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State's Senate election closely watched on national level Originally published in the Tulsa World By AP Wire Service Oklahoma has been trending toward the Republican party for three decades. In 2004, the GOP gained control of the Oklahoma House for the first time since the 1920s and are now hoping to take over the Oklahoma Senate. However, across the country, historic trends give Democrats the upper hand this year, Tim Storey, legislative political expert with the National Council of State Legislatures, said. With one exception, the party out of power in a non-presidential election year has picked up legislative seats nationwide. The exception came in 2002 after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack the year before. Democrats hold a 26-22 advantage in the Oklahoma Senate, but Republicans remain hopeful of gaining the majority because all seven term-limited senators are Democrats. Storey, in a national telephone press conference from Nashville, Tenn., said the trend nationwide favors Democrats. Of the country's 7,382 state legislative posts, 83 percent are up for grabs this year. Currently, Republicans control two more chambers than Democrats, but Democrats hold a 21-seat advantage across the nation and Storey thinks Democrats may be able to extend that advantage this year. Other key legislative contests listed by the NCSL include the Colorado House and Senate, Indiana House, Maine House and Senate, Minnesota House, Montana House and North Carolina House. Storey said a shift of three or fewer seats in 17 Senates could alter the balance of power, as would a change of five seats at a dozen House chambers. |
| Oklahoma State Senate Democrats |