Lawmaker to travel state before deciding on U.S. Senate race

Oklahoma City state Sen. Andrew Rice will make a decision on a U.S. Senate race after traveling the state and talking with Oklahomans, he said Wednesday.

Senate freshman Rice, D-Oklahoma City, issued a statement saying he's been humbled and encouraged by an outpouring of support from people asking him to run for the U.S. Senate next year.

"It appears that most of you agree that Oklahoma deserves a U.S. senator who will tackle our greatest challenges with common sense, not partisan ideology,” Rice said.

Running for the U.S. Senate is difficult and he has had several conversations about it with his wife, friends and family, he said.

All have been supportive, he added.

If he decides to run, the legislator will be seeking the Senate seat held by incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, who is expected to run for re-election in 2008.