With the exception of the District 12 seat, Hobson said the Senate’s incumbent Democrats are safe.

“Republicans are barking up the wrong tree. The only place where there might have a slight chance is Senate District 12. And with a strong economy and a great candidate — well, we’re not giving up that district without a big fight.”

Additionally, Hobson predicted Republicans would fail in their attempt to take Senate District 24.

“You’re not gonna outwork Daisy Lawler,” he said. “Mr. Sikes may be a terrific candidate, but this district takes in four counties, and the heart of it is in Stephens and Grady County. Sikes is from the wrong part of the district and he’s up against a great senator.”

Still, even with quality candidates and a strong economy, Hobson said Democrats have a great deal of work to do. “There is a lot at stake this year,” he said. “Democrats will have to work as a team.”

In Norman, Hobson said Democrats will have to put aside “individual personalities” and work to keep the Senate Democratic. “I’ve spoken with more people than I can count,” he said. “My wife is making phone calls. We’re going to help bring the warring parties together and unite.”

Charges of negative campaigning have haunted the Senate District 16 race since July.

Following John Sparks’ successful bid for the Democratic nomination in Aug. 22 primary runoff election, a group calling itself “Citizens for Campaign Integrity” ran newspaper ads decrying “the politics of personal destruction” and criticizing Sparks’ campaign for its tactics.

Hobson said local Democrats have planned a unity picnic at Reaves Park on Labor Day in an effort to “bring people back together.”

People are going to have to work together, he said. “The stakes are much greater than the individual. There’s too much too lose.”

M. Scott Carter

366-3545

scarter@normantranscript.com