Word got out quickly, she said.

"Well, everything begin to happen then, and the rest of my campaign is history."

Following Hibdon's award, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft and Sen. Jonathan Nichols thanked the group for their efforts.

Wesselhoft, serving his second term in the House of Representatives, said he was excited by the upcoming legislative session.

"I have a full plate of bills that I'm going to be working on," he said.

Nichols predicted the GOP would take control of the state Senate. "We can take over the Senate this year and I look forward to working toward that goal."

A former staffer for Congressman Tom Cole, state Rep. T.W. Shannon, a Lawton Republican, introduced a video by Cole. Cole praised the group and said his late mother, Helen, would be pleased by their work.

"My mother would be honored," he said. "She was a selfless, strong woman."

The group also honored Don and Pat Allen for with a Lifetime Achievement Award and named former House member Thad Balkman as the Republican of the Year.

M. Scott Carter 366-3545 scarter@normantranscript.com