that he will enter his state’s open Governor’s race next year.  Jerry Apodaca served from 1975-79, in the days when New Mexico limited its Governors to one term in office.  Jeff Apodaca joins Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-Albuquerque) in the Democratic primary, with others likely to join.  Gov. Susana Martinez (R) cannot run for a third term.
 
Long-time Democratic Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who barely lost the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary, announced that he will try again next year.  Mr. Edmondson is also a former Muskogee County District Attorney.  His is the son of former US Rep. Ed Edmondson, and the nephew of former Oklahoma Gov. J. Howard Edmondson.  His brother, James Edmondson is an Oklahoma Supreme Court justice.  Gov. Mary Fallin (R) is ineligible to seek a third term.

--Jim Ellis