Fallin Draws Republican Opponent

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A conservative Republican state senator who rode a tea party wave four years ago that nearly landed him in a primary runoff with Governor Mary Fallin will face some added challenges in 2014.

Randy Brogdon announced his candidacy through social media on Christmas Day, setting up a potential rematch against Fallin, who won 55 percent of the vote over Brogdon and two lesser-known candidates in the 2010 GOP primary. But that was at the height of tea party enthusiasm in Oklahoma, when rallies would draw thousands of energized conservative voters to the Capitol, where Brogdon delivered his anti-government message.

While some grassroots conservatives say they’re excited about Brogdon’s candidacy, others question his timing for taking on a well-liked Republican incumbent.