Statewide exposure boosts Askins in gov. race
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - As Oklahoma's lieutenant governor for the last four years, Jari Askins has been riding in parades, cutting ribbons and visiting festivals and fish fries from one corner of the state to the other.
But experts say that exposure alone wasn't enough to help Askins pull out an upset victory in this week's Democratic primary for governor. They also cite an energized ground game, a flurry of last-minute automated telephone calls and face-to-face politicking in northeastern Oklahoma.
All of that combined to help Askins edge longtime Attorney General Drew Edmonson by fewer than 1,500 votes - or less than six-tenths of 1 percent of the votes cast.
Askins will face Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin in the Nov. 2 general election, ensuring Oklahoma's first female governor will take office in January.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - As Oklahoma's lieutenant governor for the last four years, Jari Askins has been riding in parades, cutting ribbons and visiting festivals and fish fries from one corner of the state to the other.
But experts say that exposure alone wasn't enough to help Askins pull out an upset victory in this week's Democratic primary for governor. They also cite an energized ground game, a flurry of last-minute automated telephone calls and face-to-face politicking in northeastern Oklahoma.
All of that combined to help Askins edge longtime Attorney General Drew Edmonson by fewer than 1,500 votes - or less than six-tenths of 1 percent of the votes cast.
Askins will face Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin in the Nov. 2 general election, ensuring Oklahoma's first female governor will take office in January.
