The valet parking at a local celebrity's home last Thursday night was a tip that this is prime fundraising season in Oklahoma.

The governor's race is a year away and the announced candidates are already hitting their stride. Candidates want to have cash on hand when they begin the election year.

Congresswoman Mary Fallin led the pack, according to fundraising reports posted by The Associated Press. She reported raising nearly $418,000, far ahead of Sen. Randy Brogdon, a fellow Republican.

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins led fundraising in the Democratic camp. She raised more than $405,000 in the reporting period, about $40,000 more than Attorney Gen. Drew Edmondson.

While Ms. Askins and Ms. Fallin are close in their efforts, Mr. Edmondson has passed the $1 million mark in total fundraising. If the two women were to get their party's nomination and no strong third-party male candidate emerges, it would be a historic race to put the first woman in the Oklahoma governor's office.

They won't be the first women to attempt the race. In 1994, state Sen. Bernice Shedrick ran for the office. In 1998, Norman's Laura Boyd was the first woman to receive a major party nomination for the governor's race.

Twenty-three states have elected female governors, including Texas and Kansas.