TULSA, Okla., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The field of Oklahoma Republicans vying for a soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat in a special election appears to have solidified, political observers said.
Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon will run in a GOP primary against U.S. Rep. James Lankford and Jason Weger, a Norman paramedic.
One pol who opted not to run is Rep. Jim Bridenstein, who represents the Tulsa area in Congress, the Tulsa World reported Wednesday.
Flanked by a number of high-ranking officials, Shannon said he is, "someone who will go to Washington and say 'no' to the spending and the debt."
The Republican primary will take place June 24.
The seat is being vacated by GOP Sen. Tom Coburn, who made a surprise announcement he is retiring from politics at the beginning of the year.
No Democrat has announced plans to run in the general election but would be considered a heavy underdog in reliably conservative Oklahoma.
