Congressman runs for governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Congressman Ernest Istook, who is abandoning a safe seat in the U.S. House to run for governor, waltzed past three opponents Tuesday in winning the Republican nomination for the office.

After seven terms on Capitol Hill, Istook next begins an uphill fight to oust popular Democratic Gov. Brad Henry. Henry easily won his primary against only token opposition. He enjoyed a 75 percent favorable rating in a recent poll after signing a record $627 million tax cut.

On the GOP ticket, Istook won 56 percent of the vote while Tulsa businessman Bob Sullivan trailed with 30 percent.

Istook, 56, a social conservative known for pushing prayer in schools and a federal balanced-budget amendment, ran a low-key campaign in the primary, staying mostly in Washington.

In the GOP race to replace Istook, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin had 35 percent of the vote and landed in a runoff against Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, who had 24 percent.