OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former state senator who ran unsuccessfully for governor four years ago has abandoned his gubernatorial bid and now says he's running for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn.
After weeks of speculation, Randy Brogdon of Owasso formally announced through email and social media Monday his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Messages left on Brogdon's cellphone and campaign headquarters were not immediately returned.
In a statement, Brogdon said the country was facing a spending crisis and criticized current U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as being "complicit" in growing government and adding new debt.
The 60-year-old Brogdon was a tea party favorite who served two terms in the Oklahoma Senate before running unsuccessfully for governor against Mary Fallin in 2010.