Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud eyes race for Congress

Cloud, first elected to the Corporation Commission in 2002, said today that he has started raising money for a congressional race and will make a formal announcement within weeks.

Cloud said he "can no longer sit back and watch the deterioration of our country being wrought" by President Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "and the other liberals supposedly representing Americans."

Cloud, of Oklahoma City, said, "Although my campaign is only a few days old, I am excited by the tremendous support and encouragement I have received."

State Rep. Mike Thompson and former state Rep. Kevin Calvey have already raised a significant amount of money for the GOP primary in the 5{+t}{+h} District. Dr. Johnny Roy of Edmond, Rick Flanigan of Bethany, and James Lankford of Edmond have also announced their intentions to run for the seat.

Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, is running for governor.

The 5{+t}{+h} District seat, which includes most of Oklahoma County and Seminole and Potawatomie counties, produced a highly competitive Republican race in 2006, when it was also open. Fallin defeated Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and former Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode in the GOP primary that year.