2010 Oklahoma gubernatorial elections: Askins says she's gaining and is 'in good shape'

Askins, behind in all polls since she and Fallin won their political parties' nominations in late July, said her campaign's polling indicates the gap has been reduced to single digits.

Askins, the state's lieutenant governor who also is a former legislator and judge, trailed in polls in the days leading up to the July 27 Democratic primary but was able to squeeze out a victory over Attorney General Drew Edmondson. In that race, her polling began to show she was gaining on Edmondson about 10 days before the primary election, she said.

With voters going to the polls Nov. 2, the governor's race will be much closer than polls that showed her 15 points behind two weeks ago, Askins said.

"That's not what we see; it's close," Askins said. "It's in single digits. We're in good shape."

Alex Weintz, communications director for Fallin's campaign, said the campaign's polling shows Fallin with a double-digit lead.

"We're working to maintain and widen that lead going into the election," he said. "If they had a poll showing that it was truly a competitive race, they would release it."

Both made the comments after Askins and Fallin took part in a forum sponsored by The State Chamber at Cox Convention Center. About 600 people attended.

The two will square off again in a debate Thursday night at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa.

During the forum, Fallin and Askins didn't express stark differences. Both said they oppose State Question 744, a measure on the Nov. 2 ballot that if passed would require Oklahoma to boost education funding to a regional average.

Fallin and Askins said they support the continuation and funding of the state's Opportunity Fund, which allows the governor to provide a financial incentive to encourage businesses to move to Oklahoma, and the Economic Development Generating Excellence Fund, which encourages economic growth through research and innovation and high-paying jobs.

They both support the establishment of a health care indemnity fund, which would pay jury awards involving noneconomic awards, or pain and suffering, above a $400,000 cap.