Inhofe to face 3 challengers; Cloud, Boren seeking re-election

By Michael McNutt

Published: June 2, 2008

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe filed for his third full term and the first candidates for Oklahoma Corporation Commission made their races official today.

Inhofe, R-Tulsa, did not show up at the state Capitol to file. He was on his way to Washington to debate a Democratic-backed bill that is intended to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Inhofe, 73, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994 to complete the unexpired term of David Boren who resigned to become president of the University of Oklahoma. Inhofe was re-elected in 1996 and in 2002.

The Rev. Dennis Lopez, 48, of Thackerville and Evelyn Rogers, 55, of Tulsa, earlier filed as Republicans. State Sen. Andrew Rice, 35, D-Oklahoma City, also filed for Inhofe's seat.

State Rep. Rob Johnson, 34, R-Kingfisher, filed for a two-year term on the state Corporation Commission. Jim Roth, a former Oklahoma County commissioner, was appointed last year by Gov. Brad Henry to fill the term that had been held by Denise Bode. Roth, a Democrat, has said he will seek election to the post.

Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud, 47, filed for a second six-year term. Cloud, a Republican from Oklahoma City, said he does not plan to seek a third term if he's re-elected.

Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, also filed for re-election to his 2nd District Congressional seat. Boren, 34, was first elected in 2004.

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