Tulsa Oilman Tom Atkinson Files for Bridenstine’s 1st District Seat

Tulsa energy executive Tom Atkinson is challenging Jim Bridenstine for the 1st District congressional seat.

Atkinson filed Thursday morning to oppose Bridenstine, a two-term incumbent, in the June 28 Republican primary.

“The people of Oklahoma deserve a representative who is a proven leader that will work with others to turn our conservative ideas into real policy solutions,” said Atkinson, the brother-in-law of Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett.

Bridenstine, who filed Wednesday after retaining the 1st District congressional seat without opposition in 2014, said he intends to keep his pledge not to seek more than three terms.

Atkinson is a project manager for The Williams Companies, Inc. He is a former Air Force officer, a former white-collar crime federal prosecutor and former bankruptcy judge.