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The race for Sen. Tom Coburn’s seat is looking for contenders, and Rep. James Lankford has announced that he plans to step up to the plate.
Coburn has two years remaining in his current term. He has served as senator since 2004, but announced his early retirement was due to recurring prostate cancer and a seemingly endless bi-partisan battle in Congress. Whoever fills the position will only complete the remaining time before an open election at the end of 2016.
“After a great deal of thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I feel led to continue my Oklahoma common sense and principled approach to attack the deep problems in United States Senate,” Lankford said during a press conference at the Oklahoma History Center, announcing his candidacy.
The Oklahoma Gazette has stated Sen. Coburn as a “no nonsense, frugal politician,” a trait that potential voters seem to value and look for in his future successor.
“I think that, in this time especially, it is essential that we are spending our money in the right way and not simply throwing it away; Coburn was certainly well known for that,” junior Collin Schnakenberg said. “Lankford has some questionable economic ideas. For example, he voted to raise the debt ceiling three times, which has me a little concerned.”
Schnakenberg’s concerns are reciprocated with the Senate Conservatives Fund and the political group Club for Growth. Both groups announced they would not be supporting Lankford in the upcoming Senate election.
Molly Reilly wrote in her Huffington Post article, “James Lankford, GOP Congressman, Running for Tom Coburn’s Senate Seat,” why the Senate Conservatives Fund’s executive director has chosen not to support Lankford.
“We won’t support Congressman Lankford’s bid for the Senate because of his past votes to increase the debt limit, raise taxes and fund Obamacare,” Matt Hoskins, executive director of the Senate Conservatives Fund, said in a statement in the Huffington Post.
According to the Oklahoma Gazette, Club for Growth announced that Lankford only has a 78 percent voting record in connection with its issues, while Coburn had a 98 percent voting record for their issues – which is why they have decided to opt out of supporting Lankford’s candidacy. According to their website, issues the Club for Growth promote include limited government, low taxes and economic freedom
Not all agree with this view of Lankford, however.
“Lankford, to me, seems to be cut from the same cloth as Coburn, and I would like to see him be a fiscal watchdog like Coburn has been,” John Maple, distinguished professor of history, said. “I think he is very much willing to work with democrats and he is concerned about the growth of the federal budget. Lankford has made it clear that he is not a supporter of the Affordable Care Act and would like to see it repealed, but he compromises. I think that’s where I see the mistake of this organization; they have forgotten the essential truth that politics is the art of the possible.”
Economic concerns aside, Lankford is also known for speaking out about controversial conservative social issues. Recently, he argued that the federal judge ruling against Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage was made ignoring the wants and wishes of the people of Oklahoma. This outspokenness seems to resonate well with potential voters.
“I think the conservative leaders from this state need to be outspoken and show what Oklahomans actually believe about the issues,” Schnakenberg said. “Somebody who is outspoken in their traditional conservatism is definitely a good representation of Oklahoma. But of course, there needs to be some caution behind that. You need to make sure you aren’t mean spirited in your conservatism, and I have a lot of respect for both Coburn and Lankford in that area.”
Maple agrees in regards to Lankford’s approach to speaking up about his beliefs.
“I think most people would agree that Oklahoma is conservative,” Maple said. “Lankford is an ordained Baptist minister, he knows his scriptures and he is devout in his Christianity. But with that, he is not judgmental and I haven’t seen him as being really aggressive or really obnoxious when speaking out on these issues. He handles the issues with tact.”
Senior Somer Helms agreed with Schnakenberg and Maple’s viewpoint.
“Taking a conservative stance when it comes to certain issues could be a slippery slope,” Helms said. “Making sure you address these issues respectfully and without being aggressive is a good trait to have for a conservative politician. I think Lankford could be a good choice to represent Oklahoma beliefs.”
Being one of the first to confirm his bid for the Senate seat, potential voters seem to have high hopes for Lankford.
“I think Lankford has a lot of potential for a possible senator,” Schnakenberg said. “He isn’t afraid to step up to the plate and he could be a good choice for Oklahoma.”
Lankford confirms this an interview with the Associated Press, where he said he hoped to represent the “conservative solutions that most Americans believe in.”
“We’re facing serious issues,” Lankford said to the Associated Press. “We can either complain about it or try to step in and solve it.”
Helms saw positive traits in a candidate such as Lankford.
“Lankford being so adamant to step up to the plate and solve the issues he sees need change is something that will make him a good candidate for the Senate seat,” Helms said.
Lankford, along with other candidates, will file for the Senate seat April 9-11 and the primary elections will be June 24.
The special election will be held Nov. 4.
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