Keating Out, Won’t Run For Senate Race
Former Gov. Frank Keating says he won’t run for U.S. Senate
By Chris Casteel
Former Gov. Frank Keating on Monday ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee.
U.S. Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, is running for Coburn’s seat, and Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon is expected to enter the race this week.
Keating, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association in Washington, released the following statement:
“Several recent news articles have included me in a list of possible contenders to fill the seat of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who recently announced he would be resigning before his term expires in 2016. While I have considered and discussed this possibility with family and supporters, I have concluded that the most important way I can contribute to policy debates in Washington is by continuing my service to ABA and fighting for banks of all sizes. Banks are the economic backbone of communities across the country, and there’s more work to be done to enable banks and their communities to thrive.
“As for my beloved home state, Oklahoma needs a senator in Washington whose values, experience and credentials will serve its residents effectively. It is essential that the parties come together to resolve serious national issues such as immigration and runaway government spending.