Kern, Terrill Draw Opponents; Cargill Guessing Game Continues

Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, whose comments about homosexuals earlier this year touched off a firestorm, today drew an opponent in Ron Marlett, a Democrat from Warr Acres. He had said he thought the past several years about seeking the House seat that covers western Oklahoma City, but Kern's comments — which included her calling homosexuality the biggest threat facing America — gave him the impetus to seek the post.

Former House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, who stepped down from the speaker's position earlier this year because of personal tax problems, has said he would seek re-election. He hasn't filed so far. However, he's picked up a Democratic opponent, Dianne Hunter of Edmond. Hunter's husband, Dr. David Hunter, was the Democratic nominee in 2006 for the 5th Congressional District seat.

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the author of the state's immigration law, picked up an opponent today. Troy Green, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, said he filed against Terrill "because it needs to be done."

Share |

Social Worker Wants To Oppose Kern

Oklahoma City Democrat Ron Marlett, a Democrat, said today he will seek his party's nomination to oppose Republican Rep. Sally Kern this fall.

Marlett, 59, made his announcement during a news conference held by the Oklahoma Democratic Party at the Capitol.

Kern won the District 84 seat in 2004 by defeating a Democrat challenger with 67.65 percent of the vote. She ran unopposed in 2006.

Marlett, a social worker at Community Pathways Unlimited, said he had thought about running for the House seat the past couple years, but Kern's recent controversial comments about homosexuals helped him decide to seek the post now.

"I've just been concerned for some time about the damage done by extremes," Marlett said.

Marlett said he disagreed with Kern's views, "but I firmly believe that people have the right to express what they think. I do not believe people have the right to incite violence with their free speech. There are limits to it."

Kern enters the election year with $8,622 in cash on hand, a transfer from her 2006 campaign fund to her 2008 campaign fund, Ethics Commission records show.

Share |