Women to head GOP, Democratic tickets in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – One broke the gender barrier in Oklahoma politics, holding a statewide seat for a dozen years before winning two terms in Congress. The other succeeded her at the lieutenant governors office and narrowly defeated the states 16-year attorney general in the states top political matchup — so far — of 2010.
Now, both will face each other in a general election matchup that has happened only three times in U.S. history: two women, each backed by a major political party, facing off for their states top elected post.
After winning their primary elections late Tuesday, Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin and Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins also ensure that Oklahoma will see its first woman elected governor in November.
New Mexicos race for governor also will feature two women backed by Democrats and the GOP this year, but only Nebraska and Hawaii have had such races before.
"Its very exciting," University of Oklahoma political science professor Keith Gaddie said. "Its one of the few ever all-women gubernatorial elections in the nations history and the first for Oklahoma. These dont happen very often. Not one, but two women nominated by the major parties, and both former lieutenant governors."
Both women gave up their posts to try to replace Democratic Gov. Brad Henry, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits.
Askins edged Attorney General Drew Edmondson in the Democratic primary by fewer than six-tenths of 1 percent — about 1,500 votes — with all but three of the states 2,244 precincts reporting unofficial results.
In the GOP primary, Republicans rejected anti-Washington sentiment, selecting Fallin instead of a tea party-backed conservative who once called for the creation of a state militia to protect state sovereignty.
"This race is about electing a conservative governor," Fallin said after winning the Republican ...