For Todd Hiett
Race could tip state Senate balance

The Oklahoman Editorial

Published: October 15, 2006

ORDINARILY, the race for lieutenant governor draws scant attention. Lieutenant governors have come and gone with little notice from the public, and the office has rarely been a stepping stone to higher office.

This year is different. Throughout the 2006 campaign season, the race for lieutenant governor has been more visible, more interesting than usual.

On Nov. 7, voters will choose between Democrat Jari Askins, the minority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and Republican Todd Hiett, the House speaker. An independent candidate will also be on the ballot.

Hiett and Askins are qualified for the job. Both have been good public servants and both could carry on the distinguished work Mary Fallin has done for the past 12 years as she moves on to run for Congress.

In our view the nod goes to Hiett, a man with whom we've disagreed on occasion. In the past year (his last in the Legislature, due to term limits), he's matured as a leader. He and Gov. Brad Henry, although in different political parties, came together on a budget agreement that would have ended the 2006 session on time.

Senate Democrats (many of them also term-limited lame ducks) held up the people's business and forced a special session. The Senate, under Democratic control for as long as Oklahoma's been a state, has been the place where good bills go to die. This obstructionism must end.

The race between Hiett and Askins is especially important. Even if Republicans can't win a Senate majority, they might be able to equal the number of votes held by Democrats. A 24-24 tie would mean the lieutenant governor would cast tie-breaking votes, possibly including matters such as leadership positions and committee chairmanships.

Although Askins would make a fine lieutenant governor, we fear continued Democratic control of the Senate will impede the state's progress as it enters its second century.

Hiett, 39, is a small businessman, a plain-spoken and affable gentleman who's shown an ability to work with Henry and well as the most conservative Republican House members. He would function well in an office that carries few constitutional duties but much ceremonial importance and the possibility that the No. 2 state executive could become No. 1 on a moment's notice.

Askins? She, too, would function well in the role. She's more moderate than the Democrats who've been controlling the Senate. And, should Henry win another term, having a lieutenant governor in the same party as the governor has the advantage of presenting a unified front when representing the state.

Nevertheless, unity is no substitute for progress. If Senate control comes down to the political party of the lieutenant governor, the state needs Hiett in that role. Democrats have had their chance. Change is vital for the Senate, and a Republican lieutenant governor could tip the scales in the right direction.