Timing Is Critical To Those Waiting To Succeed Bridenstine In Special Election
Bridenstine nomination to head NASA leaves questions unanswered for potential successors
By Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World
Friday night’s news that 1st District Congressman Jim Bridenstine was indeed being nominated to head the National Aeronautics and Space Administration did not bring his potential successors as much clarity as one might think.
The five Republicans jostling to succeed Bridenstine still do not know when, or even if, there will be a special election to replace him.
State law calls for special elections only when vacancies occur in years in which a regular election for the position in question would not otherwise be held.
In this case, Bridenstine would have to leave office before the end of 2017 for a special election to be called. Otherwise, his replacement will be chosen in the regular 2018 election cycle — which could leave the 1st District without a representative for the better part of a year.