Senate Republicans Fill Leadership Posts

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Republicans in the Oklahoma State Senate have selected their leadership team for the 2007-08 legislative sessions, Co-President Pro Tempore designate Glenn Coffee announced Wednesday.

Coffee, who was elected co-president pro tempore designate by his caucus on Tuesday, named Senator Owen Laughlin of Woodward to serve as Republican co-floor leader.

Coffee also announced that Senator James A. Williamson of Tulsa will serve on the Senate GOP’s leadership team as Republican leader emeritus.

On Wednesday, the Senate Republican caucus elected the following senators to leadership positions:

Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso as assistant co-floor leader
Senator Mike Mazzei of Tulsa as assistant co-floor leader
Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson of Moore as whip
Senator Cliff Branan of Oklahoma City as whip
Senator Clark Jolley of Edmond as whip
Senator Todd Lamb of Oklahoma City/Edmond as caucus chair.

“This talented team will do a great job working for the people of Oklahoma in the State Senate. It is an honor to serve with this fine group of leaders,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Coffee said committee co-chairs and membership will be selected at a later date, and will be announced jointly with Senate Democrats.

Republicans gained two seats in the 2006 elections, which led to a historic 24 to 24 tie in the Oklahoma State Senate. Earlier this week, Republicans and Democrats announced a power-sharing agreement.

REPUBLICANS MAKE HISTORY IN OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE

REPUBLICANS MAKE HISTORY IN OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE

Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Republicans gained at least two State Senate seats Tuesday, with a third Democrat seat still in play, making history by winning at least a tie with Democrats in the Oklahoma State Senate for the first time ever.

"Today the people of Oklahoma said they are tired of the old guard leadership in the State Senate. Voters elected a record number of Republicans to the State Senate because they want a new direction in the Senate for the new Oklahoma century," said Senate Republican leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

State Rep. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, won Senate District 12 for the GOP, an open seat held by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Ted Fisher. Republican Anthony Sykes of Moore defeated incumbent Democrat State Sen. Daisy Lawler of Comanche in Senate District 24. Another open Democrat seat, Senate District 26 in western Oklahoma, remains too close to call.

Coffee said the Republican victories in key Senate races show that Oklahoma voters are ready for change. The top issues in GOP campaigns were tax reform, job creation, immigration reform, education, lawsuit reform, and traditional values.

"Voters want the Oklahoma Senate to start being part of the solution in moving Oklahoma forward. Our candidates ran excellent campaigns and were very successful in running on a positive agenda of change for the State of Oklahoma," Coffee said.

For the state's first 100 years, the State Senate was controlled by Democrats. For the time ever, Democrats will not have a Senate majority in the 2007 Legislature -- and Republicans will have a clear advantage to win the majority in 2008.

Democrats Lose Majority Party Status - Republicans gain two seats to capture half of Senate for first time in history

For the first time in state history, the Democrats have not attained a majority of Senate seats. The Republicans captured two seats to tie the Senate 24-24.