OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A four-term Republican state representative from Guthrie is challenging House Speaker Jeff Hickman in the race to become the next speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Rep. Jason Murphey confirmed Tuesday he was the only candidate to challenge Hickman, a Republican from Fairview. The 72-member House Republican caucus will meet behind closed doors on May 5 to select the speaker-designate who will lead the caucus for the next two years.
Hickman won an election earlier this year against Enid Rep. Mike Jackson to become speaker after former Speaker T.W. Shannon stepped down to focus on his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Murphey was a Jackson loyalist who was replaced by Hickman as chairman of a House committee after Hickman’s election.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.