CARGILL REELECTED SPEAKER
UPDATED 1:37, 6:35 PM ~ As expected (reported here Monday), Oklahoma House Republican caucus members Tuesday elected Lance Cargill as Speaker-designate for the 2009-10 session, giving Cargill a second term in the House’s top post.
“I’m grateful to my fellow caucus members for their support, and I thank them for this vote of confidence as we move forward with important conservative reforms,” said Cargill, R-Harrah, who currently serves as Speaker. “I also want to say how much I respect Representative John Wright. He's a valuable member, and as a unified caucus we're poised for real progress this coming year. I see tremendous opportunities in the areas of state fiscal accountability, state government modernization, and performance pay for teachers.”
Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, joined Cargill as a candidate in seeking the Speaker-designate position. Wright's attempt to unseat Cargill reportedly had support from a small group of GOP members, but not enough to forestall the vote, or elect Wright.
"I congratulate Speaker Cargill on his election by the caucus to continue to serve the House of Representatives as Speaker, and I dedicate to working with him to continue to advance good policies for the state of Oklahoma," said Wright, who serves as chairman of the caucus. One member told TMRO that some other members were "pushed into" Cargill's camp by a KWTV-Channel 9 report on GOP fundraising that aired last night. The member said the report was "flawed" and was, in his words, "a clear hatchet job on Cargill, and thus, I guess, on all of us." The station's report can be viewed at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1126532071?bclid=1111467132&bctid=1243684707
Cargill’s first term as Speaker will end after the upcoming 2008 session. The Harrah native has served in the House since 2000, representing large portions of eastern Oklahoma County. Provided Republicans retain their majority in the House in the 2008 election cycle, Tuesday’s caucus vote means that Cargill will serve as Speaker for another two years in 2009 and 2010.
“Today’s vote is a victory for the entire caucus, and puts us in a strong, unified position,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell. “By maintaining our current Speaker, we’re giving the House Republican majority the ability to press for needed conservative reforms in the upcoming session and beyond.”
House Majority Leader Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, also praised Tuesday’s vote saying, “By designating Lance Cargill for a second term as Speaker, the House Republican majority is well-prepared for the upcoming legislative session, and we have real momentum.” In response to the Republican Caucus selecting Cargill to be Speaker, Rep. Chuck Hoskin, House Democratic Caucus Chair stated, "I'm very disappointed the Republicans decided to nominate a candidate who is currently under investigation for ethics violations. This shows that the members that voted for Cargill have no regard for what law enforcement entities might conclude in their review of campaign finance violations over the past two cycles."
“I’m grateful to my fellow caucus members for their support, and I thank them for this vote of confidence as we move forward with important conservative reforms,” said Cargill, R-Harrah, who currently serves as Speaker. “I also want to say how much I respect Representative John Wright. He's a valuable member, and as a unified caucus we're poised for real progress this coming year. I see tremendous opportunities in the areas of state fiscal accountability, state government modernization, and performance pay for teachers.”
Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, joined Cargill as a candidate in seeking the Speaker-designate position. Wright's attempt to unseat Cargill reportedly had support from a small group of GOP members, but not enough to forestall the vote, or elect Wright.
"I congratulate Speaker Cargill on his election by the caucus to continue to serve the House of Representatives as Speaker, and I dedicate to working with him to continue to advance good policies for the state of Oklahoma," said Wright, who serves as chairman of the caucus. One member told TMRO that some other members were "pushed into" Cargill's camp by a KWTV-Channel 9 report on GOP fundraising that aired last night. The member said the report was "flawed" and was, in his words, "a clear hatchet job on Cargill, and thus, I guess, on all of us." The station's report can be viewed at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1126532071?bclid=1111467132&bctid=1243684707
Cargill’s first term as Speaker will end after the upcoming 2008 session. The Harrah native has served in the House since 2000, representing large portions of eastern Oklahoma County. Provided Republicans retain their majority in the House in the 2008 election cycle, Tuesday’s caucus vote means that Cargill will serve as Speaker for another two years in 2009 and 2010.
“Today’s vote is a victory for the entire caucus, and puts us in a strong, unified position,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell. “By maintaining our current Speaker, we’re giving the House Republican majority the ability to press for needed conservative reforms in the upcoming session and beyond.”
House Majority Leader Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, also praised Tuesday’s vote saying, “By designating Lance Cargill for a second term as Speaker, the House Republican majority is well-prepared for the upcoming legislative session, and we have real momentum.” In response to the Republican Caucus selecting Cargill to be Speaker, Rep. Chuck Hoskin, House Democratic Caucus Chair stated, "I'm very disappointed the Republicans decided to nominate a candidate who is currently under investigation for ethics violations. This shows that the members that voted for Cargill have no regard for what law enforcement entities might conclude in their review of campaign finance violations over the past two cycles."
Labels: Chuck Hoskin, Lance Cargill
posted by Mike McCarville @ 11:30 AM
<< Home