Energy wasn’t a key issue in any of the statewide races in Oklahoma but it certainly was referenced by some of the celebrating politicians Tuesday night. U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb both spoke of it as they celebrated their statewide victories.
Senator Inhofe mentioned energy as he gave his victory speech in Oklahoma City.
“Obama’s war on fossil fuels—you know about that,” said the Senator to cheering supporters. “Here we are, we could be totally independent in the State of Oklahoma and the United States of America if we didn’t have Obama’s war on fossil fuels. That’s oil, coal and gas and with a Republican majority in the Senate, we’re gonna change that.”
And change they might because the GOP majority means Inhofe will be one of the top Republicans on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, a committee now chaired by Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California. Louisiana Senator David Vitter, another Republican is the ranking minority member, who on the minority website says he wants to promote a common-sense and balanced approach to a fact-based energy and infrastructure policy that harnesses the power of America’s job creators to grow and maintain a strong economy.
The Republicans picked up at least six seats in the Senate and it could be extended depending on what happens in Louisiana’s runoff race between Democratic incumbent Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican challenger and Congressman Bill Cassidy. The runoff election will be December 6. Neither received 50 percent or more so the runoff is necessary.
In celebrating his re-election Tuesday night, Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb took note of the impact the oil and gas industry has on Oklahoma’s economy as well as the nation’s.
“In the last four years, our state’s had the lowest statewide unemployment of any state with a population of 2 million or more,” he told his supporters. “Throw out that last qualifier and kick out North Dakota and they’re doing well because of our oil and gas companies in Oklahoma.”
