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Okla. GOP incumbents facing primary challengers

Posted: 2:16 PM May 7, 2012
Reporter: By: SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Now that the Republican Party in Oklahoma has completed its sweep of statewide offices and extended its majorities in the House and Senate, the GOP is beginning to experience a few growing pains.

In a state essentially controlled by Democrats since statehood, Republicans once had to search far and wide for challengers in state legislative races.

The party is now facing a relatively new phenomenon of GOP incumbents facing challenges from members of their own party, challengers who are often right-wing opponents energized by tea party enthusiasm.

Three of Oklahoma's four Republican congressmen are facing primary challenges, as are about one-fourth of the incumbent Republican state senators who are running for re-election. More than a dozen Republican House members face a primary opponent in Oklahoma's June 26 primary.

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