By Constitution Staff

When the Legislature convenes in February, Republicans will begin an historic session. For the first time in state history, the GOP will control both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature. In the November General Election, Republicans gained a majority in the state Senate for the first time since statehood, and added to their majority in the Oklahoma House.

The state Senate now has 26 Republicans and 22 Democrats. In 2004, Republicans took over the state House for the first time in more than 80 years. In the 2008 elections, Oklahoma House Republicans picked up four additional seats, giving them a 61 to 40 majority in the 101-member state House of Representatives.

Democratic President-elect Barack Obama is credited with helping the GOP in the election. Oklahoma had the best showing for the Republican Presidential ticket (65%) than any other state. The resulting coattails helped Republicans across the state.

House races in 58 districts were decided in the general election, with Republicans winning 42 seats and Democrats 16. The other 43 seats were previously decided during the filing or in the primary elections, with Democrats holding on to 24 seats and Republicans the other 19.

Senator Glenn Coffee (R-Oklahoma City), the new Senate President Pro Tempore, notes that there were only 15 Republicans in the 48 member Senate when he was elected just 10 years ago. Republicans fell short of taking control of the state Senate two years ago, pulling up even with Democrats resulting in shared control of that body. In the fall election, the GOP took over the seat of past President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan of Stillwater who was term-limited. Former OSU president Jim Halligan of Stillwater won Morgan's open seat. Republican Dan Newberry of Tulsa defeated Democrat Nancy Riley of Tulsa, the only sitting senator to lose reelection. Riley, who switched parties after failing to win the GOP nomination for Lt. Governor in 2006, prevented Republicans from having a majority following the 2006 elections.

House Speaker Chris Benge (R-Tulsa), who will be serving his last two-year term because of legislative term limits, notes that the GOP has made gains the last several elections.

In the recent election, state Rep. Scott BigHorse (D-Pawhuska) was the only incumbent representative to lose. He was defeated by Republican Eddie Fields of Wynon who lost to BigHorse two years ago. Republicans also picked up four seats that were held by Democrats who could not seek re-election due to term limits. Republicans took over the seats occupied by James Covey of Custer City, David Braddock of Altus, Al Lindley of Oklahoma City and Ray McCarter of Marlow. The GOP gave up one seat with Democrat Cory Williams succeeding state Rep. Terry Ingmire (R-Stillwater) who could not seek re-election because of term limits.

It was not only a good year for the Oklahoma GOP in legislative races, they also bucked the national trend and had success in other areas. Republicans suffered no loses in Oklahoma's congressional delegation, returning incumbent U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and its four incumbent members of the U.S. House. Incumbent Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud won reelection and Republican Dana Murphy defeated Democrat Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth. Roth, who was appointed to the post last year by Gov. Brad Henry, had national notoriety as the state's only openly homosexual statewide officeholder. Republicans also saw gains in numerous county offices.

Senator Coffee, who held the title of Co President Pro Tempore during the power sharing arrangement the last two years, now takes the top leadership post. And, for the first time in history, a Republican, Sen. Todd Lamb (R-Edmond), will serve as Majority Floor Leader. Meanwhile, the Democrats, in their new minority role, named Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) as Minority Floor Leader. Laster, who was first elected to the State Senate in 2003 to complete the remainder of Gov. Brad Henry's term, was Majority Floor Leader for the last two years.

Following their takeover of the Oklahoma House in 2004, Republicans were able to advance a number of initiatives previously blocked by the Democrat majority, only to see those issues stall in the Senate. As a result, the upper chamber of the Legislature became known as "the place where good bills go to die." While conservatives hope to see those initiatives move forward now that Republicans are in full control of the Legislature, they could still be thwarted by the veto pen of the Democrat governor.

"Republicans have sat in the background in forming public policy for too many years now," said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, "but thanks to the voters of our state, we will now have a seat at the head of the table." He continued, "We believe the voters responded to the better ideas we offered in campaigns across the state, and we will do all we can in cooperation with the Governor and the House to deliver a new brand of government in Oklahoma."

The 2009 legislative session begins Monday, February 2, and runs through the last Friday in May.