Cargill Cites Return Of GOP House Majority

House Speaker-designate Lance Cargill of Harrah noted Wednesday that, for the first time in state history, voters returned a Republican majority to power in the state House of Representatives, with one seat still involved in a recount after Tuesday's voting.

Cargill said he looks forward to working with Governor Brad Henry to continue to achieve progress and solutions for the state.

“The voters of Oklahoma have endorsed our hard work over the past two years of Republican control,” said Cargill. “The House GOP has delivered for Oklahoma’s working families. Now it’s time to continue to keep our promises and move Oklahoma forward. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be sharing our goals for the upcoming legislative session to reward families and small business owners, foster a first-class educational system and require more accountability from state government.”

In Ada-based House District 25, a recount for the seat there could maintain the GOP’s majority with no losses -- there’s only a two-vote margin between Republican Todd Thompson and his Democrat opponent.

When compared to other state legislatures, Cargill said, Tuesday’s GOP victory in the Oklahoma House is striking: Democrats flipped control of state Houses in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Democrats control both chambers in 21 states, while Republicans control 15 and 9 were split between the two parties.

“There’s no question Democrats had the wind at their backs this election cycle,” said Cargill. “Republicans had twice as many seats to defend, with many freshman members. Yet despite all of their advantages this year, the Democrats failed to make significant gains in the state Legislature, and they no longer have a majority in the state Senate for the first time in Oklahoma’s history. Oklahoma voters have embraced our positive vision for the future. The voters have seen that the Republican majority in the House offers real solutions that matter to their lives as Oklahomans.”

Cargill said that the Republican track record of historic tax relief, repeal of the state’s unfair death tax, historic pro-life reforms, record investments in the state’s roads and bridges, record teacher pay increases and conservative health care reforms led to Republican victories.

Highlights of Republican victories on Tuesday cited by Cargill:

Republican George Faught, a Muskogee businessman, won the seat in House District 14 with 54 percent of the vote, a seat which had been under Democrat control.

Republican Dennis Johnson won the seat in House District with 53 percent of the vote, another seat previously held by Democrats.

In District 62, Republican T.W. Shannon made state history to become only the second black Republican elected to the Legislature -- winning a previous Democrat-held seat with 58 percent of the vote.

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