Tom Coburn

Coburn Running Again In 2010

Eric Kleefeld | June 1, 2009, 4:24PM

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), a champion of the Christian Right who had been the subject of some speculation that he might not run for a second term in 2010, has now announced that he is in fact running.

Coburn added that if re-elected, he will stick by the pledge from his 2004 campaign to not serve more than two terms. And for the record, he previously honored a term-limits pledge back in 2000, when he retired from his House seat after six years.

Coburn had been publicly undecided about whether to make the race, and wasn't actively raising money. But in all truth, he didn't need to raise money -- he's a popular conservative from a deep-Republican state, and insofar as he'll need some money he will be able to get it easily. This might have been a competitive race as an open seat, but as it is now Coburn is in all likelihood a safe bet for re-election.

OK-SEN

Poll: Oklahoma Senate Race Could Be Close If Coburn Retires

Eric Kleefeld | May 19, 2009, 12:52PM

A new poll of Oklahoma from Public Policy Polling (D) suggests that the 2010 Senate race in this deep-red state could potentially be a competitive one -- that is, if GOP Sen. Tom Coburn retires.

Coburn easily beats two prominent Democrats, leading popular Gov. Brad Henry by 52%-40% and Rep. Dan Boren by 53%-36%. But if Coburn is out, the new match-ups are close calls. Former GOP Rep. J.C. Watts edges Henry 45%-44% and leads Boren 46%-41%, while Rep. Tom Cole edges Henry 44%-43% and just barely leads Boren 42%-40%. The margin of error is ±3.7%.

Coburn has said he's genuinely undecided about whether he'll run, and he hasn't done much fundraising. We'll see what happens there.

That said, my own opinion is people shouldn't get their hopes up too much. This was John McCain's single best state last year, giving him a 66%-34% win over Barack Obama. And the 2004 open-seat Senate race saw a lot of close polls between Coburn and Dem Congressman Brad Carson, only to have Coburn win by 53%-41%.