SPR: Fallin 'Likely' Next Governor

By Hastings Wyman/Southern Political Report ~ Oklahoma: Fallin (R) holding the lead

Either Lt. Gov. Jari Askins (D) or US Rep. Mary Fallin (R), who are battling to succeed term-limited Gov. Brad Henry (D), will make history November 2, becoming the Sooner State’s first woman governor.

“Fallin is still out front,” says University of Oklahoma political scientist Keith Gaddie, “but it’s heated up a bit.”

A Republican Governors Association TV spot linked Askins to Obama because of a state legislative vote cast by Askins that allowed undocumented high school students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges.

Askins replied promptly – and effectively.

On the money front, as of August 9, Fallin had $805,000 to Askins’ $353,000. Askins spent $775,000 of her own money in the primary and may put more in for the General.

An August 26 Rasmussen poll showed Fallin 52%, Askins 37%. While the GOP is favored, “The Democrats are playing a surprisingly strong hand,” says Gaddie. Likely Republican.

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