OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican U.S. Representative Tom Cole and Attorney General Scott Pruitt are taking their names out of contention as a possible successor to retiring U.S. Senator Tom Coburn.
Both Cole and Pruitt released statements late Sunday saying they would not seek the open seat in 2014, and instead plan to run for re-election to their current posts.
A six-term congressman from Moore, Cole said his seniority in the House and seats on major committees make him more valuable to Oklahoma than he could be as a freshman senator.
Pruitt said he wants to continue fighting to restore "proper balance" between the federal and state government.
Among other Republicans expected to consider running are U.S. Representatives James Lankford and Jim Bridenstine, and House Speaker T.W. Shannon.