Potential Bridenstine Challenger Wasn’t Able To Pull The Trigger On 2014
Wayne Greene: The story behind U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine’s unopposed victory in the 1st District and one man who didn’t run, but almost did
BY WAYNE GREENE World Editorial Pages Editor
A lot of people were surprised when no one challenged freshman 1st District Rep. Jim Bridenstine this year.
Tulsa oilman Tom Atkinson might be one of the most surprised, because at one point he thought he’d be making the challenge.
Atkinson, a successful oil man and son-in-law of former U.S. Sen. Dewey Bartlett, was ready to go.
He ran a poll, hired a consultant and was thinking about how much money he would need (from his own bank account). The press release was written and ready to hand out.
Up until the final hours of filing, Atkinson continued mulling the idea, but ultimately he blinked for professional and personal reasons. More about that later.
The poll: Atkinson thought Bridenstine was vulnerable.