Oklahoma Governor: J.C. Getting Close to Giving the O.K. in OK

Former Congressman J.C. Watts is getting close to making a decision about whether to enter the Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial race, and usually reliable sources say that he is now much more likely than not to jump into the contest.

Watts, who served four terms in the U.S. House before deciding not to seek reelection in 2002, immediately would be a major contender for the nomination, along with Rep. Mary Fallin. The Democratic nomination is likely to boil down to a fight between Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson. A competitive general election is expected, though the GOP nominee should have a slight advantage given the state’s partisan preferences.