A Democratic state senator from Oklahoma City who has been a leading liberal voice in the Senate has announced her plans to run for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tom Coburn.
Flanked by family and friends, Sen. Connie Johnson announced her candidacy on Tuesday and said: "It's time for a change."
The 61-year-old Johnson is the first high-profile Democrat to announce plans to run for the seat, which is heavily favored to remain in Republican hands. A Democrat hasn't been elected to an open U.S. Senate seat in Oklahoma since David Boren in 1978.
Among the Republicans seeking the post are two-term U.S. Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma City, former House Speaker T.W. Shannon of Lawton, and former state Sen. Randy Brogdon of Owasso.
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