The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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July 29, 2008

Oklahoma: Inhofe cruises to win; Rice also wins

The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe scored an easy primary victory over three little-known opponents Tuesday in his bid for re-election to a third term.

Inhofe, 73, who had 88 percent of the vote, will meet Democrat Andrew Rice, a state senator, in the general election, along with independent Stephen P. Wallace.

Rice defeated perennial candidate Jim Rogers in the Democratic primary.

Incumbent Republican Rep. John Sullivan of the 1st Congressional District and Democrat Dan Boren of the 2nd Congressional District also won their primaries with ease.

Inhofe, a strong supporter of the war in Iraq, went to the Senate in 1994 after Democrat David Boren left to become a university president.

He is considered one of the most conservative members of the Senate and drew the ire of environmentalists for calling man-made global warning a hoax.

Rice is a 35-year-old freshman senator from Oklahoma City who has run television ads saying Inhofe has been in Washington 22 years and “has lost his way.”

Inhofe will be heavily favored in November. He has raised more than $5 million, according to his latest campaign report, while Rice has collected about $1.4 million.

In the general election, Sullivan will face the winner of the Democratic primary between businesswoman Georgianna Oliver and protest leader Mark Manley.

Boren will meet Republican Raymond J. Wickson of Okmulgee in November. Wickson has lost two previous congressional bids.

Republican Reps. Frank Lucas of the 3rd District, Tom Cole of the 4th District and Mary Fallin of the 5th District did not draw primary foes and are expected to be returned to Washington.

Math teacher Bert Smith and Steven L. Perry, an attorney, were in a tight race for the Democratic nomination in the 5th District. Smith has run twice unsuccessfully for the post, while Perry is a political newcomer.

Lucas is running for an eighth term. He faces Democrat Frankie Robbins of Medford and independent Forrest Michael of Cherokee in the general election.

Cole is seeking a fourth term. He will be opposed in November by Democrat Blake Cummings of Pauls Valley and independent David E. Joyce of Pauls Valley.

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