Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson to run for governor in 2018

By SEAN MURPHY - Associated Press - Monday, April 24, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gary Richardson, a trial lawyer from Tulsa who spent more than $2 million of his own money in a failed bid as an independent for Oklahoma governor in 2002, said Monday he will run again in 2018, this time for the Republican nomination.

Bashing Oklahoma’s turnpike system and touting the need for a detailed audit of every state agency, Richardson sounded a populist tone and promised to put the interests of Oklahomans ahead of partisan politics.

“I will lead with Republican values, because that’s who I am,” Richardson, 76, said before a group of about 50 supporters at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. “It’s time to come together, focus on what’s best for the state, not what’s best for a party.”

A two-time Republican nominee for the U.S. House in 1978 and 1980, Richardson was appointed U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma by then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

“If he thinks I’m good enough to fill the job, you folks should,” Richardson quipped.

He then started his own law firm in Tulsa that specializes in personal injury claims and boasts of having won more than $500 million for its clients.

Richardson has been a longtime critic of Oklahoma’s system of toll roads, arguing that they benefit out-of-state bond holders instead of the Oklahoma residents.

“Folks, the turnpikes are a scam on our state, pure and simple,” he said.

Richardson ran as an independent in 2002 against Democrat Brad Henry and Republican Steve Largent and won more than 14 percent of the vote in the race won by Henry. Richardson said he expects he may have to spend as much as $2.5 million of his own money on his campaign.

Republican Gov. Mary Fallin can’t seek a third term in office because of term limits. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb filed paperwork earlier this month indicating he also plans to seek the GOP nomination, and Republican State Auditor & Inspector Gary Jones also is considering the race.

Democrats who have announced plans to run include House Minority Leader Rep. Scott Inman, former state Sen. Connie Johnson and retired auto mechanic Norman Brown.