Tulsa World Explores Oklahoma’s ‘Red State’ Pride
Oklahoma proud to be ‘red state’
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Henry Bellmon was elected Oklahoma’s first Republican governor in 1962 by, among other things, convincing voters that two-party rule was more efficient and effective than the overwhelming Democratic majorities that had run Oklahoma for most of its first 55 years.
Close to another 55 years have passed, and now the situation is almost exactly reversed. Republicans will hold 112 of 149 seats in the Legislature that begins a week from Monday, plus every elected statewide office and the entire congressional delegation.
And good luck to the Democrat who tries to make the two-party argument.
A Tulsa World analysis of voting behavior and other factors ranks Oklahoma the second-most conservative state in the nationafter Utah. The Legislature convening Feb. 2 will be among the most Republican in the nation.