Oklahoma treasurer declines race for another term
‘Career politician’ life, partisan politics not for Scott Meacham after term

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT Comments 2
Published: October 31, 2009

State Treasurer Scott Meacham, once considered a 2010 gubernatorial contender, is passing up re-election and any other political office next year.

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Meacham, elected in 2006 to a full term after being appointed state treasurer by Gov. Brad Henry in 2005, announced his decision Friday.

He had ruled out running for governor after two powerful fellow Democrats, Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Lt. Gov. Jari Akins, announced plans early this year to run for governor. Henry, who brought Meacham to the state Capitol as state finance director in 2003 after his election, cannot run again.

Meacham had been considering the attorney general’s position. No Democrat has announced intentions to seek the post.

"There has certainly been a lot of speculation on my future political plans over the last several months,” Meacham said.

"I am completing an eight-year commitment to public service and elected politics,” he said. "Although I very much enjoy public service and the job of being an elected public official, I find I do not enjoy partisan politics and the process of continuously running for office. The toll on my responsibilities to my family and just missing out on so many moments in my children’s lives is too great.”

Meacham, 46, said he accomplished his goals in the treasurer’s office. His future plans are uncertain.

Before coming to the Capitol, Meacham was the chief executive officer and general counsel of the First National Bank and Trust of Elk City. He and his family since moved to Edmond.

"I came in with the idea that I was going to spend eight years and give everything I had, and I did, and I have, and I’ll continue to do that for the next 14 months,” Meacham said. "But at some point in time you’ve got to decide, is this what I want to do with the rest of my life, to be a career politician?”

Henry, a college chum and friend of Meacham’s, selected him to serve on his Cabinet as secretary of revenue and finance. Meacham served as the governor’s chief budget negotiator, which became more challenging as Republicans first took over the House four years ago and then the Senate last year.

"He has been the chief architect of many of this administration’s key fiscal initiatives, and I have never worked with a more dedicated public servant,” Henry said. "Scott left a very successful private career and took a substantial cut in pay to enter public service and provide his expertise to the people of Oklahoma. I will continue to rely on Scott’s advice and assistance through the remainder of my term, and I know he will continue to do a great job for my administration.”

House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Ken Miller, R-Edmond, developed a friendship with Meacham while hashing out budget figures the past two years.

"Treasurer Meacham is a true public servant with the best interests of all Oklahomans at heart,” said Miller, who intends to file campaign account papers next week setting up his bid next year for state treasurer. "Regardless of what his next chapter may be, I am certain he is not finished contributing to Oklahoma.”