By M. Scott Carter

Transcript Staff Writer

Democrats will turn back a GOP drive to take control of the state Senate this fall, the Senate’s former leader predicted this week.

Lexington Senator Cal Hobson — who served as Senate president pro tempore from 2002 to 2005 — said Republican efforts to take control the Oklahoma Senate for the first time since statehood will not only fail, but also cost the GOP a seat in the effort.

“We’re going to hold all our seats and even pick up an additional one,” Hobson said Wednesday. “We’ve got a good chance to get rid of Randy Brogdon. We came within two percentage points last time. This cycle, I believe we’ll do it.”

Hobson said Brogdon, of Owasso, was politically weak because he was “more interested in the TABOR initiative” than in serving his district. “And that could be his undoing.”

With their slim, 26-22 margin, Senate Democrats have been on the defensive all year. But Hobson said GOP Senator Nancy Riley’s late summer switch lifted spirits and changed the face of the election. “Picking up Senator Riley’s seat was huge. It was an incredible boost to morale, and a major PR victory.”

However, before Democrats can plan victory celebrations, they must hold several key seats, including:

• District 26 in southwestern Oklahoma, which covers parts of Beckham, Caddo, Greer and Jackson counties and all of Kiowa, Tillman and Washita counties.

• District 32 in Lawton, and all of Comanche County.

• District 18 which includes parts of Mayes, Tulsa and Wagoner counties.

• District 12 which includes Creek County and a portion of Okfuskee county.

• District 2. which covers Claremore and portions of Mayes and Rogers counties.

• District 24 with portions of Cleveland, Grady, McClain and Stephens counties, including portions of Duncan and Moore.

• District 16, Hobson’s seat which covers Cleveland and a portion of McClain County.