A second-term state senator from south Oklahoma City is launching a challenge for the top leadership post in the state Senate.
In an email to his colleagues last week, Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey says he intends to challenge Sen. Mike Schulz of Altus for the job of president pro tem of the Senate.
Shortey says he's concerned about a concentration of power in the Senate in the hands of a few top leaders and that he supports what he calls a more "bottom-up" approach.
Schulz and Shortey are competing to replace outgoing Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman. Bingman served six years as Senate leader but is being forced out of office because of term limits.
The Republican caucus is expected to elect its pro tem-designate next month.