State House Democratic caucus chairman resigns post
Next focus: Redistricting reform
Paper: Oklahoman, The ( Oklahoma City, OK)
Date: August 8, 2007
The House Democratic caucus chairman has resigned his post, giving him more time to focus his attention to redistricting reform, he said Tuesday.
Rep. Ryan McMullen, D-Burns Flat, has served as the House party chairman for the last two years, under then-House Minority leader Jari Askins - now the lieutenant governor - and the current leader, Rep. Danny Morgan.
The chairman job requires full-time attention, said McMullen, and he hopes to spend more time pushing a nonpartisan redistricting reform plan he proposed earlier this year. That bill, which would have set up an independent panel to redraw legislative district lines after the 2010 census, was not considered in the House this year.
McMullen said he will continue to push for the change, including an option that would allow voters to decide on the issue should it fail to gain legislative approval.
The position
Among House Democrats caucus chairman runs the political and campaign operations for the party.
What's next
House Minority Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, said he plans to hold an election to fill the position after Labor Day. So far, only one candidate has declared: Rep. Ryan Kiesel, a Democrat from Seminole and the current vice chairman of the House Democratic caucus.
Caption:
Rep. Ryan McMullen
Copyright (c) 2007 Oklahoma Publishing Company
Author: Jennifer Mock
Section: NEWS
Page: 16A
Copyright (c) 2007 Oklahoma Publishing Company