| Oklahoma's first lady announces congressional bid 04/07/2001 Associated Press TULSA, Okla. – Oklahoma first lady Cathy Keating pledged to take bedrock Republican principles to Congress in announcing today that she will run for the 1st Congressional District seat.
Mrs. Keating said her experience as first lady and as a former business owner, community volunteer, wife and mother qualified her for the job.
"Make no mistake – I am a Republican and a compassionate, but committed, conservative," she said.
Mrs. Keating said she favored a substantial tax cut, strong defense, lean federal bureaucracy and traditional family values.
Mrs. Keating will seek the post now held by fellow Republican Rep. Steve Largent.
Largent, whose seat is up for re-election in November 2002, is considering resigning early to focus on a gubernatorial bid. He hasn't formally declared his candidacy for the 2002 governor's race but said he plans to run.
Gov. Frank Keating said that if Largent resigns he will step aside and have Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin set the date for a special election.
In an earlier interview with The Associated Press, Mrs. Keating said she is at a turning point now that her three children are grown and her husband's second term as governor is nearing a close.
Other Republicans considering the race include former City Councilor Dewey Bartlett Jr., former University of Tulsa football coach Dave Rader, state Rep. John Sullivan, R-Tulsa, and former Cherokee Nation chief Ross Swimmer. Sen. Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, said he will soon have an announcement on steps he will take toward a possible candidacy.
Possible Democratic candidates include Tulsa attorney and current school board member Doug Dodd and former Tulsa County Democratic Chairman Tim Gilpin.
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