Istook Endorses Coburn

The Associated Press (ChannelOklahoma.com) ^ | July 20, 2004 | The Associated Press

[JohnnyZ]

Istook Endorses Coburn Humphreys Campaign Says Endorsement Not Surprising

POSTED: 11:04 pm CDT July 20, 2004 UPDATED: 11:12 pm CDT July 20, 2004

OKLAHOMA CITY -- U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., said Tuesday that he is endorsing former Congressman Tom Coburn in the GOP race for the U.S. Senate.

Istook urged Oklahoma Republicans to avoid a runoff by uniting behind the Muskogee physician.

The endorsement came just a week before the July 27 primary.

Coburn, former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys and Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony are battling for the top spot on the Republican side. U.S. Rep. Brad Carson is considered the frontrunner among the Democrats.

A spokesman for Humphreys said it comes as no surprise that Istook would endorse Coburn, who is his former colleague in the U.S. House.

[JohnnyZ]

Four days old, but I didn't see it posted. Not a surprising development, but hopefully it helps push Coburn over the 50% mark.

[JohnnyZ]

There is a video as well that has an interview with Istook ping

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Not a surprising development, but hopefully it helps push Coburn over the 50% mark."

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This could really help Coburn in OKC, where Humphries will need to rack up huge margins in order to force a run-off. Things are looking really good in Oklahoma, and I have to assume that Brad Carson is kicking himself for having given up his House seat for a Senate race that won't be as winnable as he first thought it would be.